The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated in the neck just below the Adam’s apple. In spite of its size, the thyroid has a huge impact on one’s hormones, metabolism, emotions, and overall health. The thyroid produces the body’s thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which control your metabolism and promote the healthy development of many other systems in the body. In fact, a healthy thyroid keeps your heart, brain, digestive tract, muscles, nerves, and even your skin, hair, and nails in good condition. If you have a thyroid disorder, many or all of these vital body systems can be affected.
Hypothyroidism
If your doctor diagnoses you with hypothyroidism, it simply means your thyroid isn’t working as hard as it should. An under-active thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone that controls body temperature, and regulates the rate at which you burn fat and carbohydrates and produce protein. The result is that your body slows down, and you feel sluggish and less energetic.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Getting cold more easily
- Weight gain
- Pale, dry skin
- Achy muscles or swollen joints
- Constipation
- Depression
If you have any of these symptoms, your doctor can run a blood test to screen your hormone levels. Hypothyroidism is generally treated with drug therapy, and does not require surgery.
Hyperthyroidism
The effects of hyperthyroidism are just the opposite of hypothyroidism. In this case, your thyroid is working too hard and overproducing thyroid hormones, making your body run faster than it should. Hyperthyroidism causes your metabolism to speed up to an abnormal rate, resulting in:
- Rapid and unexplained weight loss
- Overheating and excessive sweating
- A rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Nervousness and irritability
- Feeling jittery and “wired” while also experiencing fatigue and muscle weakness
- Trouble sleeping
Treatment for hyperthyroidism can include medications to slow down the production of thyroid hormone, radioactive iodine to kill the thyroid cells, or surgery to remove the thyroid completely (thyroidectomy).
Nodules and Goiter
Sometimes the tissue in the thyroid will begin to grow abnormally, producing solid or fluid-filled lumps known as nodules. The thyroid may develop one or many nodules, which can sometimes be felt from outside the neck. Nodules are usually benign, or non-cancerous, but can sometimes be malignant, or cancerous. If the nodules are cancerous or very large, they will need to be surgically removed.
When the thyroid gland becomes enlarged, it is called a goiter. Although it is generally not uncomfortable, you may notice swelling in your neck, making your collars or necklaces tighter than normal. After a certain point, a goiter can interfere with your breathing and ability to swallow. A goiter may occur if you have hyper or hypothyroidism; either the thyroid grows in an attempt to make more hormones, or the thyroid cells multiply faster than they need to. If a goiter does not get smaller after hormone treatment, it may need to be surgically removed.
