Is It My Thyroid?

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, which is a good thing, because many of us aren’t aware of our thyroid—or its function—at all.

Until it isn’t functioning as it should.

According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.

Where is my thyroid? And what does it do?

Your thyroid is a hormone-producing gland locate in the middle of the lower neck. This small gland produces a hormone that influences every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. The thyroid regulates the body’s metabolism (the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients and oxygen) and affects several critical body functions, such as energy level and heart rate.

Normally, your thyroid doles out just the right amount of hormone to keep your body running smoothly, according to Harvard Health. But, sometimes, things can be off. And sometimes that “off” feeling is related to a malfunctioning thyroid that could mean:

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition caused by the thyroid gland not producing enough thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition caused by the thyroid gland producing too much thyroid hormone.
Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder and type of hypothyroidism that is genetic and estimated to affect one percent of the population.

Should I have my thyroid checked?

Thyroid issues can sneak up on us. Symptoms are often vague, or could be caused by many other health issues. If you feel that some of the following symptoms are bothersome, check with your healthcare provider. The good news, according to the American Thyroid Association, is that most thyroid diseases can be managed with medical attention.

The National Institutes of Health flags these signs of an underactive thyroid:

Constant tiredness
Cold intolerance
Loss of appetite
Weight gain
Slow pulse
Enlarged thyroid gland
Depression
Dry skin
Brittle fingernails
Hair loss
Constipation
Joint pain
Heavier menstrual periods
High cholesterol
Carpal tunnel syndrome

The Mayo Clinic lists these signs and symptoms of an overactive thyroid:

Enlarged thyroid gland
Heat intolerance
Exhaustion
Emotional changes (insomnia, anxiety that is sometimes mixed with depression)
Nervousness
Excessive perspiration
Excessive thirst
Excessive hunger
Weight loss
Racing and irregular heartbeat
Fast pulse
Hand tremors
Muscle weakness
Diarrhea
Eye problems
Lighter menstrual periods
Infertility
Generalized itching (with or without hives)

A word about thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer, compared to other types of cancer, is relatively rare and most thyroid cancers respond to treatment, although a small percentage can be very aggressive, according to the American Thyroid Association. Thyroid cancer might not cause any symptoms at first. But as it grows, it can cause signs and symptoms, such as swelling in your neck, voice changes and difficulty swallowing.

Thyroid disease and women

Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health, which highlights ways that thyroid disease can impact women, including:

Problems with menstrual periods. Your thyroid helps control your menstrual cycle. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can make your periods very light, heavy, or irregular.
Difficulty getting pregnant. When thyroid disease affects the menstrual cycle, it also affects ovulation.

Issues during pregnancy. Thyroid problems can cause health problems for the mother and the baby.

Sometimes, symptoms of thyroid problems are mistaken for menopause symptoms. Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, is more likely to develop after menopause. The good news is that a simple screening test to determine the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone can determine whether your thyroid is functioning properly.

Pro Tip: It’s dangerous to treat a healthy thyroid, so don’t assume that your thyroid is the issue behind your brittle nails or dry skin—symptoms that could be related to something as passing as winter weather. Simple drugstore or even home remedies might do the trick, but if symptoms multiply or worsen, it’s worth making an appointment with your healthcare provider.