World Thyroid Day | About Thyroid Disorder, Symptoms, Treatment

World Thyroid Day | About Thyroid Disorder, Symptoms, Treatment

25 May every year worldwide is celebrated as World Thyroid Day. This special day is celebrated to make people aware of the thyroid. World Thyroid Day was first observed in 2008 by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and the European Thyroid Association (ETA) to make people aware of the thyroid.

Thyroid produces hormones that play a role in many different systems throughout your body. When your thyroid makes either too much or too little of these important hormones, it’s called a thyroid disease. There are several different types of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Table of Contents

What is the thyroid?

thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland. The thyroid gland is present just below the throat. This endocrine gland makes hormones. Thyroid hormone coming out of this gland flows through the blood throughout our body and almost every part of the body needs it. 

According to the health expert, thyroid hormones are essential for normal functioning of body parts. Thyroid problems arise when the thyroid gland produces more or less hormones. Because of this, every cell of the body starts getting affected.  

When your thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact your entire body. If your body makes too much thyroid hormone, you can develop a condition called hyperthyroidism. If your body makes too little thyroid hormone, it’s called hypothyroidism. Both conditions are serious and need to be treated by your healthcare provider.

What does the thyroid do?

Thyroid do very important job of releasing and controlling thyroid hormones that control metabolism.

Metabolism is a process where the food you take into your body is transformed into energy. This energy is used throughout your entire body to keep many of your body’s systems working correctly. Think of your metabolism as a generator. It takes in raw energy and uses it to power something bigger.

The thyroid controls your metabolism with a few specific hormones — T4 (thyroxine, contains four iodide atoms) and T3 (triiodothyronine, contains three iodide atoms). These two hormones are created by the thyroid and they tell the body’s cells how much energy to use. When your thyroid works properly, it will maintain the right amount of hormones to keep your metabolism working at the right rate. As the hormones are used, the thyroid creates replacements.

What is thyroid disease?

Thyroid disease is a medical condition that keeps your thyroid from making the right amount of hormones. Thyroid typically makes hormones that keep your body functioning normally. When the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone, your body uses energy too quickly. This is called hyperthyroidism. When thyroid can make too little thyroid hormone. This is called hypothyroidism

What are Types Thyroid?

1. Hyperthyroidism.
2. Hypothyroidism

Who is affected by thyroid disease?

Thyroid disease can affect anyone — men, women, infants, teenagers and the elderly. It can be present at birth (typically hypothyroidism) and it can develop as you age (often after menopause in women).

You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid disease if you:

  • Have a family history of thyroid disease.
  • Have a medical condition (these can include pernicious anemia, type 1 diabetes, primary adrenal insufficiency, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and Turner syndrome).
  • Take a medication that’s high in iodine (amiodarone).
  • Are older than 60, especially in women.
  • Have had treatment for a past thyroid condition or cancer (thyroidectomy or radiation).

 

What causes thyroid disease?

Conditions that can cause hypothyroidism include:

  • Thyroiditis: This condition is an inflammation (swelling) of the thyroid gland. Thyroiditis can lower the amount of hormones your thyroid produces.
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A painless disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition where the body’s cells attack and damage the thyroid. This is an inherited condition.
  • Postpartum thyroiditis: This condition occurs in 5% to 9% of women after childbirth. It’s usually a temporary condition.
  • Iodine deficiency: Iodine is used by the thyroid to produce hormones. An iodine deficiency is an issue that affects several million people around the world..
  • A non-functioning thyroid gland: Sometimes, the thyroid gland doesn’t work correctly from birth. This affects about 1 in 4,000 newborns. If left untreated, the child could have both physical and mental issues in the future. All newborns are given a screening blood test in the hospital to check their thyroid function.

Conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism include:

  • Graves’ disease: In this condition the entire thyroid gland might be overactive and produce too much hormone. This problem is also called diffuse toxic goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).
  • Nodules: Hyperthyroidism can be caused by nodules that are overactive within the thyroid. A single nodule is called toxic autonomously functioning thyroid nodule, while a gland with several nodules is called a toxic multi-nodular goiter.
  • Thyroiditis: This disorder can be either painful or not felt at all. In thyroiditis, the thyroid releases hormones that were stored there. This can last for a few weeks or months.
  • Excessive iodine: When you have too much iodine (the mineral that is used to make thyroid hormones) in your body, the thyroid makes more thyroid hormones than it needs. Excessive iodine can be found in some medications (amiodarone, a heart medication) and cough syrups.

What common symptoms of thyroid disease?

Symptoms of an hyperthyroidism  (overactive thyroid ) can include:

  • Experiencing anxiety, irritability and nervousness.
  • Having trouble sleeping.
  • Losing weight.
  • Having an enlarged thyroid gland or a goiter.
  • Having muscle weakness and tremors.
  • Experiencing irregular menstrual periods or having your menstrual cycle stop.
  • Feeling sensitive to heat.
  • Having vision problems or eye irritation.

Symptoms of an hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can include:

  • Feeling tired (fatigue).
  • Gaining weight.
  • Experiencing forgetfulness.
  • Having frequent and heavy menstrual periods.
  • Having dry and coarse hair.
  • Having a hoarse voice.
  • Experiencing an intolerance to cold temperatures.

How is thyroid disease diagnosed?

there are tests that can help determine if your symptoms are being caused by a thyroid issue. These tests include:

  • Blood tests.
  • Imaging tests.
  • Physical exams.

Thyroid blood tests are used to see if you have:

Hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism.


Thyroid blood tests are used to diagnose thyroid disorders associated with hyper- or hypothyroidism. These include:

Thyroiditis.
Graves’ disease.
Hashimoto’s disease.
Goiter.
Thyroid nodule.
Thyroid cancer.

How to prevent thyroid disease?

If you have high levels of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), treatment options can include:

Anti-thyroid drugs (methimazole and propylthioracil): These are medications that stop your thyroid from making hormones.


Radioactive iodine: This treatment damages the cells of your thyroid, preventing it from making high levels of thyroid hormones.


Beta blockers: These medications don’t change the amount of hormones in your body, but they help control your symptoms.


Surgery: A more permanent form of treatment, your healthcare provider may surgically remove your thyroid (thyroidectomy). This will stop it from creating hormones. However, you will need to take thyroid replacement hormones for the rest of your life.


If you have low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), the main treatment option is:

Thyroid replacement medication: This drug is a synthetic (man-made) way to add thyroid hormones back into your body. One drug that’s commonly used is called levothyroxine. By using a medication, you can control thyroid disease and live a normal life.

 

When should a thyroid be examined?

According to the American Thyroid Association, the thyroid should start being examined from the age of 35 and it should be checked regularly after every 5 years. So that you can avoid this serious disease. This is for both women and men. 

Avoid such
– – To maintain a healthy weight, take a diet rich in fiber and low fat.
– Keep doing some physical activity.
– Stress causes thyroid disorders to increase, so try to avoid stress.
– Try to eat fried foods sparingly. By taking such a meal, the effect of the medicine is reduced.
– Avoid eating more sugar.
– Epinephrine and norepinephrine present in coffee promote thyroid. So it is better to make a distance from it.
– Avoid eating every type of cabbage.
– Avoid eating soy. But it is said that thyroid medicine can be consumed after 4 hours of eating.  

Reference Sites:
  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/