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12 Crucial Ways Your Thyroid Impacts Your Health

Under: Health Concerns Library, Health Library

Does your energy dip, weight fluctuate, or mood shift unexpectedly? It could be your thyroid. This tiny gland has a major influence on how your body functions. It regulates your metabolism and affects your breathing, heart rate, digestion, and much more.

Unfortunately, thyroid problems are common these days. According to estimates, about 20 million Americans suffer from thyroid issues. Even more shocking is roughly 60% of them are undiagnosed. This leaves many people baffled by symptoms like fatigue or weight gain—without realizing their thyroid is to blame.

Suspect your thyroid could be imbalanced? Keep reading. In this article, we’ll cover how your thyroid affects your health, signs of thyroid problems, and how to find out if you have a thyroid issue.

What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland nestled in your neck. It’s part of your endocrine system—a complex group of glands and organs that make and release hormones.

Hormones act as your body’s chemical messengers. They carry signals to your organs and tissues that affect how your body functions. Each hormone affects different bodily processes.

The hormones your thyroid makes regulate your metabolism—your body’s ability to convert food into energy. Since all your organs and glands utilize this energy, your thyroid has an important job!

Thyroid

What Does the Thyroid Do?

In short, your thyroid’s job is to produce and secrete thyroid hormones. These include thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). As mentioned, your thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism. Meaning, they transform food into energy.

Every cell in your body depends on this energy to work properly. Because of this, thyroid issues can have far-reaching effects on your body. They can affect your digestion, breathing, heart rate, energy levels, and much more.

You need the right balance of thyroid hormones for your body to function optimally. When thyroid hormone levels become too high, or too low, things can go awry.

For example, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lead to low levels of thyroid hormones. This can slow down your metabolism and throw off many bodily processes. Conversely, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause high levels of thyroid hormones. This can speed up your metabolism and make your cells work harder, which can pose problems as well.

Both imbalances disrupt your body’s equilibrium and can lead to a wide range of health issues.

How Does Your Thyroid Affect Your Health?

If your thyroid isn’t working properly, it can impact how your cells utilize energy. This can disrupt the function of nearly every organ in your body.

Thyroid dysfunction can affect:

1 – Energy levels

Hypothyroidism can lead to fatigue, while hyperthyroidism may manifest as restlessness or anxiety.

2 – Digestion

Thyroid hormones affect how slowly or quickly food moves through your digestive tract. Hypothyroidism can slow digestion and lead to bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, can cause low stomach acid.

3 – Nervous system

Thyroid hormones also influence your mood and cognitive function. If they get too high or too low, it can lead to depression, anxiety, and memory issues.

4 – Body temperature

Thyroid hormones affect thermogenesis, or heat production in the body. People with an underactive thyroid often feel cold, while those with an overactive thyroid may get hot easily.

5 – Breathing

Thyroid dysfunction can weaken the muscles that help you breathe. This can lead to wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath.

wheezing

6 – Immune system

Your immune cells need the right balance of thyroid hormones to work optimally. If thyroid hormones are too high or too low, it can disrupt inflammatory processes.

7 – Heart health

Thyroid hormones affect your heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Because of this, thyroid issues can increase the risk of heart issues like high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.

8 – Weight

Hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism. This can cause weight gain, even if your diet and exercise routine remain the same. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, speeds up your metabolism. This can lead to unexplained weight loss.

9 – Skin health

Skin issues are common among those with thyroid issues. Skin may be dry, flaky, scaly, or itchy.

10 – Muscles

Low thyroid hormones can cause muscle pain, weakness, or stiffness. This affects 30 to 80% of people with hypothyroidism.

11 – Bone health

Severe hypothyroidism can lead to high bone turnover. This can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

12 – Reproduction

Thyroid dysfunction can lead to irregular periods or heavy menstrual flow in women. Thyroid imbalance can also interfere with ovulation and lead to fertility issues.

This list is certainly not exhaustive. But it should give you an idea of how pivotal your thyroid is for your health and well-being.

Is There a Link Between Thyroid Issues & Migraine?

According to research, yes. People who suffer from migraine are more likely to suffer from thyroid problems, and vice versa.

For example, estimates say that about 30% of people with hypothyroidism have a history of migraine. In comparison, only about 10% of the population suffers from migraine.

In addition, migraine and thyroid dysfunction are both far more common among women than men. Women are three to four times more likely to suffer from migraine and five to eight times more likely to develop thyroid issues.

While it’s clear there is a link between the two, the cause is not understood. If you’re a migraineur and suspect you may have a thyroid issue, consider checking in with your doctor.

How Can I Tell If I Have a Thyroid Problem?

If your thyroid is underactive or overactive, your body may send you some signals. Here are some signs of thyroid imbalance to watch out for:

Signs of Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Brain fog
Sensitivity to cold
Weight gain
Depression
Memory problems
Muscle aches or weakness
Thinning hair
Dry skin
Heavy or irregular periods
Fertility issues
Slowed heart rate
Constipation
Hoarseness

Signs of Hyperthyroidism

Unexplained weight loss
Fast heart rate
Heart palpitations
Anxiety or irritability
Nervous or restless energy
Tiredness
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
Sweating and sensitivity to heat
Fine, brittle hair
Menstrual cycle changes, like missed periods or lighter flow

Symptoms vary from person to person. They may show up suddenly or emerge slowly over time. However, some people with thyroid issues have no symptoms at all.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, you’ll want to get your thyroid tested.

How to Test Your Thyroid Health

Blood tests are the most common way to check your thyroid function. These tests may include:

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): This tests a hormone made by your pituitary gland that stimulates the production of thyroid hormone. High levels suggest hypothyroidism, while low levels point to hyperthyroidism.
Free T4 and Free T3: These tests measure the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood that aren’t bound to proteins.
Thyroid Antibody Tests: This test helps identify autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease.

Your doctor may also recommend an ultrasound to check for any structural issues. This can identify cysts, goiters, or nodules that could impair your thyroid function.

If you suspect thyroid problems, ask your healthcare provider about these tests. That way you can get a clear picture of your thyroid health.

The Bottom Line

Your thyroid might be small but its impact on your health is massive. Thyroid hormones affect everything from energy levels to digestion, heart health, and much more. Recognizing the signs of thyroid issues can help you take proactive steps toward better health. If you think you could have a thyroid problem, talk to your doctor about testing. Because in the end, a healthy thyroid means a healthier you.