Do you have an underactive thyroid (“hypothyroidism”) or overactive thyroid (“hyperthyroidism”) or any other thyroid problems?
This site is dedicated to the millions of mums, dads and children around the globe who live with a thyroid disorder and want to explore new ways of controlling their condition.
The 2 most common thyroid disorders are the underactive thyroid and the overactive thyroid.
The thyroid is a gland that is shaped like a small butterfly and is located just below your larynx (voice box) with 2 lobes (the butterfly’s “wings”) which are found either side of your windpipe (“trachea”). It has a powerful effect on the body’s overall metabolism.
Despite its tiny size, it’s a vitally important organ which controls many bio-chemical reactions and produces thyroid hormone (TH), often called “the body’s metabolic hormone”. When your thyroid doesn’t function correctly, your body’s natural metabolism is thrown out of balance possibly resulting in either an underactive thyroid or an overactive thyroid. These thyroid disorders are caused by either excessive hormone production (hyperthyroidism) or a shortage of the thyroid hormone results in hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) symptoms may include weight gain; tiredness and slower reactions; sluggishness and low energy; depression; high blood cholesterol, sensitivity to the cold; constipation, blocked noses, dry, flaky skin and hair and heavy periods.
On the other hand, characteristic symptoms for an overactive thyroid sufferer include weight loss; increased heart rate or palpitations; shaky hands; unexplained anxiety and irritability; extreme sweating and heat intolerance; frequent, loose bowel movements; and muscle weakness.
Though, there is no authoritative origin of thyroid disorders, research has exposed a number of factors that may lead to either an underactive thyroid or an overactive thyroid.
Some of these factors include:
* Gender -estimates suggest that 8 times more women than men will be subjected to a thyroid disorder at some stage throughout their lives;
* Family history – thyroid disorders often run in families so if other members of yoru family have had a thyroid disorder, this would make you more prone to having similar disorders;
* Age – people of between the ages of 21-45 are more prone to be diagnosed with a thyroid disorder;
* Smoking – smokers are more resistant to treatment;
The list doesn’t end there, but it does give you an outline of the different groups that could be more likely to develop a thyroid disorder.
Females are 5 to 8 times more susceptible to a dysfunctional thyroid than males, but most are not aware that they have one. Women often ignore their symptoms or misinterpret them for symptoms of other conditions. For example, women are more susceptible to developing a thyroid disorder after childbirth. Symptoms such as exhaustion and post-natal depression are common during this period, but these symptoms are also associated with thyroid disease.
Armed with greater knowledge, each and every single on of us may lead a more active, enjoyable, healthy life. So whatever your symptoms, or if you have an underactive thyroid (“hypothyroidism”) or an overactive thyroid (“hyperthyroidism”) or any other thyroid problems, I encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences.
