Thyroid health

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of your neck that produces hormones to regulate different bodily functions. If the hormones your thyroid produces become disrupted in any way, this can lead to health problems and the development of a thyroid disorder.

Thyroid disorders cause severe health problems if left untreated and certain types, such as thyroid cancer, can be life-threatening. Some thyroid disorders may have milder symptoms but can still cause discomfort in your everyday life.

Your thyroid is part of the endocrine system which is made up of many different glands that produce hormones. Other glands within this system include the pituitary gland, the pancreas, ovaries and the adrenal gland.

The primary function of the thyroid gland is to regulate:

• Your metabolism
• Hormone production
• Your weight
• Internal body temperature
• Your skin, nails and hair growth

As the thyroid is involved in so many bodily functions, this explains why lots of different symptoms can occur when you have a thyroid disorder.

Thyroid disorders are a group of conditions that affect your thyroid’s normal function. They can have a big impact on your health and wellbeing by causing a wide range of symptoms. For example, this might include:

• A swollen thyroid gland
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Fatigue
• Cold sensitivity
• Depression
• Muscle cramps
• Dry skin
• Brittle hair and nails
• Decreased libido
• Constipation
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Difficulty sleeping
• Persistent thirst
• Heat sensitivity

These symptoms can have a negative effect on your daily life, both mentally and physically.

Plus, each different type of thyroid disorder will have different symptoms depending on their exact cause.

There are multiple different thyroid disorders you can develop — each of which has a unique set of symptoms. Therefore, finding the right treatment will depend on the type of thyroid disorder you have.

Below we detail some of the most common types of thyroid disorders.

Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, occurs when your thyroid stops producing enough of the hormones needed for your body to function properly. Common symptoms of an underactive thyroid include weight gain, depression and fatigue.

Hypothyroidism can often be misdiagnosed due to its symptoms being associated with other conditions or lifestyle factors. The symptoms of hypothyroidism can also develop slowly over time – in fact, you might not even realize there is anything wrong until your symptoms become severe.

If hypothyroidism is left untreated, the condition can result in a low-pitched voice, a slower heart rate and iron-deficiency anemia.

Hypothyroidism is often caused in one of two ways. Firstly, by your immune system attacking your thyroid gland and, secondly, from receiving thyroid gland treatment to treat either cancer or an overactive thyroid. Babies can also be born with congenital hypothyroidism but this is more uncommon.

Other potential causes for hypothyroidism include a pituitary gland disorder and taking certain medications.

Some people can be at increased risk of developing hypothyroidism, with some of the main risk factors including:

• Other health conditions, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
• Being a woman (particularly a woman over the age of 60)
• Pregnancy
• A family history of the condition

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is where your thyroid overproduces hormones. Although these hormones are necessary for your body to function healthily, too many of them can cause disruption and uncomfortable symptoms.

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include anxiety, mood swings, difficulty sleeping and an increased need to urinate. All of these symptoms might be misdiagnosed as other health conditions, which is why testing is so essential.

Although anyone can develop hyperthyroidism, it’s more common in women between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. This is thought to be due to the hormonal changes that women naturally go through during these ages, such as pregnancy, or later, menopause.

There are multiple potential causes of hyperthyroidism. These can include:

• Autoimmune conditions such as Graves’ disease
• Thyroid nodules
• Certain medications, particularly ones that contain iodine
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid)
• Thyroid cancer

Like hypothyroidism, certain people are at more risk of developing hyperthyroidism. This includes:

• Pregnant women
• People with a family history of the condition
• Patients with autoimmune conditions
• Patients with a history of chronic illnesses like iron deficiency anaemia
• Women between the ages of 20 and 40 years old

Some thyroid disorders are autoimmune disorders. This means that the antibodies from your immune system attack your thyroid by mistake.

Two of the main examples of this are Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease.

• Hashimoto’s disease causes the death of the thyroid hormone-producing cells in your body, resulting in hypothyroidism.
• Graves’ disease is an immune system disorder that leads to hyperthyroidism. It can also cause problems with your eyes such as bulging, puffiness, light sensitivity and changes to your vision.

Neither Hashimoto’s nor Graves’ disease can be cured. They are chronic, lifelong conditions that need to be managed with the right treatment plan. However, by treating hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, you can lead a life with minimal symptoms.

Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease are a result of your immune system malfunctioning, causing your antibodies to attack your thyroid tissue.

Certain risk factors can elevate your risk of this happening. These include:

• Being female
• Having a family history of the condition
• Pre-existing autoimmune conditions like diabetes
• Smoking
• Pregnancy

A goitre is a lump or swelling in your neck that’s caused by a swollen thyroid. While they are not a serious condition, it’s always best to have them checked by a doctor.

Goitres can cause symptoms such as a persistent cough, changes to your voice, difficulty swallowing and a feeling as if something is stuck in your throat.

A goitre can be caused by many different factors, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Therefore, if you already have a thyroid disorder, you can be at a higher risk of developing one.

Some other potential risk factors can include:

• Age
• Gender — women are more likely to develop them
• Being pregnant
• Menopause
• Family history of thyroid disorders
• Certain medications

Not to be confused with a goiter, thyroid nodules are non-cancerous growths that develop on, or inside, your thyroid. These can then lead to an overproduction of thyroid hormones and result in hyperthyroidism.

The main cause of thyroid nodules is an overgrowth of thyroid tissue. However, they can also be caused by other factors, such as cysts, chronic inflammation and thyroid cancer.

Risk factors for developing thyroid nodules typically include:

• A family history of thyroid disorders
• Iron-deficiency anaemia
• Smoking
• Obesity

Thyroid cancer is rare in the UK and, like other forms of cancer, can range in its level of severity.

Some of the main symptoms of thyroid cancer can include:

• A hard, painless lump in the front, lower part of your neck
• A sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain or pressure in your neck
• A red face
• Soft stools or diarrheia
• Weight loss
• A cough

There are four different types of thyroid cancer — papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is the rarest form, with papillary carcinoma being the most common.

In most diagnosed cases of thyroid cancer, the cause is unknown. However, some factors can increase your risk of developing it. These can include:

• Having a pre-existing thyroid condition
• Having a family history of thyroid cancer
• Having a previous non-cancerous breast condition

While it’s not always possible to prevent thyroid disorders, there are certain things you can do to minimize your risk.

Here are some top tips to help you maintain a healthy thyroid:

• Limit highly processed foods
• Ensure you consume enough iron in your diet
• Give up smoking
• Have regular health check-ups with your doctor — this enables early treatment

While these changes won’t guarantee you don’t develop a thyroid disorder, they can lower your overall risk.

Treatment for thyroid disorders varies depending on the type of disorder you are diagnosed with. Typically, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are treated with medications to either suppress or increase hormone production in the thyroid gland.

For other conditions, like thyroid cancer, your treatment plan will depend on the type and grade of thyroid cancer you have. Some of the treatments involved with this can include radiotherapy or surgery to remove the thyroid gland completely.

With so many different thyroid disorders, being correctly diagnosed will ensure you find the right treatment plan for you.