Located at the base of the neck, the thyroid is the butterfly shaped gland that is part of the endocrine system and releases certain hormones that help regulate systems throughout the body. These hormones affect metabolism, help regulate breathing and menstrual cycles, regulate how blood pumps, control body temperature and heart rate and can even affect your mood. The thyroid also contributes to the physical development that occurs in childhood including growing taller and gaining muscle.
The hormones are distributed via the bloodstream. If these hormones get out of whack, it can throw off the rest of the body. There are several common conditions that can be caused by a malfunctioning thyroid.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the hormones distributed by the thyroid are too high. This can lead to an increase in heart rate and metabolism. In addition to possible unintentional weight loss, hyperthyroidism can also cause rapid heartbeat, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, bulging eyes, thin skin, and an unusual sensitivity to heat and high temperature causing excessive sweating. Hyperthyroidism occurs in 1-3% of the U.S. population.
Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and afflicts 1 in 200 people. This autoimmune disorder is caused when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland causing it to make too much of the hormone that regulates metabolism. It is a hereditary condition but is most common in women between 20 and 30. Treatment can include beta-blockers which can regulate heart rate and anxiety, antithyroid medicines which control the amount of hormones the thyroid produces, and surgery to remove the thyroid if those methods fail.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the hormones regulated by the thyroid are too low. This causes heart rate and metabolism to decrease. In addition to slow heart rate, weight gain and fatigue, people with underactive thyroid can also find it difficult to focus and retain information, have dry skin and hair, suffer from diarrhea and/or constipation, have heavy menstrual periods and joint or muscle pain.
The autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s Disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and affects about 5 in 100 Americans, with it being most often diagnosed in middle-aged women. This condition occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland and with it, its ability to produce those important system-regulating hormones our bodies rely on. There is no cure for Hashimoto’s Disease, but hormone replacement therapy can help relieve symptoms.
Goiter
A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland and is caused by iodine deficiency. Goiters can happen to anyone at any age and occur most where access to iodine rich foods is scarce. If a goiter grows large enough it can cause swelling in the neck which can make it difficult to breathe or swallow. Surgery is the most common treatment.
Thyroid Cancer
In the United States, about 12,000 men and 33,000 women get thyroid cancer each year, and about 950 men and 1,100 women die from the disease. Thyroid cancer mostly occurs in those aged 20-55 and is often diagnosed after pregnancy or menopause. There is no direct known cause for thyroid cancer but exposure to radiation near the gland and certain hereditary genetic conditions can increase risk.
If you notice a lump or swelling on the side of the neck, have trouble breathing or swallowing or become hoarse for seemingly no reason, contact your healthcare provider to schedule a thyroid test. There are also a variety of at-home thyroid tests available by mail.
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Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/graves-disease/
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/graves-disease
https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-thyroiditis-hashimotos-disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519536/
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-disease