Whether young or old, staying in good health often includes learning about the most common issues in the body. Not only is it essential to understand what’s going on in the body, but it also helps you to learn about symptoms to watch for when you might be having an issue. Thyroid problems are among the most common issues with age. Therefore, understanding the need for accurate information on thyroid health and the role of thyroid testing can help you stay on top of it. Let’s take a look at the essentials.
Are thyroid problems common?
Thyroid problems are among the most common issues in the general population. Women are more likely to have thyroid concerns than men. Athletes, particularly those at a higher level, also are known for having thyroid problems.
No matter how you look at it, thyroid issues are considered typical in modern-day people adults!
What causes thyroid problems?
So, what’s with everyone having thyroid issues? What’s causing it? Realistically, there are a lot of different factors that can cause thyroid concerns in the body. One of the strongest links is a deficiency in vitamin D, iron, selenium, or iodine. There is also a strong connection between not eating enough (meaning your body doesn’t have enough energy) and a thyroid problem.
Having a short-term deficiency in any of these vitamins doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a thyroid issue. But long-term deficiency can increase your risk!
What are the most common thyroid problems?
Now that you understand more about thyroid problems, what are the thyroid issues? There are three main ones that are prominent in most adults and athletes, in order, include the following conditions:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Goiters/Nodules
Hyperthyroidism
This is when the thyroid overproduces its hormones, meaning it is overperforming. An example of hyperthyroidism is Graves Disease. In the UK, Graves Disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, and 60%-80% of diagnoses end up with Graves Disease.
Remember how women are more likely to have thyroid problems? Statistics show that 1 in 50 women will have hyperthyroidism. This makes them six times more likely than men in comparison.
Hypothyroidism
This is the second most common form of a thyroid problem. It is the opposite form above, where the thyroid underproduces the hormones required. In the UK, 2% of those diagnosed with thyroid problems will have hypothyroidism.
As before, hypothyroidism is a staggering ten times more likely in women than men. However, hypothyroidism can impact men as well, whereas hyperthyroidism favours women.
Goiters/Nodules
The last common issue impacting thyroid health is an actual growth on the thyroid. Depending on the growth itself, it could be a goiter or a nodule. These are lumps that grow on the thyroid itself.
The bumps themselves are typically benign, but they can cause a problem with the thyroid itself. Sometimes having a growth or even dealing with an inflamed thyroid can mess with the hormone production.
When these growths get too big and start to impact thyroid function, most GPs and specialists will recommend that they are treated with medication to reduce their size. Sometimes they will even be removed surgically. However, this is only the case if other thyroid treatment options are unsuccessful.
Do I need to worry about thyroid cancer?
Many will pursue thyroid testing because they assume a thyroid disorder means thyroid cancer. Since cancer itself is such a common health problem these days, it makes sense.
However, thyroid cancer is rare compared to other cancers. You’re more likely to have one of the thyroid problems mentioned above than you are to have thyroid cancer. However, it also explains why testing is so important! Understanding that you have a problem means you can get to a specialist to diagnose the problem as quickly as possible. This helps you get your life back to normal as quickly as possible.
How to keep my thyroid healthy
You won’t be able to guarantee that you won’t have a problem with your thyroid, of course, but there are essential steps that you can take to help you do the best that you can to protect your thyroid.
The first thing to do is eat a proper diet focusing on vitamins, minerals, and more. This will be good for minimising deficiencies that could cause a thyroid issue down the road. Secondly, you can look at the idea of exercising correctly. Since there is a connection between high-level athletes and thyroid disorders, consider working with a doctor or personal trainer. These professionals will support you in exercising in a way that doesn’t put too much stress on your body.
Lastly, make time for thyroid testing regularly. You can do this through your GP, but you can also consider a simple, fast at-home test that will tell you when your hormone levels are normal or abnormal. This will tip you off to let you know if you need to seek further help from a specialist.
Thyroid problems and diseases may be common, particularly in women and professional athletes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay on top of your health. Consider testing, a balanced diet, and a healthy amount of exercise to do your part for the best thyroid health.