Different organs will require different kinds of care for optimal health and well-being. Are you looking for the best way to keep on top of your overall health? If so, then understanding how to get a clear picture of what’s going on with your body is essential. While some things are easy to check with an annual GP exam, others are not. For example, a thyroid test is the most accurate health test to determine if you have thyroid problems, yet many are not even aware it exists! If you are a thyroid newbie, here are the crucial details to know about.
How common are thyroid health issues?
Most people don’t think about their thyroid health until forced to do so. Yet, thyroid issues are more common than most people might believe. Since the thyroid handles regulating the speed of your body cells and their work, having it in good health is important(1)!
There are a few common thyroid disorders possible in otherwise healthy people. These include:
- Thyrotoxicosis: This disorder means your thyroid is circulating too many hormones throughout the body.
- Thyroid enlargement: This means your thyroid is enlarged. About 15% of the UK population suffers from this and does not know!
- Hypothyroidism: This condition implies that your thyroid is underactive.
- Hyperthyroidism: This condition means your thyroid is overactive.
Many people are generally familiar with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. However, both need an advanced understanding to help show how they impact thyroid health!
What is hypothyroidism?
As mentioned above, this is when your thyroid does not produce the right amount of hormones. Without the right amount of hormone to put the work, the thyroid would then be considered underactive. This is most commonly diagnosed in women but can also be present in men and children.
Hypothyroidism comes with a few symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and weight gain. These symptoms are often mild, making a thyroid test a great choice to help you know what’s happening in your body in real-time.
What is hyperthyroidism?
This is essentially the opposite of hypothyroidism. It means that your body produces too much of the hormone, causing your cells to work overtime. Much like hypothyroidism, this condition most commonly impacts women instead of men and children, but it can appear in anyone at any age.
The symptoms of this condition, also often subtle, include anxiety, sore eyes, intolerance for heat, and weight loss.
Keeping on top of your thyroid health
Doing what you can for your body starts with being mindful of your thyroid health. Some tips below help you take proper care of your thyroid throughout your life.
Ask your GP about top thyroid health tips
There is no one better qualified, from a personalised health perspective, than your GP when it comes to giving you accurate, detailed advice on your medical needs. Prioritise a good relationship with your GP. And ask their thoughts and opinions on what you can do daily for your thyroid’s health.
As well, talk to them about your family history. If you have thyroid problems in your genes, it might be an even better reason to consider a thyroid test since the earlier you know about your thyroid levels being out of their normal ranges, the better. Generally, the earlier you detect a thyroid problem, the easier it can be corrected.
Take care of your general health
The better you care for your health overall, the better your thyroid will be supported. Focus on details like eating a varied, nutritious diet and staying hydrated. Be mindful of your weight and maintain a healthy exercise routine. Both of these are great for your entire body and its organs.
Educate yourself about your thyroid
One other thing you can do is take some time to learn about your thyroid, what it does, and how to take proper care of it. This is a great way to increase your knowledge of your body. There is so much helpful information on the internet these days that you will be able to find lots of advice. You will even be able to find recipes that help “target” thyroid health! These will help you take daily steps toward caring for it properly.
Your optimal well-being should factor in your thyroid health, even if this is the first time you’ve heard about it. With this information to guide you, you’ll be well on your way to learning how to properly care for your thyroid! This also will remind you how personalised information can help you. The rest is whatever you make of it!