The thyroid is a very small gland located at the base of the neck that has the function of producing particular hormones, thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These thyroid hormones play an essential role in the proper functioning of many body functions such as blood circulation, body temperature, heart rate, digestion, or brain function.

In any case, and given its predominant role for the body, thyroid dysfunction leads to multiple symptoms. What are they? Why does the thyroid malfunction? How to prevent and treat these malfunctions?

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Symptoms that should make you think about thyroid dysfunction

Dysfunctions of the thyroid are due either to the slowing of its activity (hypothyroidism) or, on the contrary, to its faster than normal functioning (hyperthyroidism). Hypothyroidism is the most common dysfunction that most often affects women over 40 years of age or during pregnancy.

When the thyroid becomes lazy, the person concerned may experience great physical and intellectual fatigue, lose hair, become chilly, gain weight, be more prone to constipation, have swollen face and eyes, memory holes, itching, hypertension, have a rise in cholesterol levels, a decrease in libido. Abnormal overactivity of the thyroid leads to nervousness, mood swings, insomnia, excessive sweating, or tachycardia.

Several types of examinations make it possible to detect dysfunction of the thyroid gland :
  • palpation of the neck that allows in particular to detect thyroid nodules
  • a blood test that can measure the hormones produced by the thyroid gland and detect abnormalities
  • a cytological puncture that involves taking cells from a nodule and analyzing them
  • scintigraphy that allows the injection of a radioactive product to detect nodules

Causes of thyroid dysfunction

The causes of thyroid dysfunction are different depending on the type of disorder.

In case of hypothyroidism

Two main causes are the cause of this type of malfunction :
  • Hashimoto's thyroiditis: it is a genetic disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and prevents it from functioning properly
  • iodine deficiency: this chemical element present in the diet (salt, fish, seafood, algae, etc.) is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid.

In case of hyperthyroidism

  • Basedow's disease: it is a disease that is characterized by a disorder of the immune system that has the consequence of abnormally stimulating thyroid hormones
  • thyroid nodules: these are increases in volume in the thyroid gland such as a cyst, localized inflammation, or thyroid cancer. These nodules lead to excessive production of thyroid hormones
  • inflammation of the thyroid gland
  • a significant administration of thyroid hormones in the context of, for example, the treatment of goiter (invasion of nodules in the thyroid)

How to prevent dysfunctions of the thyroid gland?

A good lifestyle can help prevent thyroid disease. Stress and anxiety are some of the factors of these diseases. It is, therefore, appropriate to learn to control one's emotions by practicing for example yoga or meditation. On the other hand, to fill the iodine deficiency essential for the manufacture of thyroid hormones, it is important to give preference to all foods that contain it such as fish, crustaceans, dairy products, eggs, or cold cuts. Too much iodine deficiency can also be brought by dietary supplements.

Endocrine disruptors present in the diet such as soy or peanut flavonoids should be avoided because they prevent the proper assimilation of iodine in the body. Pesticides, freshwater fish often contaminated with chemicals, water stored in plastic bottles are also to be consumed with caution.

It is advisable not to smoke because tobacco does not mix well with the thyroid: nicotine and smoke Toxins can lead to goiter and smokers are twice as likely to develop Basedow disease.

Treatments depend on the type of thyroid dysfunction

Treatments for diseases related to thyroid dysfunction depend on the detected pathology that can be hormonal (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism) or morphological (nodules, goiter, thyroid cancer). Disorders due to hormonal pathology are treated by taking a lifetime drug therapy of synthetic hormones for hypothyroidism or antithyroid drugs for hyperthyroidism. Nodules and goiter need to be monitored regularly and if cancer is suspected, the thyroid is surgically removed, but this is only considered in case of cancer or recurrence of hyperthyroidism.