You’ve probably heard of the thyroid gland, but do you know what it does? Most people aren’t usually aware of their thyroids unless something goes wrong. Thyroid trouble can cause a variety of seemingly unrelated problems, including drastic changes to weight, energy, digestion,and mood.
It’s Thyroid Awareness Month.
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Overcoming Thyroid Problems compared the thyroid to an engine. Just as an engine produces the required amount of energy for a car to move at a certain speed, your thyroid gland manufactures enough thyroid hormone to prompt your cells to perform a function at a certain rate. The thyroid influences the function of many of the body’s most important organs. Just as you tell an engine how fast to go by stepping on the accelerator, the thyroid also needs some direction; it gets this from your pituitary gland.
However sometimes things break down. When the thyroid engine runs out of gas the thyroid can’t meet your body’s demands. As your body slows down, you may feel cold, tired and depressed, and gain weight. Sometimes, the thyroid gets too revved up: it keeps churning out more thyroid hormone than you need, pushing your metabolism into overdrive and speeding up your body’s processes, This hyperthyroidism can cause your pulse to race and make you irritable.
If you notice signs of thyroid disease, talk with a health professional. Based on your family history, symptoms, and medical exam, your provider can help you decide if further testing or treatment is needed.