Full Transcript Introduction to Thyroid Disease 0:00 Hey, I'm Dr. 0:01 Uma Naidu. 0:01 I am a Harvard trained nutritional psychiatrist. 0:04 Why am I talking about thyroid disease? 0:07 Because people have been misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions when in fact they have thyroid diseases. 0:22 Today I want to share with you signs that you may have a thyroid problem.
What the Thyroid Does 0:27 Firstly, what is the thyroid? 0:30 The thyroid is a small gland in the front of the neck that makes hormones to control how the body uses energy. 0:38 These hormones affect many parts of body including the heart, muscles, brain and digestive system. 0:45 Why is the thyroid important? 0:47 Well, thyroid hormones help keep the body's metabolism, temperature, and energy levels normal.
Common Thyroid Disorders and Risk Factors 0:55 If the thyroid makes too much or too little of a certain hormone, it can cause health problems. 1:01 Common thyroid problems, conditions like hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid. 1:10 The thyroid does not make enough hormones. 1:13 versus hyperthyroidism and overactive thyroid where the thyroid makes too much hormone. 1:20 Now who is at risk for thyroid problems? 1:24 Women, especially older adults, people with a family history of thyroid disease, those who have had head and neck surgery or radiation, 1:35 People with certain autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, pregnant women with thyroid issues.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism 1:42 Another cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune condition that you need to discuss with your doctor. 1:51 Symptoms of Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid include symptoms that can be mild and develop slowly. 1:58 Not everyone has all the symptoms. 2:01 And some symptoms can caused by other health problems. 2:04 Feeling tired or weak, gaining weight without trying, feeling cold more often than others, dry skin and hair loss, constipation, 2:14 memory problems or trouble concentrating, slow heart rate, puffy face or swelling, muscle cramps or joint pain, irregular periods in women, 2:25 depression or feeling down. 2:28 Now what about symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism 2:31 or overactive thyroid. 2:33 People can feel nervous, anxious, irritable, lose weight without trying, feel hot or sweating more than usual, fast or irregular heartbeat, 2:43 trembling hands, trouble sleeping, more frequent bowel movements, muscle weakness and changes in menstrual periods in women. 2:52 Other signs to watch for are swelling in the neck or a boiter, voice changes or hoarseness, troubled swallowing, How is a thyroid problem diagnosed? 3:03 Because symptoms can be similar to other health problems, thyroid problems are diagnosed with blood tests. 3:09 The main test measures thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH. 3:13 If T SH is abnormal, another test checks the level of the thyroid hormone T4.
How Thyroid Problems Are Diagnosed 3:21 Now when do you get tested? 3:23 Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of those at higher risk in routine screening. 3:31 Routine screening is not recommended for everyone who does not have symptoms. 3:36 Now what do you do if you think you have a thyroid problem? 3:40 If you notice several symptoms listed here, especially if they last for weeks or get worse, talk to a healthcare provider.
Testing, Treatment, and When to See a Doctor 3:48 They may order blood tests to check your thyroid function. 3:51 The most common thyroid problems that are treated with medication include those of hypothyroidism, where the main treatment is leboid thyroxine, 4:00 which replaces the misinformal. 4:03 For hyperthyroidism, treatment may include medicines, radioactive iodine or surgery depending on the cause. 4:10 In summary, thyroid problems can cause many different symptoms, but these symptoms are often mild or confused with other health issues. 4:18 The only way to be sure is to get the appropriate blood test if you have symptoms and talk to your doctor. 4:24 Hey I'm Dr. 4:25 Uma Naidu, The Moonfruit MD. 4:27 Thanks so much for watching my video. 4:29 Don't forget to like, subscribe and hit the notification bell.
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