What is Thyroid Dysfunction?

Thyroid disease is a general term for a medical condition that keeps your thyroid from making the right amount of hormones. Your thyroid typically makes hormones that keep your body functioning normally.

When the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone, your body uses energy too quickly. This is called hyperthyroidism. Using energy too quickly will do more than make you tired — it can make your heart beat faster, cause you to lose weight without trying and even make you feel nervous. On the flip-side of this, your thyroid can make too little thyroid hormone. This is called hypothyroidism.

What are the signs and symptoms of Thyroid Dysfunction?

Unfortunately, symptoms of a thyroid condition are often very similar to the signs of other medical conditions and stages of life.

The possible signs that may help you out are:

• Experiencing anxiety, irritability and nervousness.
• Having trouble sleeping.
• Weight loss
• Having an enlarged thyroid gland or a goiter.
• Having muscle weakness and tremors.
• Extreme fatigue
• Gaining weight.

Immediately contact your doctor if you notice any such signs.

What are the causes of Thyroid Dysfunction?

A pituitary disorder

A defective thyroid

Certain chronic conditions also may increase your risk of thyroid dysfunction, including Graves disease

Diagnosis of Thyroid Dysfunction

To diagnose thyroid dysfunction, your doctor will review your personal and family medical history, perform a thorough physical evaluation.

Some tests that are normally done are as:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced in the pituitary gland and regulates the balance of thyroid hormones — including T4 and T3 — in the bloodstream. This is usually the first test your provider will do to check for thyroid hormone imbalance.
• Thyroid antibodies: These tests help identify different types of autoimmune thyroid conditions.

What are the complications of Thyroid dysfunction?

A few of the comorbidities you may face with thyroid dysfunction are:

• Left untreated, thyroid dysfunction may lead to Goiter,infertility,mental health issues,Heart problems .Tell your doctor if your signs and symptoms aren't improving despite treatment for Thyroid Dysfunction.

Prevention of Thyroid Dysfunction

Preventing and treating illnesses that can become the risk factor for Thyroid disease is the best way to curb out it's complications. Make sure to change a few of your lifestyle habits and do regular physical exercise (not intense one). Talk to your doctor and take the help of a dietician who can suggest a decent diet to avert Thyroid Dysfunction. A diet is a healthy component of Thyroid treatment in Ayurveda!