What is your Thyroid?
What Does This Little Organ Do? And Why Is It So Important?
We’re talking about the thyroid — a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that has a big job. This endocrine organ is responsible for regulating your metabolism, which means it helps control how your body uses energy.
When the thyroid isn’t working properly, it can have far-reaching effects on your body and wellbeing.
When the Thyroid Works Too Hard: Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which speeds up the body’s metabolism. This causes your body to burn fuel so rapidly that a lot of energy is wasted as heat.
Common signs of hyperthyroidism include:
Weight loss with increased appetite
Loose bowel motions or diarrhoea
Increased sweating
Difficulty sleeping
Heart palpitations
Hand tremors
Tiredness or weak muscles, especially in the upper arms and thighs
Enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
When the Thyroid Slows Down: Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone, and there’s decreased conversion from T4 (the storage form) to T3 (the active form). A large proportion of the population has some degree of hypothyroidism, but many cases go undiagnosed.
Common signs of hypothyroidism include:
Depression, feeling withdrawn, lack of motivation
Poor concentration (“brain fog”)
Fatigue, muscle aches, and low energy
Needing more sleep than usual
Intolerance to cold
Unexplained weight gain
Dry or pale skin, facial puffiness
Hair thinning or hair loss
Heavy, irregular, or prolonged menstrual periods
Enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
Autoimmune Thyroid Conditions
Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can progress into autoimmune conditions.
Hashimoto’s disease (underactive thyroid): the immune system attacks and damages the thyroid gland, reducing hormone production.
Graves’ disease (overactive thyroid): the immune system overstimulates the thyroid, causing it to overproduce hormones.
These conditions are diagnosed with blood tests that measure autoantibodies, in addition to thyroid hormones.
Understanding Thyroid Testing
Most GPs will first check TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), but this alone doesn’t give the full picture. A complete thyroid panel that includes T3, T4, and possibly reverse T3 can provide more meaningful insights into how well your thyroid is functioning.
Why the Thyroid Is Sensitive
The thyroid is particularly vulnerable to toxicity, especially from heavy metals, and is closely linked to your overall hormonal balance. Factors like mood, diet, stress, sleep, and motivation can all influence thyroid health.
Treatment and Next Steps
There are many different treatment options for thyroid conditions, but the best approach depends on identifying the root cause. As always, diet can play a significant role in how you feel and how well you manage symptoms.
If you’re experiencing thyroid symptoms and need help regaining control of your metabolism, book a consult with me — I’d love to help you feel your best.
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This article was written by Jan Caton BHSc of Naturopathy. Jan is the owner, naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist of Magnolia Apothecary. Jan practices in the Mount Evelyn and Ferntree Gully