That would be the thyroid gland.
So if it malfunctions, it’s possible for you to have a variety of health issues.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Here are the symptoms you should watch out for that can show that the glandis overactiveorunderactive.
TheMayo Clinic saysto watch out for an “elevated blood cholesterol level” as a symptom of hypothyroidism.
TheAmerican Thyroid Association explainswhy this is.
So treatment for the condition may also help to lower cholesterol levels.
That’s because the thyroid regulates our metabolism, so if that goes awry, so can our weight.
And weight gain that people might attributeto other factors, such as getting older, may possibly be hypothyroidism.
But the thyroid may also cause gastrointestinal problems.
Dr. Block told me that bowel changes are one of the symptoms of a malfunctioning thyroid.
But if you’re having a hard time sleeping, it could be hyperthyroidism, according to theMayo Clinic.
In addition, Dr. Block said, “I also find racing thoughts before bedtime often accompany hyperthyroidism.”
That is something that we might think is psychological, but it can have a physical cause.
Another symptom to watch out for is fatigue, which can be a symptom of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.Dr.
It can be a symptom of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
So what women of a certain age may think of as menopausal hot flashes may have another cause.
Dr. Dean said that you may have dry hair as well with hypothyroidism.
and thinning skin can be a signnot just of aging, but of hyperthyroidism.
The Mayo Clinicdescribes the hand tremorsas “usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers.”
When you have a tremor, you may literally find that your hands are shaking.
You might also find that the trembling gets worse during times of stress.
On the other hand, a slower heart ratecan indicate hypothyroidism, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Mayo Clinic says it can be asign of hypothyroidism.
Dr. Ali said to pay attention to any “neck swelling” you may experience.
But you will also need to get blood tests that break down your thyroid levels.
Dr. Block explained to me theTSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) Testis what is used to diagnose thyroid issues.
A high TSH level indicates hypothyroidism and a low level indicated hyperthyroidism.
There are other thyroid tests that can be given to further determine what is going on with your thyroid.
The Free T4 Test “is really only helpful in hyperthyroidism,” Dr. Block said.
“It can often be high when the free T4 is normal in Graves' [Disease].
It is another circulating hormone in the bloodstream.”
Then there are tests to measure thyroid antibodies.
“Thyroids stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) is often seen inGraves' Disease,” she said.
“We can see it in hyperthyroidism too,” she said.
“I think of it like a key that can turn your thyroid off or on.”
The thyroglobulin antibody “is mostly seen in hypothyroidism,” she said.
So I went to my primary care physician to see what was going on.
My physician referred me to an endocrinologist, a doctor who is a specialist in thyroid issues.
He also asked me about how I was feeling.
I didn’t have all of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
For example, my hair didn’t change, and my skin stayed the same.
But I had enough of the symptoms to indicate that there was an issue.
The doctor ran more specialized blood work (TSI, T3 and T4 tests) that confirmed the diagnosis.
The reason he could tell so quickly?
My “stare,” as he called it, that he noticed as soon as he met me.
I worried my eyes would get even worse.
And I worried that I would never get my energy back.
It was a frightening time for me.
It took about six frustrating months of my endocrinologist trying different thyroid medications to get me back to normal.
Finally, we found a medication that worked.
I’m glad to finally learn that I wasn’t alone here.
It does get better.
