Your Thyroid May Be Talking—Time to Listen
Most of us typically don’t talk about or even think about our thyroid. Usually, conversations around our thyroid gland tend to take place when we can’t seem to kick those extra pounds, feel tired, moody, and sluggish, or notice changes in our hair and skin. Since every cell of our body requires thyroid hormones for proper functioning, it’s important to recognize certain warning signs and properly test thyroid hormone levels.
Demystifying the Thyroid The thyroid is a multi-talented, butterfly-shaped gland found in our neck. Its main role is to regulate your body’s ability to break down food and convert it into energy. It takes orders from the pituitary gland (via the hormone TSH) to produce thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). Common symptoms of improper thyroid function include:
- Sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, insomnia, and brittle hair (Hyperthyroidism)
- Fatigue, lethargic, weakness, weight gain, hair loss, chills, and mood sensitivity (Hypothyroidism)
Importance of Testing Thyroid Levels If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect it's your thyroid, it’s important to receive proper testing to rule out other issues and to prevent further thyroid damage. Talk to a specialist like Infinity Wellness Center about ordering the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test. Your doctor may order up to 6 thyroid tests that can diagnose hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism by testing the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood and by measuring hormones secreted by the thyroid itself. These tests will determine if your thyroid blood levels fall within a healthy range and may shed light on why you are experiencing many of the above symptoms.
Thyroid health, dysfunctions, and testing is a dense subject. It is best to speak to a thyroid specialist like the doctors at Infinity Wellness to better understand testing and the results.
For additional information on thyroid gland and what it does for you, read HERE
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