The thyroid gland has a huge impact on many functions of our body..

At the same time, malnutrition, unfavorable ecology, heredity and other factors increase the risk of thyroid diseases..

According to Western experts, in women after 35 years, the probability of thyroid disorders exceeds 30%..

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, today at least 30 million people in the United States (nearly 10% of the country's population) suffer from various thyroid diseases, and half of them - 15 million people - have latent forms, and therefore remain undiagnosed.. Women are 10 times more likely to have thyroid problems than men.

Located above the Adam's apple, the thyroid gland produces iodine-containing hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which play an important role in the regulation of metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, etc.. With reduced (hypothyroidism) or increased (hyperthyroidism) activity of the gland, the level of thyroid hormones is disturbed, and this affects many processes in the body..

The reasons for such changes can be an autoimmune process, pregnancy, stress, nutrient deficiency, environmental toxins.. Because thyroid problems can affect organs ranging from the brain to the gut, diagnosis can be tricky..

What to pay attention to?

you are exhausted.

Feeling tired and lack of energy are common complaints that can be associated with dozens of diseases, but they are often signs of hypothyroidism.. If you notice that you still feel tired after a night of good sleep, this is an occasion to examine the thyroid gland..

you are depressed.

Feeling unusually low mood and depression may be signs of a thyroid hormone deficiency.. Why? It is believed that low levels of thyroid hormones affect the level of the “feel good hormone” serotonin in the brain.. With hypothyroidism, many body systems are less active, and your brain reacts accordingly..

Do you feel anxiety.

If you are constantly " At this time, your metabolism, nervous and cardiovascular constantly receive stimulating chemical signals from the thyroid gland..

Your appetite and taste have changed.

Increased appetite can be a sign of hyperthyroidism - high levels of thyroid hormones make you feel hungry all the time. The only "

On the other hand, if your thyroid is underactive, your taste and smell may change..

You find it difficult to concentrate.

Of course, this may be due to lack of sleep or simple aging, but cognitive functions are largely dependent on the activity of the thyroid gland.. Many women think that cognitive problems are just a part of menopause, but sometimes there is something else behind it..

An excess of hormones can lead to difficulty concentrating, and a deficiency can lead to forgetfulness and poor thinking.. When people with hypothyroidism begin to treat their condition, they are surprised at how quickly their minds regain their former sharpness..

You have lost interest in sex.

Too little sexual desire, or even its complete absence, is one of the consequences of hypothyroidism.. A low level of thyroxine is a factor in reducing libido, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism do not favor love joys: weight gain, weakness, body pain.

Do you feel the flutter.

With an excess of thyroid hormones, you may feel like your heart is beating too hard, too fast, or even skipping beats.. You may notice strong throbbing in your chest and neck.. The fact is that thyroid hormones actually spur the heart and make it beat faster..

Your skin is drying up.

Dry skin and itching can be symptoms of hypothyroidism. Changes in skin texture are caused by slow metabolism due to hormone deficiency. Reduced secretion of skin glands leads to dry skin, and nails can become brittle.

Your gut has become unpredictable.

People with hypothyroidism sometimes complain of constipation. The fact is that a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones slows down the processes associated with the digestion and promotion of food.. In general, according to AACE experts, constipation is 1 of the 3 main symptoms of hypothyroidism..

On the other hand, excess hormones cause diarrhea or simply need to go to the toilet more often than usual.. This is one of the main signs of hyperthyroidism..

ten. Your periods have changed.

A longer menstrual cycle, soreness, and heavy discharge are possible signs of hypothyroidism, when the body does not have enough thyroid hormones.. It must be borne in mind that with heavy bleeding, the risk of anemia also increases..

In hyperthyroidism, high hormone levels cause irregular periods.. They may become shorter and the discharge very scarce. Endocrinologists always recommend paying attention to changes in the menstrual cycle as one of the indicators of thyroid problems..

eleven. Are you experiencing muscle pain?.

Sometimes you overload at the gym or at work - in these cases, muscle pain is natural and understandable.. But if you have sudden tingling, numbness, or pain in your arms and legs, it could be a sign of hypothyroidism.. Over time, a lack of thyroid hormones damages the nerve cells that send pain signals to the brain.. The result of such damage is tingling and other discomfort..

12. You have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can be a symptom of thyroid disease, as well as many other diseases.. According to some reports, people with hypothyroidism have a 2-3 times higher risk of developing hypertension.. According to one theory, a low level of hormones slows down the heartbeat, in response to this, the force of contractions of the heart and the reaction of vascular smooth muscles change.. Both hyper- and hypothyroidism can lead to serious problems..

13. Your thermostat is off.

Feeling cold is often associated with thyroid hormone deficiency.. "

On the other hand, in people with hyperthyroidism, the body produces too much heat, so they often feel that it is hot around them and they sweat profusely..

fourteen. Change in appearance and voice.

A change in your voice or a feeling of " One way to check this is to look at your neck in front of a mirror or do a home thyroid self-exam, which, by the way, can be found on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website.. Or just go to the doctor.

fifteen. Your sleep is disturbed.

Want to sleep all the time? This is characteristic of hypothyroidism. Suppressed thyroid function may be associated with weakness and daytime sleepiness.

If, on the contrary, you cannot sleep at night, this can be due to hyperthyroidism - a high level of thyroxine causes anxiety, nervousness, an accelerated heartbeat, and you are able to pass half the night.

16. you gain weight.

If you try not to break the regime, but still notice weight gain, this is an occasion to talk with your doctor.. In the US, unexplained weight gain in women is one of the main reasons why patients come to endocrinologists for thyroid checks..

On the other hand, weight loss combined with maintained or increased appetite is a possible symptom of hyperthyroidism..

17. Your hair is thinning and falling out.

Dry, brittle hair can also indicate a lack of thyroid hormones in the body..

Their deficiency leads to disruption of the hair growth cycle and switches the hair follicles into rest mode.. As a result, the hair becomes sparse, even the eyebrows suffer.. In the US, this information is very well known to the public.. American endocrinologists admit that often their patients come to check the thyroid gland, because they were sent by a stylist or hairdresser..

eighteen. Unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant.

If you've been trying for a baby for a long time and numerous medical tests are normal, your thyroid may be the cause.. Many women have problems conceiving - it's a problem with thyroid hormones. Both hyper- and hypothyroidism can affect ovulation and fertility. In addition, many thyroid diseases lead to serious pregnancy complications..

19. You have high cholesterol.

An elevated level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is not associated with dietary errors, is another indicator of hypothyroidism.. High levels of " Untreated hypothyroidism leads to heart problems such as heart failure and other dangerous complications..

Take care of your health and visit your doctor regularly!

medbe. en.