Get to Know Your Thyroid: The Basics

Your Thyroid: Structure and Function

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. At about two inches wide, it's similar in size to your thumb's width. While you can't see your thyroid from the outside, you can sometimes feel it if you place your fingers gently on your throat.

A gland is a specialized group of cells that produces and releases substances your body needs. Unlike organs like your heart or lungs that perform mechanical functions, glands release hormones that act as chemical messengers throughout your body.

Your thyroid works as part of your endocrine system, a network of glands that produce hormones. The thyroid creates two main hormones: T3 and T4. These hormones work together to regulate how your body uses energy, similar to a thermostat controlling your home's temperature.

The thyroid doesn't work alone: it's part of a complex communication network with your brain. Your pituitary gland, located in your brain, monitors thyroid hormone levels and sends signals to adjust production as needed. This partnership helps maintain stable hormone levels in your body.

Thyroid hormones play a role in:

• Weight regulation
• Temperature regulation
• Skin, hair, and nail health
• Energy levels
• Metabolism
• Reproductive health and fertility
• Mood and mental health

Your thyroid remains active throughout the day, constantly adjusting its hormone production to meet your body's changing needs.

Your Thyroid at Work

Your thyroid works around the clock, adjusting its activity to support your daily needs. Like a well-organized team, your thyroid coordinates with other body systems to keep you functioning at your best throughout the day.

In the morning, your thyroid helps wake up your body's systems. As sunlight signals your brain to start the day, your thyroid increases hormone production. This boost helps raise your body temperature, supports breakfast digestion, and provides the mental clarity you need to start your day.

Your thyroid maintains steady energy levels while you go about your daily activities. It helps regulate your heart rate and blood pressure as you move between tasks, whether you're climbing stairs or sitting in meetings. Your thyroid also supports muscle function during exercise and helps your body repair small amounts of tissue damage that occur during normal activity.

Your thyroid manages hunger signals throughout the day, helping you know when it's time to eat. It works with your digestive system to process nutrients from your meals, similar to how the post office sorts and delivers mail and packages to their correct destination.

As evening approaches, your thyroid activity gradually decreases to prepare your body for rest. It supports your natural sleep cycle with other hormones, like melatonin. During sleep, your thyroid continues working at a lower level, supporting essential repair processes and preparing your body's energy stores for the next day.

When your thyroid functions well, these daily processes happen automatically, keeping your body's systems in balance. However, sometimes your thyroid can produce too much or too little hormone, leading to health issues that affect your daily life.

Common Thyroid Conditions

Your thyroid can develop several conditions that affect its ability to produce the right amount of hormones. These conditions generally fall into two main categories: producing too little hormone (hypothyroidism) or producing too much (hyperthyroidism).

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid doesn't make enough thyroid hormones. Think of it as your body's engine running too slowly. People with hypothyroidism often feel tired even after a full night's sleep. They might gain weight despite eating normally, feel cold when others are comfortable, or experience brain fog and depression.

Common causes of hypothyroidism include Hashimoto's disease (an autoimmune condition), surgical removal of the thyroid, radiation treatment effects, or certain medications.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the opposite - your thyroid produces too much hormone, like an engine running too fast. Signs include unexplained weight loss, a racing heart, anxiety, and feeling hot when others are comfortable. People with hyperthyroidism might have trouble sleeping and notice tremors in their hands.

Graves' disease, another autoimmune condition, is a common cause. Some people develop hyperthyroidism after pregnancy or due to thyroid nodules that produce excess thyroid hormones.

Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules are lumps in the thyroid gland. Most nodules are small and don't cause problems, but some can affect hormone production or, rarely, may need to be checked for cancer. Your doctor can find nodules during a physical exam or through imaging tests.

The Autoimmune Connection

Many thyroid conditions are autoimmune disorders, where your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid. These conditions often run in families, suggesting a genetic component. Environmental factors like stress, infections, or certain medications can trigger these conditions. People with one autoimmune thyroid condition may be more likely to develop other autoimmune disorders.

