Your thyroid, while small in size, is an extremely important component of your body. If it is not functioning normally, you may experience a lot of health issues. If you suspect you may have problems with your thyroid, you should visit a health clinic to get examined and tested. Here is an explanation of the symptoms you may have if your thyroid is not working right, the tests your doctor may use to diagnose the issue, and the treatment options available.
Symptoms of thyroid issues
One of the main signs of thyroid issues is problems with weight gain or weight loss. If you are doing everything possible to lose weight or gain weight and are having no luck, this may be a good indication of a thyroid issue. In addition, you may also be suffering from thyroid problems if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Your hair is thinning
- You suffer from constipation
- Feeling fatigued
- Aching in your muscles
- Feeling more depressed than usual
Tests used to diagnose thyroid issues
The most common method for diagnosing thyroid issues is through a blood test; however, this the results can sometimes be misleading due to the fluctuations with the way your thyroid produces hormones throughout the day. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test is the first one your doctor may suggest. This will reveal the amount of hormones your thyroid produces.
In addition to a blood test, your doctor may also ask you questions about the symptoms you feel, and the length of time these have been occurring.
Treatment options available
The treatment used will depend on the issues your thyroid has. If your thyroid is not producing enough hormones, this is called hypothyroidism, and this is the most common form of thyroid problem. This is commonly treated with oral medication. The medication is typically a form of synthetic hormones, which are used to replace the hormones your body is not producing.
Hyperthyroidism is the opposite, and it occurs when your body produces too many hormones. Antithyroid medications are commonly used to treat this condition, because they prevent the thyroid from overproducing hormones. Another treatment option for this is having your thyroid removed, but this option is only used when medication is not helping.
If you believe you might have a thyroid problem, you should contact a health clinic like Orange Beach Walk-In Medical Care to schedule an appointment. This will help you find out what is wrong with you, and this is the first step to getting treatment for your health issues.
Share