What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Problems, and When Should I Get Checked

Signs Your Thyroid Might Be Out of Balance: What You Need To Know

The thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, plays an enormous role in your overall health. 

  • Metabolism and Energy Production
  • Growth and Development
  • Weight Stability
  • Gastrointestinal motility

When the thyroid malfunctions, it can lead to a wide range of health issues that often go undiagnosed. A domino effect happens when the thyroid is threatened. 12% of Americans will experience a thyroid condition at some point in their lives. Know what to look for and who to go to when your body starts showing signs of a sluggish or even overactive thyroid.

Many ways the Thyroid Dysfunctions 

The thyroid gland produces two main hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones influence nearly every cell in your body, regulating your metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. 

  • Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid produces too many hormones, speeding up the metabolism.
  • Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder characterized by an UNDER active thyroid gland, which fails to produce sufficient thyroid hormone T4 and/or T3.
  • Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is low thyroid hormone production caused by auto-antibodies
  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is NORMAL hormone production but present auto-antibodies.
  • Most difficult to diagnose are patterns that involve other mechanisms like under conversion of T4 hormones to active T3, Iodine deficiency, elevated reverse T3,  low pituitary  hormone levels or chronic inflammation.

Common Symptoms to look out for:

The symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can vary widely depending on whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive. Below are some of the most common symptoms associated with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms:

  1. Fatigue and Weakness: One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is feeling constantly tired or weak, even after a full night’s sleep.
  2. Weight Gain: Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight can be a sign of an underactive thyroid.
  3. Cold Intolerance: If you find yourself feeling cold when others are comfortable, it could be due to a slowed metabolism caused by hypothyroidism.
  4. Dry Skin and Hair: Hypothyroidism can cause your skin to become dry and your hair to become brittle.
  5. Depression and Mood Swings: An imbalance in thyroid hormones can disrupt your mood, triggering feelings of depression or irritability. 
  6. Constipation: A sluggish thyroid can slow down your digestive system, leading to constipation.
  7. Memory Issues: Hypothyroidism can also impact cognitive function, leading to memory lapses or difficulty focusing.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms:

  1. Rapid Heartbeat / Palpitations: An overactive thyroid can cause your heart to race or beat irregularly.
  2. Weight Loss: Despite eating more, you may experience weight loss due to a heightened metabolism.
  3. Heat Intolerance: Hyperthyroidism can make you feel warmer than usual or sweaty even in cool environments.
  4. Nervousness and Anxiety: An excess of thyroid hormones can lead to feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or irritability.
  5. Tremors: Slight shaking, usually in the hands or fingers, is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism.
  6. Increased Appetite: Hyperthyroidism can cause a significant increase in appetite, leading you to feel hungry more frequently.
  7. Insomnia: Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep is a common sign of hyperthyroidism.

When Should You Visit a Thyroid Specialist? 

Given the wide range of symptoms associated with thyroid problems, it can be challenging to know when to help in learning how to manage your symptoms. However, there are certain situations where it’s particularly important to get your thyroid checked:

  • Persistent Symptoms: If you have persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, it’s crucial to get your thyroid checked. These symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually, so pay attention to changes in your body.
  • Family History: If you have a family history of thyroid problems, you’re at a higher risk of developing them yourself. It’s a good idea to schedule regular thyroid screenings with your healthcare provider.
  • Postpartum: Women who have recently given birth are at a higher risk of developing postpartum thyroiditis, a condition that can cause temporary hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
  • Age Considerations: As you age, the risk of thyroid dysfunction increases. It’s recommended that women over the age of 60 and men over the age of 70 get their thyroid checked regularly.
  • Other Health Conditions: Certain conditions, such as type 1 diabetes or autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease, increase your risk of thyroid dysfunction. If you have these conditions, regular thyroid screenings are important.

Causes of Thyroid Problems

Understanding the causes of thyroid problems can help in both prevention and treatment. Several factors can contribute to thyroid dysfunction:

  1. Autoimmune Disorders: Autoimmune diseases are one of the leading causes of thyroid problems and always sit on top of gut issues or infections/illness. 
  2. MIcrobiome issues: Inactive T4 is converted to Active T3 by a healthy microbiome. Your thyroid also has hormone receptors to estrogen and an imbalance in the gut bacteria can disrupt the ESTROBOLOME which affects your hormone Estrogen, this can have a negative effect on your thyroid. 
  3. Iodine Deficiency: Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production. A deficiency in iodine can lead to hypothyroidism, while excessive iodine can cause hyperthyroidism. You should have regular consumption of sea veggies like kelp to keep your iodine balanced.
  4. Genetic Factors: Thyroid problems often run in families, indicating a genetic predisposition to these conditions of lifestyle factors.
  5. Radiation Exposure: Exposure to radiation, especially to the head and neck area, can increase the risk of thyroid cancer and other thyroid problems.
  6. Medications: Certain medications, such as lithium and amiodarone, can interfere with thyroid function.
  7. Thyroid Surgery: Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland can result in hypothyroidism if the remaining gland can’t produce enough hormones.
  8. Pituitary Gland Disorders: The pituitary gland produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which regulates the thyroid. A pituitary disorder can affect TSH levels and, subsequently, thyroid function. This happens especially if you have chronic inflammation as that affects the functioning of the brain.

What Does it Look Like to Be a Patient? 

At The Healing Center, our thyroid specialists focus on personalized, holistic treatments that address the root cause of your thyroid dysfunction. We look at the whole body, not just your thyroid. After we do an extensive examination, our doctors put together a unique and comprehensive protocol specific to YOU. This might include: 

    • Heal your GUT: It’s critical to have a healthy microbiome to convert inactive T4 into active T3, that means no infections… especially hidden or low grade ones…not eating foods that inflame, having 50-250 different types of plant fibers/ month and having a calm nervous system(Vagus Nerve).
    • Nutrition Plan: A low-inflammation nutrition plan will kickstart the clean up of your system by eating low allergen,organic whole foods to nourish your body and address nutrient deficiencies.
  • Supportive Supplements: There is never a “one size fits all” here. We carry multiple brands of supplements to make sure our patients get what their body needs. Addressing deficiencies, supporting pathways and function with herbs, utilizing “kill” and “nourish” protocols  for the microbiome and supporting energy production at the mitochondria.
  • Detox support: We are cleaning up your system, part of that is with detoxing. This detox support may be through our therapies or specific supplements.
  • Therapies: At The Healing Center we have a wide range of therapies that can support your body with energy, detox, or calming your nervous system–all of these are a part of healing your thyroid! 

How Often Should You Get Checked?

For most people, it’s recommended to get your thyroid levels checked every year, especially if you’re over the age of 60 or have a family history of thyroid problems. However, if you have any of the risk factors mentioned earlier, more frequent screenings may be necessary. At The Healing Center, we can help you determine the best screening schedule based on your individual risk factors and health status.

These lab tests should include: 

TSH, T3, FT3, reverse T3 and T4, FT4 as well as TPO antibodies and antithyroglobulin antibodies. This lets you see where the dysfunction is actually happening.

Conclusion

Thyroid problems can be complex and often go undiagnosed due to the wide range of symptoms that can mimic other conditions. However, our thyroid specialists at The Healing Center are dedicated to helping you manage your health and preventing further complications. 

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above or have risk factors for thyroid disease, it’s important to get checked. At The Healing Center in Denver, we take a personalized, holistic approach to thyroid health, ensuring that you receive the care and support you need to thrive. 

Don’t wait – schedule your screening with our thyroid specialist in Denver, and take the first step towards better health.