Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Problems

For as long as I can remember, my mother has been struggling with her thyroid health. She suffered from all of the normal symptoms - weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, fatigue, etc. These frustrating traits started to impact both her physical and mental health the longer they continued and the worse they got but were always attributed to other health concerns.

A few years ago, however, my mother was fed up with these symptoms, so she decided to do her own research. Knowing our family history of thyroid problems, my mother looked online and found that almost all of her symptoms sounded like something called hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland. Armed with new info to bring to her doctor, they ran some tests and determined that she was in fact, suffering from hypothyroidism.

Nowadays, my mom is taking thyroid medications to help alleviate some of her symptoms, but I always wondered what her life would be like if she had never done the research into her thyroid health. 

The first step she took, should be the first step everyone takes - start with recognizing the signs and symptoms of thyroid conditions. 

When healthy and working properly, the typical thyroid function essentially works like this: 

1. Initiated by the pituitary gland - The pituitary gland, often termed the "master gland," situated at the base of our brains, not only produces its own hormones but also directs other glands on hormone production. Among these is thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), released into the bloodstream, instructing the thyroid gland on the production of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). TSH production by the pituitary gland adjusts based on detected T3 and T4 levels in the blood, responding to signals from the hypothalamus, located above the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus generates thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), signaling the pituitary gland to release TSH, which, in turn, prompts the thyroid to create thyroid hormones.

2. TSH reaches the thyroid gland - Following the pituitary gland's instruction to the thyroid, enzymes in liver, brain, and kidney tissue begin converting inactive thyroxine into active triiodothyronine through deiodination (enzymatic conversion). As per the Society for Endocrinology, "The thyroid gland produces just 20% of the high active T3, but it produces 80% of the prohormone T4." Both triiodothyronine and thyroxine are essential for regulating metabolism , affecting how quickly we process food, heart rate, body temperature, and more.

3. Operates on a feedback loop - The interaction among the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and thyroid gland, often termed the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT), functions within a reactive loop. The Society for Endocrinology clarifies that this loop maintains stability in thyroid hormone levels in our bodies, stating, "This hormone production system is regulated by a feedback loop so that when the levels of the thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) increase, they prevent the release of both thyrotropin-releasing hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone."

This process is characteristic of a healthy, balanced body with a properly functioning thyroid gland. Disruptions in thyroid hormone levels or miscommunications within the HPT axis could lead to significant health issues.

• Nervousness, anxiety, and irritability

• Tremor — typically, fine trembling in your hands and fingers

• Sweating

• Changes in menstrual patterns

• Increased sensitivity to heat

• Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements

• An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), possibly appearing as a swelling at the base of your neck

• Fatigue, muscle weakness

• Difficulty sleeping

• Skin thinning

• Fine, brittle hair

Several factors could lead to excessive T4 production in your body, such as:

• Graves' disease - An autoimmune condition where the immune system generates antibodies that stimulate the thyroid to overproduce thyroxine or T4.

• Overactive thyroid nodules - At times, thyroid glands can develop lumps called adenomas, producing excess thyroid hormones. Adenomas may be the cause of T4 overproduction in some hyperthyroidism cases.

• Thyroiditis - Inflammation of the thyroid gland, which may occur post-pregnancy or due to autoimmune disorders. In cases of thyroiditis, inflammation can lead to the release of excess thyroxine into the bloodstream.

• Muscle weakness

• Elevated blood cholesterol level

• Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness

• Pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints

• Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods

• Thinning hair

• Slowed heart rate

• Depression

• Impaired memory

Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)These symptoms usually develop over a number of years and may be attributed to other health concerns or age, making hypothyroidism slightly more difficult to catch and treat. One may develop hypothyroidism for a number of reasons including:

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis - Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system produces antibodies that may affect the thyroid gland and cause swelling and inflammation. The thyroid gland may then produce less T3 and T4, potentially leading to hypothyroidism.

  
  

• Thyroid surgery - Some individuals need to have part of or all of the thyroid gland removed, thus preventing the gland from producing the necessary thyroid hormones. These individuals may need to take supplemental hormones for the rest of their life.

• Radiation treatments - According to the Mayo Clinic, "radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect your thyroid gland and may lead to hypothyroidism."

  
  

• Certain medications - Certain medications such as lithium have been linked to potential impacts on hormone levels produced by the thyroid gland.

  
  

• Over-response to hyperthyroidism treatment - Sometimes those with hyperthyroidism are given radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications to slow the overproduction of thyroid hormones. After the thyroid returns to normal, however, treatment can go too far and potentially cause hypothyroidism.

If you believe that you are experiencing signs or symptoms of a thyroid problem, talk to your doctor about getting tested and possible treatment options. They may order a blood test to test for thyroid hormone levels in the blood. This test is referred to as a thyroid function test, and tests for both thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine in the blood. According to the National Health Service, "An imbalance in TSH and T4 levels in the blood could suggest a potential thyroid issue. If your test results show raised TSH but normal T4, you may be at risk of developing a thyroid condition in the future.

It is advisable to be mindful of foods high in iodine, gluten, soy, and caffeine if you have concerns about thyroid function, as suggested by Healthline.

For individuals with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), incorporating foods rich in zinc and selenium is important, similar to those with an overactive thyroid. The primary distinction lies in iodine intake .

Individuals with an underactive thyroid may also experience low iodine levels, making it beneficial to include these foods to support thyroid health and function:

• seaweed

• eggs and egg yolks

• fish

• sushi

• iodized salt

• cheese

Those with hypothyroidism should AVOID : 

• highly processed foods (hot dogs, snack cakes, etc.)

• all varieties of millet

• soy and soy-based foods

• Goitrogens (compounds that interfere with thyroid function) like cabbage, broccoli, peaches, and strawberries 

You can explore a list of food s beneficial for thyroid health, focusing on nutrient-rich options that support overall well-being

• Iron - Similar to zinc, iron is a mineral essential for the conversion of T4 into T3. Iron deficiency has been associated with hypothyroidism and thyroid disease.

  
  

• B vitamins - Specifically, vitamin B12 is recognized for its potential impact on thyroid health as it "plays an important role in red cell metabolism." Additionally, low levels of vitamin B12 have been correlated with thyroid disorders. A study involving 116 participants with hypothyroidism found that approximately 40% were deficient in vitamin B12.

  
  

• Bladderwrack - Bladderwrack, a type of brown seaweed, is rich in iodine, a vital element for the production of thyroid hormones.