Interesting Topics
- Get to Know the ‘Thyroid Gland’ Better
- Warning Signs of Thyroid Risk
- 5 Types of Thyroid Diseases
- How to Check… to Assess Thyroid Disease Risk
- Treatment Methods When Abnormalities Are Found from Thyroid Disease
Get to Know the ‘Thyroid Gland’ Better
The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped located below the Adam’s apple, about 4 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The thyroid gland’s function is to produce thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, body temperature, blood lipid levels, as well as mood and feelings. The important hormones produced by the thyroid gland are Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4), which help stimulate growth, body development, control metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.
Warning Signs of Thyroid Risk
Divided into physical and mental warning signs
Physical signs
- Unusual weight gain or loss
- Fatigue, easy tiredness, palpitations
- Excessive sweating or feeling cold all the time
- Insomnia or feeling sleepy all the time
- Frequent hunger or loss of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Irregular bowel movements, frequent bathroom visits, or constipation
- Irregular menstruation
- Voice changes or swollen neck
- Numbness or unexplained muscle pain
Mental signs
- Unusually severe depression
- Anxiety
- Confused or distracted thinking
- Decreased sexual desire
5 Types of Thyroid Diseases
- Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones. It can occur at any age, causing Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) to be produced excessively to toxic levels. The main functions of these two hormones are to regulate metabolism and control calcium and phosphorus levels in the bloodstream. When produced excessively, metabolism speeds up, causing rapid and abnormal weight loss, abnormal rapid heartbeat, palpitations, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, and irritability.
- Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones than normal. It is more common with age, causing the pituitary gland to produce more TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to stimulate the thyroid gland to work harder, leading to thyroid enlargement or goiter. Patients may experience fatigue, rough and dry skin, dry hair, forgetfulness, mood swings, hoarseness, weight gain, cold intolerance, loss of appetite, and difficulty swallowing. Causes include thyroid inflammation, thyroid gland removal, intake of minerals used to treat toxic goiter, and radioactive iodine 131.
- Thyroiditis is divided into 2 types:
- Subacute type caused by viral infection such as a cold. Patients will have an enlarged thyroid gland and tenderness when palpated.
- Chronic type caused by immune system defects. Patients usually visit the doctor with an enlarged neck but no tenderness, or have a history of goiter that shrank without treatment.
- Non-toxic thyroid enlargement (Thyroid Nodule) is when the thyroid gland is enlarged but still produces hormones normally. Patients will have an enlarged neck (goiter) with cystic nodules but no other abnormalities. It is often caused by iodine deficiency.
- Thyroid cancer presents as a large lump in the thyroid gland area, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. Doctors will perform blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels and thyroid ultrasound to examine the lump in detail. The cause is unknown but is more common in women than men. Risk factors may include radiation exposure to the neck area or a family history of thyroid cancer.
How to Check… to Assess Thyroid Disease Risk
- Check TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels produced by the pituitary gland, which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine). TSH levels depend on thyroid hormone levels. If the thyroid gland produces hormones on its own, TSH will be low. If the thyroid cannot produce hormones, TSH will be high.
- Check thyroid hormones T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine), hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
- Perform thyroid ultrasound examination.
- Consult a specialist endocrinologist.
Treatment Methods When Abnormalities Are Found from Thyroid Disease
- Treatment with medication: During treatment, patients must take medication regularly to facilitate control. Irregular medication intake may worsen thyroid symptoms and make control difficult.
- Treatment with radioactive iodine ingestion: Usually considered for older patients with severe symptoms or those who relapse after medication treatment.
- Surgical treatment: This method is usually considered as a last resort for patients with very severe symptoms, significantly enlarged thyroid gland, allergy to medications, or side effects affecting blood and vascular systems.
If you experience abnormal symptoms as mentioned above or rapid changes in your body, you should promptly see a specialist for detailed examination and diagnosis of your thyroid disease risk for timely prevention and treatment.
