Thyroid Disorders: Symptoms, Testing, and What You Need to Know

Thyroid disorders can affect your overall health in many ways. The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that produces hormones crucial for regulating your body’s metabolism. When it’s not working properly, it can cause various symptoms and health issues.

What are the symptoms of thyroid disorders, the necessary testing for diagnosis, and some important information you should know?

Are You Experiencing Any of These Symptoms?

Thyroid disorders can present a wide range of symptoms. Here are some common signs to watch out for:

Nervousness or Anxiety: Feeling unusually anxious or nervous can be a sign of a thyroid problem.
Palpitations: Experiencing a fast or irregular heartbeat can be linked to thyroid issues.
Increased Sweating: Excessive sweating, even in cool conditions, might indicate a thyroid disorder.
Diarrhea: Frequent or chronic diarrhea can be a symptom of an overactive thyroid.
Hair Loss: Losing more hair than usual could be related to thyroid health.
Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss might be a sign of a thyroid disorder.
Hand Tremors: Shaking hands can indicate a problem with your thyroid.
Shaky Feeling or Trembling Inside: An internal sense of trembling could be due to thyroid issues.
Difficulty Focusing: Trouble concentrating or focusing can be a symptom.
Foggy Memory: Experiencing memory problems or brain fog might be related to thyroid function.
Restlessness: Feeling unusually restless or agitated can be linked to thyroid health.
Irregular Menstrual Periods: Changes in menstrual cycles might indicate a thyroid problem.
Muscle Weakness: Feeling unusually weak in your muscles can be a symptom.

If you have any of these symptoms, it might be time to consider getting your thyroid checked.

What Testing is Necessary?

To diagnose thyroid disorders, doctors usually recommend a series of tests:

Blood Tests: These are the most common tests for evaluating thyroid function. They measure levels of:

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): This hormone stimulates the thyroid to produce other hormones.
T4 (Thyroxine): This is one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid.
T3 (Triiodothyronine): Another primary hormone produced by the thyroid.
Free T4 and Free T3: These tests measure the unbound, active hormones in your blood.
Thyroid Antibodies: These tests check for autoimmune disorders affecting the thyroid.
Reverse T3: This test helps evaluate if your body is converting T4 into T3 properly.

Basal Body Temperature: Dr. Broda Barnes, a physician ahead of his time, found that measuring your body temperature upon waking up could be a good indicator of thyroid activity. He discovered over 50 years ago that a low basal body temperature often points to low thyroid activity (hypothyroidism). This test can be done at home with a simple thermometer.

How to Test Your Basal Body Temperature

Here’s a simple guide to checking your basal body temperature:

1. Get a Basal Thermometer: You can find these at most drugstores.

2. Take Your Temperature First Thing in the Morning: Before getting out of bed, place the thermometer under your tongue for a few minutes.

3. Record Your Temperature: Do this for several days to get an accurate average.

4. Compare Your Results: Typical basal body temperatures should be between 97.8 and 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Consistently lower temperatures might indicate hypothyroidism.

Find out more about Find out more about Daniels journey here

“I found out I had something wrong with my thyroid I came in and had to do some blood work and then yeah I find out it …..I guess very comforting that I was able to come in and find out finally what was wrong with me….. I’m just very grateful that I’m on track now and thankful for everyone here at Angel Longevity yeah so thank you Dr. Mathur”

What to Do Next?

If you suspect you have a thyroid disorder based on your symptoms or basal body temperature, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can perform the necessary blood tests and provide a diagnosis. Early detection and treatment of thyroid disorders can significantly improve your quality of life and overall health.

Thyroid disorders are manageable with the right treatment and lifestyle adjustments. Whether it’s medication, dietary changes, or other therapies, managing your thyroid health is crucial for your well-being. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned or have concerns about your thyroid, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider for advice and testing.