Fatigued or Full Throttle: Is Your Thyroid to Blame?
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People pay attention because we are going to learn something new for our bodies. So, our body is like a machine, sometimes we do work in full energy and sometimes we just don’t feel like getting out of bed. Sometimes some parts of our body need extra power or oil or maybe a gear change. Ever thought why is that? We normally think “yeah, okay it’s just not my day”, “my mood is off”, “I am tired” and we move on. But the real reason might be somehow connected to our thyroid? Wait for what? Thyroid? Really?
Alright, ladies and gentlemen please gear up and prepare your notes because we are about to explain something very important to know. It will be slightly related to Biology but don’t worry, we will make sure our simple language and easy translation keep you fully on track. Let us first learn about one of the most important parts of our body, the Thyroid. The thyroid can be explained as a butterfly-shaped gland that can be found in the neck. The gland is mainly engaged with the function of controlling the way the human body uses energy. The thyroid is said to control the metabolism, which is the process by which our body turns the consumed food into energy. The gland is also known to affect our heart, muscles, bones, and cholesterol.
Thyroid disorders range from harmless, treatable, and small disorders like goiter to dangerous and life-threatening disorders like cancer. The common problems that are related to the thyroid are mostly due to the abnormal production of the thyroid hormones. We will now take this opportunity to give out further details about the problems related to the thyroid. But do not worry, as most of the disorders related to the thyroid can be cured if diagnosed in time.
Fatigue –
For thyroid disease, fatigue is one of the common symptoms. This fatigue and the fatigue we feel after a poor night’s sleep or stressful workday are completely different. The fatigue related to the thyroid is often described as debilitating and relentless exhaustion that affects the daily functioning of the human and the body. Readers, if you find yourself needing a nap quite often or if you don’t feel refreshed even after a good night’s sleep, do not worry, you are definitely not alone. Few pieces of advice to reduce the effects of fatigue are proper thyroid medication dose prescribed by the doctor, refinement of the sleeping habits, and searching for another cause of the fatigue that you are experiencing.
Now we have to understand that fatigue and severe exhaustion can be key indications of undiagnosed or insufficiently treated thyroid conditions. Some patients may fall prey to fatigue even after proper treatment.
Let us delve right into the connection between fatigue and thyroid diseases:
Hyperthyroidism –
When the thyroid becomes overactive and produces way too many hormones, it is called hyperthyroidism. It is said to affect women five to ten times more often than men. It is most common in people younger than 4o years of age.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Disrupted sleep cycle
- Sweating
- Heat flashes
- Rapid heartbeat
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- High blood pressure
- Increased appetite.
- Double vision.
- Thin skin.
- Menstrual changes.
- goiter
- Hair loss and change in hair texture (brittle)
- Bulging of the eyes
- Muscle weakness
Hypothyroidism –
This is the situation that occurs when the thyroid under produces the hormones. The energy production of our body requires specific amounts of hormones produced by the thyroid, hence a slight drop in hormone production might lead to lower energy levels. About 25 million people are known to suffer from hypothyroidism. Older adults tend to develop more hypothyroidism than young adults.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- 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
- Goiter
Treatment for Hyperthyroidism –
- Radioactive iodine: an oral medication, which is absorbed by the thyroid gland causing it to shrink. Radioactive iodine helps in subsiding the symptoms within months. Excess radioactive iodine then vanishes within few weeks to months from the body
- Anti-thyroid medications: they reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism gradually by preventing the thyroid from overproducing hormones.
- Beta-blockers: usually these drugs treat high blood pressure, but they are beneficial in easing hyperthyroidism symptoms, such as tremors, rapid heart rate, and palpitations.
- Surgery (thyroidectomy): this is the treatment where the thyroid gland is removed surgically. The surgery can damage vocal cords and parathyroid glands.
Treatment for Hypothyroidism –
Most cases of hypothyroidism can be treated by replacing the amount of hormone that the thyroid is no longer making. Levothyroxine is a commonly used oral medication that helps increase the amount of thyroid hormone, balancing the production of hormones. Levo-T, Synthroid, etc. help reverse the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. It gradually lowers the cholesterol levels elevated by the disorder and may reverse the weight gain.
Healthy alternative:
The medications for thyroid-related problems may have various side effects. Rash, itching, abnormal hair loss, and fever, nausea, swelling, heartburn, muscle and joint aches, numbness, and headache are the side effects of medications for hyperthyroidism. Fast heartbeat, sensitivity to heat, hunger, nervousness and anxiety, shakiness, sweating, thin skin and brittle hair, tiredness, trouble sleeping, weight loss are the side effects of hypothyroidism medications. Along with side effects the use of medication has to be lifelong, otherwise, you might not get the required results.
Apart from medications your body does need proper nutrition. Take care of your body and nourish it with adequate water and proper food. The concept of health is wealth can never go wrong. We strongly believe that a healthy lifestyle can cure your body in a much better way.
Talking about alternatives, andMe offers ThyroDiet Tea!
andMe ThryoDiet Tea is an amazing product that provides the right nutrition to help the thyroid gland produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormones in the body naturally. The product is known for the natural management of thyroid hormones, no lifelong support, and absolutely zero side effects. With its unique formula, the product contains Tyrosine and Iodine, and Ingredients like Guggulu and Kachnar plus Ayurvedic herbs help the body in increased absorption of Iodine in the body for the production of T3/T4. Other 15 ingredients help manage the symptoms, improve metabolism, help in weight loss, and provide energy.
The last piece of advice, be it fatigue or throttle, make sure you follow a balanced diet, do daily exercise, and meditate for your body.
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