Your thyroid is a body part you probably don’t pay much attention to. After all, a properly functioning thyroid keeps numerous bodily functions running smoothly.
Understanding the symptoms of thyroid disease can help you recognize a problem in its early stages so you can get the treatment you need. At Elk Medical in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Saka Kazeem offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for thyroid issues.
Your thyroid is a gland that sits at the front of your neck, just above your voice box and below your Adam’s apple. A key component of your endocrine system, your thyroid produces several important hormones.
These hormones work together to regulate metabolism, the rate at which your body converts food into energy. One type of thyroid hormone regulates the volume of calcium in your blood.
Here are some bodily functions that thyroid hormones regulate:
It should come as no surprise that thyroid issues cause symptoms that affect numerous aspects of your health.
Let’s take a closer look at some common indications of thyroid dysfunction. If you experience these changes, you should come in for a diagnostic assessment.
One of the most common symptoms of a thyroid problem is hypersensitivity to temperature changes.
People who produce too few thyroid hormones feel cold even when others are comfortable. People who produce too many thyroid hormones often sweat and feel uncomfortable even in mild weather.
Over the years, you get to know how your body works and what it takes to put on or take off weight. If you’re gaining or losing weight without changing your diet or activity levels, it may be due to changes in your thyroid function.
The heart typically beats unnoticed. So, if you begin to notice an unusually fast or slow heart rate, it may be that your thyroid is producing more or fewer thyroid hormones than usual.
Your body and brain need restful sleep to thrive. When something disrupts your rest, you feel it day and night. One sign of thyroid dysfunction is difficulty falling asleep, including feeling restless as you try to settle in. Another symptom is fatigue throughout the day.
When your thyroid functions properly, your skin reacts to changes in the immediate environment.
However, if your thyroid produces too many hormones, you might experience sweaty or clammy skin even when the temperature is comfortable. Abnormally low thyroid hormone levels can leave your skin unusually dry.
A reason people often live with thyroid issues for years before being diagnosed is that symptoms can have non-thyroid causes. For example, restless sleep, a quick heart rate, and weight loss can result from a period of stress in your life; in fact, it may be your thyroid.
If you experience changes in how you feel or function daily, our team can check your hormone levels and determine if a thyroid condition is to blame. If so, we can start you on a treatment path that delivers results.
Booking a visit with Elk Medical is fast and easy. Call our Crown Heights office or schedule your appointment online today.
