The thyroid, a small gland located in the neck and shaped like a butterfly, is responsible for the production of two hormones; triiodothyronine and thyroxine.
Both hormones are tasked with managing various activities in the body, e.g., how fast the heart beats and how quickly the body burns calories.
In some cases, the gland may become overactive, causing hyperthyroidism or underactive leading to a condition called hypothyroidism.
The emergence of either of these two conditions can lead to severe effects on the body. Understanding the symptoms associated with both conditions can allow for an early diagnosis.
The diagnosis will enable you to get it under control, helping to prevent the onset of various complications.
Complications Linked to an Underactive or Overactive Thyroid
Birth Defects
An untreated thyroid disorder in a pregnant woman increases the child’s risk of developing a birth defect. The child may develop serious physical and mental development issues as they grow older.
Thyroid hormones play an important role in brain development, making it necessary to have thyroid issues addressed immediately after birth. Every newborn undergoes a thyroid function test before leaving the hospital.
The doctors perform a series of blood tests to exclude various medical conditions.
Mental Health Issues
Hypothyroidism is characterized by various symptoms, which include:
- Constipation
- Poor feeding habits
- Hoarse cry
- Low muscle tone
- Swollen tongue
The above symptoms can lead to the development of mental health issues due to the mental toil experienced by the brain. If left untreated, it can cause mild types of depression, with the severity of the symptoms increasing each day.
If combined, the symptoms are likely to affect your mental state, causing the depression to intensify. When left untreated for long, it will cause your mental functions to begin decreasing.
Heart Problems
The heart’s health will become affected when you begin to suffer from thyroid problems. An underactive thyroid, for example, will increase a person’s risk of getting heart disease. The thyroid will cause bad cholesterol to begin accumulating in the body.
The accumulation of this bad cholesterol will lead to the emergence of a condition known as atherosclerosis. It’s a condition that is characterized by the hardening of arteries increasing your risk of experiencing a sudden death due to a stroke or heart attack.
Low levels of thyroid hormones will cause fluids to start building up in the area around your heart, making it harder for it to pump blood.
Myxedema
It’s a condition that occurs when thyroid problems go for a long period without any form of treatment. The condition is quite rare as most people will seek treatment as soon as they have begun to notice some of the symptoms mentioned earlier.
The condition is often almost always fatal as it begins to slow down your body’s metabolism. People with it tend to fall into a coma unless they do the right thing and seek immediate medical treatment.
Conclusion
The good news is that thyroid problems can easily be treated, provided that one seeks medical treatment as soon as possible. Make sure to go through the available treatment options with your doctor.
If you notice any of the symptoms listed in this article, consider buying Armour Thyroid here. It’s a good source of T4 and T3 hormones and comes in various dosages allowing you to address the symptoms accordingly. Consult with a GP before taking any new medication.