Understanding Thyroid Symptoms

Thyroid problems can affect many parts of your body, and symptoms often develop gradually. Because these changes happen slowly, you might not notice them at first, or you might attribute them to other causes like stress or aging.

Physical changes are often the first signs people notice. Your weight might change without changes to your diet or exercise routine. You may notice your hair becoming thinner, including your eyebrows. Your skin might become dry and flaky, and your nails may become brittle. Some people develop swelling around their neck.

Your thyroid also affects your emotional well-being and mental function. You might experience unexplained depression or anxiety, or find yourself struggling to remember things. Focus and concentration might become more difficult. Sleep patterns often change - either sleeping too much or having trouble falling asleep.

Temperature regulation issues are also common with thyroid disorders. You might feel too hot or too cold in rooms where everyone else is comfortable. Fatigue that doesn't improve with rest is common, and you might notice your energy levels dropping significantly in the afternoon. Cold hands and feet, even in warm weather, can signal low thyroid function.

Some thyroid symptoms are less obvious. Changes in bowel habits, muscle weakness (especially when climbing stairs), or a hoarse voice might not seem connected to thyroid function. Women might notice changes in their menstrual cycles. A new onset of snoring or joint pain can also signal thyroid problems.

Not everyone with a thyroid condition experiences all these symptoms. You might have several symptoms or just a few. The number, combination, and severity of symptoms vary from person to person. In general, if you notice any persistent changes in your health, discuss them with your primary care doctor.

When to Call Your Primary Care Doctor

Your primary care doctor should evaluate any changes in your health that persist for more than two weeks or affect your daily activities. Pay attention to significant shifts in your energy levels, unexplained weight changes, rapid heartbeat, or changes in your mood or mental clarity.

These symptoms can indicate thyroid problems, but they might also point to other health conditions. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and appropriate tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.

If you're already receiving treatment for a thyroid condition, regular monitoring helps ensure your medication is working correctly. Most people see their doctor every 6 to 12 months when their thyroid levels are stable. Schedule an appointment between regular visits if you notice your symptoms returning or new symptoms developing - this might mean your medication needs adjustment.

Thyroid Testing and Diagnosis

Your doctor uses several tools to check your thyroid function. Blood tests measure different aspects of thyroid health. The main test checks TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels - this shows how hard your body is working to maintain normal thyroid function. Additional tests measure T3 and T4 hormone levels and check for antibodies that might indicate an autoimmune condition.

During your physical exam, your doctor will check your neck for any swelling or enlargement of your thyroid. They'll also look for physical signs of thyroid problems, like changes in your skin, hair, or reflexes.

Sometimes your doctor might recommend an ultrasound to create detailed images of your thyroid. This painless test can show the size and structure of your thyroid and identify any nodules that need attention.

Test results include numbers that show where your thyroid function falls within normal ranges. Your doctor will explain what these numbers mean for your health and work with you to determine the next steps, whether that's starting treatment or scheduling follow-up tests.

Living Well with Thyroid Conditions

Managing a thyroid condition is an ongoing process that becomes part of your daily routine. Some tips for living well with thyroid conditions include:

• Take your medication at the same time each day, usually in the morning on an empty stomach.
• Keep a simple record of your symptoms to help identify patterns or changes that you should discuss with your doctor.
• Before each medical appointment, write down any questions or concerns. Include notes about changes in your symptoms, problems with medications, or new health issues.
• Regular monitoring of your thyroid levels helps your doctor adjust your treatment as needed.
• Educate yourself on your condition. Your doctor can also recommend reliable resources for learning more.

While thyroid conditions are common, each person's experience is unique. Working closely with your doctor helps ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. With regular monitoring and good communication with your healthcare team, most people with thyroid conditions can manage their symptoms effectively and maintain their quality of life.

At MedHelp, we can support patients throughout their thyroid journey, from diagnosis to long-term maintenance. Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor to learn more. Primary care doctors at all MedHelp locations are accepting new patients for relationship-based primary care.