Thyroid disease can sneak up on you. It may begin with barely noticeable symptoms, or cause common problems like fatigue and weight gain. The longer the disease goes untreated, the higher your risk of developing serious complications, like heart disease or infertility.

If you have questions about your symptoms or thyroid health, connect with Dr. Jelena Petkovic. Meanwhile, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about thyroid disease, including the most common symptoms and steps you can take to keep your thyroid gland healthy.

About your thyroid gland

Your thyroid gland uses iodine and tyrosine (an amino acid) to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), collectively called thyroid hormones.

Virtually every cell in your body depends on thyroid hormones. They regulate critical functions, including:

    Metabolism
    Body weight
    Heart rate
    Digestion
    Blood vessel health
    Muscle strength
    Cholesterol levels
    Menstrual cycles
    Body temperature
    Growth and development

If your blood levels of thyroid hormones go above or below the normal range, you’re at risk of thyroid disease.
Symptoms of thyroid problems

You develop different symptoms depending on whether you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism:

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones. An underactive gland is most often caused by an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease.

You may also develop hypothyroidism due to thyroid surgery, radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, and as a result of hyperthyroidism treatment.

If you have hypothyroidism, your metabolism slows down and you have symptoms such as:

    Fatigue
    Dry skin
    Sensitivity to cold
    Weight gain
    Constipation
    Hoarseness
    Muscle weakness
    Muscle aches
    Joint pain
    Thinning hair
    Memory loss
    Heavy or irregular menstrual periods

An underactive thyroid also puts you at risk of complications, including infertility, an enlarged thyroid (goiter), heart disease, and nerve damage.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive gland that’s producing too many hormones. This condition also frequently occurs due to an autoimmune disease, Grave’s disease. However, an inflamed thyroid gland and hormone-producing nodules may also cause hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism causes symptoms such as:

    Difficulty sleeping
    Thinning skin
    Sensitivity to heat
    Unintentional weight loss
    More frequent bowel movements
    Rapid heartbeat
    Irregular heartbeat
    Tremors
    Sweating
    Brittle hair
    Anxiety or depression
    Light or infrequent menstrual periods

Without treatment, an overactive thyroid can lead to a goiter, heart failure, osteoporosis, and an eye condition, Graves’ ophthalmopathy. In addition to dry, red eyes, this condition causes double or blurry vision, light sensitivity, and bulging eyeballs.

Diagnosing thyroid disease

Diagnosing thyroid disease begins with a review of your medical history and symptoms along with a physical exam. Blood tests are critical, but identifying your thyroid problem requires more than the standard lab tests typically performed.

We run functional lab tests that detect total T3 and total T4, free T3 and free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), the hormone released by the pituitary gland telling your thyroid when to boost hormone production.

Obtaining this information is the only way to accurately identify your hormone levels and the cause of your symptoms.

Preventing thyroid disease

You can take several steps to lower your risk of developing thyroid disease. For starters, thyroid conditions often have a genetic component. But even if you have a genetic tendency, you can still change the outcome.

Your lifestyle has a direct impact on your genes. The foods you eat, whether you regularly exercise, your emotional and mental health, and exposure to environmental toxins have the ability to turn genes on and off. They don’t change your DNA (your genetic tendency), but they can prevent thyroid disease by activating or deactivating the genes.

To promote thyroid health, you should:

    Follow an anti-inflammatory diet
    Protect your gut health (with fiber and probiotics)
    Not eat raw cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts)
    Stop smoking (chemicals in cigarettes disrupt with thyroid gland function)
    Avoid sweetened foods and high-fructose corn syrup
    Take dietary supplements
    Limit processed foods
    Avoid endocrine disruptors

Endocrine disruptors are environmental chemicals that affect your thyroid function. The three most common are phthalates (in fragrances and soft plastics), bisphenol-A (BPA), which is primarily in hard plastics, and perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). PFCs are found in new carpeting, waterproof clothing, leather products, and some nonstick cookware.

Though you may need to monitor your iodine consumption, you should do that under our guidance. Most people don’t have an iodine deficiency. Taking extra iodine when you don’t need it can trigger hyperthyroidism.

Your thyroid hormones control incredibly complex systems that are vital for your health. If you experience any symptoms, don’t wait to get your thyroid function tested. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jelena by sending a message online or writing to her personally at drjelena@drjelenapetkovic.com.