If you blame lifestyle for your tiredness, sleeplessness, weight, appetite… Then you don’t know about THYROID… Oh!! It can cause it all…
Why Thyroid is not a Gland you can Ignore?
The thyroid is a gland present in front of the neck. It weighs around 20 to 60 grams and has two lobes resting around the windpipe.
With much resemblance to a bow, it produces, stores, and releases two types of chormones.
Hormones: chemical messengers which control several functions of the body.
Any alteration in the levels of thyroid hormones can lead to the development of various conditions
What are thyroid hormones?
There are two hormones namely Thyroxine or T4 and Triiodothyronine or T3 which are released by the thyroid gland, whenever the need arises.
The thyroid gland releases these hormones when its levels are low in the body and it stops releasing during high levels.
Why are these hormones so important?
These hormones are required for the body’s metabolism (i.e. Conversion of oxygen and calories into energy).
Every cell in our body is dependent on these hormones for its metabolism.
Thyroid hormones regulate important functions of your body like- Breathing & Heart rate, Bodyweight, Menstrual cycles, Cholesterol levels, Body temperature, and many more.
What happens when your thyroid is under active?
This condition is also often referred to as hypothyroidism.
This thyroid gland is unable to produce enough thyroid hormones resulting in low levels of T4 and T3. This can lead to Tiredness, Weight gain, Constipation, Depression, Irregular periods, or heavy periods Being sensitive to cold.
If left untreated, this condition can cause heart problems, infertility, and obesity. In pregnant women, it can affect the mental development of the baby. Extremely low levels of thyroid hormones can cause Myxedema leading to a drop in body temperature and even coma.
Then, what about overactive thyroid?
This condition is referred to as hyperthyroidism.
In this, the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones resulting in high levels of T4 and T3
This can lead to Nervousness/anxiety, Weight loss, Mood swings, Difficulty sleeping, Fast heart rate, Sensitivity to heat.
When this condition is left untreated, it can lead to heart problems, brittle bones, eye problems, red swollen skin, and thyroid storm.
A thyroid storm is a medical emergency in which heartbeat, blood pressure, and body temperature are increased abnormally to dangerous levels.
Stressed about yourself or your loved ones? Click below the link to know the details of Thyroid related diagnostic tests provided by Thyrocare:
