That wing-shaped gland at the base of your neck is responsible for, well, more bodily functions than we could list. Here’s how to spot a problem, tailor treatment and keep an already-healthy one in shape
Think of the thyroid as your body’s equivalent of that one friend who loves nothing more than to be up in everyone’s business. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, heart rate and body temperature and has a hand in bone health, GI function, mood, fertility and more. So if the gland goes rogue? Less than ideal.
These days, it seems like everyone’s self-diagnosing a thyroid issue – likely because these disorders have vague symptoms, at-home test kits make it easy to gather data on your own and there’s growing social media dialogue about hormone health. The result? Properly diagnosing and tre ating thyroid problems becomes dicey, especially when people take matters into their own hands, says Disha Narang, an endocrinologist at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital in the US. There’s a ‘culture of misinformation’ when it comes to thyroid health, she adds. Still, these problems are a very real issue for a whopping one in eight women, making this guide to the thyroid gland a must-read.
Body clues
If something is off with your thyroid, the alert may be more like a gentle ping than a ringing cowbell. That’s because many symptoms, especially in hypothyroidism, are non-specific. Meaning: they could easily be chalked up to other factors, such as sleep-deprived nights or skimping on whole foods. So how the devil would you know? Your GP’s ears will perk up if you have not only one but a cluster of the signs below, if symptoms are persistent and new and/or if you have a family history of thyroid issues or autoimmune disease. You can then chat with your doctor about whether to get yours tested. No matter what, you deserve answers.
Are you wrapped in a blanket? Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel chilly, sluggish, achey and low in mood. Hypo sometimes leads to weight gain. Also watch for unpredictable or heavy periods; dry, flaky skin; and thinning hair all over your head (rather than in patches).
Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is like putting that podcast on superspeed. Instead of the chatter being faster, it’s your heart that flutters, metabolism that revs (cue: weight loss) and appetite and body temp that increase. You may not sleep well and may have frequent loose bowel movements.
Happy habits
There’s a lot of social media BS about interventions, especially when it comes to food and supplements. We’ve got the scoop
MYTH
You should follow a special thyroid eating plan
FACT
Healthy eating should do There are no diets proven to cure thyroid disease, says Hyesoo Lowe, medical director of the Columbia Thyroid Ce
