Most people associate metabolism with how fast or slow they burn calories. Did you know your thyroid is also a major component of that equation?

Your thyroid works much like the cruise control on your car – keeping your body running at a smooth, steady pace. But sometimes things go wrong with this gland, causing your body’s systems to run too fast or too slow.

The tiny, butterfly-shaped gland is located in your neck and wraps around the front of your windpipe. It produces a special hormone that flows through the bloodstream, converting oxygen and calories into energy. This process, and the pace at which it performs, is known as your metabolism.

“Most thyroid conditions are fairly easy to diagnose and treat – once you recognize the signs,” says Richard Bertenshaw, MD, an endocrinologist with Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospitals. “However, many of the same symptoms can point to other conditions, which is why seeing your doctor is so important.”

Thyroid conditions tend to be hereditary, and women are seven times more likely than men to have either an over- or an underactive thyroid. Like many other medical conditions, symptoms often appear gradually, making them easy to overlook.

Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid
An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism or a thyroid that speeds up, occurs when the body produces too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms can include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Anxiety or irritability
• Heart palpitations or hand tremors
• Feeling too warm or increased perspiration
• Difficulty sleeping
• Muscular weakness
• Dry, brittle hair and thinning skin

An overactive thyroid can have several causes. In about 70 percent of all cases, the cause is Grave’s disease, a condition that stimulates the thyroid to grow and secrete too much hormone. Left untreated, it can lead to enlarged or bulgy eyes. Hyperthyroidism can also occur when nodules or lumps develop on the thyroid, causing it to enlarge and produce too much hormone.

When doctors suspect a patient has an overactive thyroid, they perform a blood test to check for elevated levels of thyroid hormone. In some cases, they also use imaging tools to help pinpoint the cause.

An overactive thyroid can be treated in several ways, depending on the cause, severity of the condition and the patient’s age. “Doctors may prescribe medications to block the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormone or they may prescribe radioactive iodine, which causes the overactive part of the thyroid to stop functioning excessively,” says Dr. Bertenshaw. In some cases, they may surgically remove the thyroid.

People who have been treated for an overactive thyroid need lifelong monitoring to make sure they have sufficient thyroid hormone. If their level drops too low or if their gland was removed or ablated with radioiodine, doctors prescribe levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid
An underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism or a thyroid that slows down, occurs when the body produces too little thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally. Symptoms can include:

• Unexplained weight gain
• Feeling cold much of the time
• Fatigue
• Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Slower heart rate
• Slower reflexes

There are many reasons why a person develops hypothyroidism, including treating an overactive thyroid. However, it can also be caused by an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. This prohibits the thyroid’s ability to produce sufficient hormone. Advancing age, congenital conditions and radiation used to treat cancers of the head or neck can also cause hypothyroidism.

Even though hypothyroidism cannot be cured, like hyperthyroidism, it can be successfully controlled with levothyroxine. People taking this medication should be tested regularly to make sure they have an adequate dosage.

From imaging studies to treatment, patients with thyroid conditions can receive a full spectrum of care at Adventist Midwest Health. “It’s great to be able to offer patients everything they need in one place,” Dr. Bertenshaw says.

For more information, or to find a physician, call us at 866-533-7968.