What Is The Roll Of Your Thyroid?

There are a lot of important jobs that your thyroid has in your body. One of the big jobs is to control your metabolism. When your metabolism is functioning properly, it supplies the needed nutrients and energy that you need for the rest of your body. So, it all comes back down to your thyroid doing its part. 


How Does Thyroid Affect The Body?


The thyroid is a hormone within the body. This is a hormone that is needed in both men and women for the body to properly function. The body uses the thyroid to properly use the nutrients that you put into your body. 


The functionality of your thyroid determines the effectiveness of your metabolism. This not only affects your energy levels but many other parts of your body as well. You may notice trouble with these areas too:



  • Regulating Your Body Temperature

  • Irregular Heartbeat

  • Inability To Burn Enough Calories


What Is The Main Cause Of Thyroid Problems?


Overall, the most common reason someone experiences a thyroid problem isn’t because of one specific illness. It is typically because of an autoimmune disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most commonly known cause of thyroid trouble, but not the only one. Autoimmune diseases can range between many different things, such as:



  • Vitiligo

  • Diabetes Mellitus

  • Lupus

  • Grave’s Disease

  • And Much More


Thyroid problems can either be hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism. Hyper is when your thyroid is overactive, and hypo is when it is underactive. Either one can be treated with the help of your doctor. Your primary care doctor may see fit to send you to an endocrinologist for more focused care. 


The Thyroid In Women


There are many different signs and symptoms that women can experience when their thyroid is under or overactive. Many women experience trouble with anxiety and nervousness. At the same time, some explain being irritable and easily agitated. 


Everyone is different, and symptoms may vary. For an overactive thyroid, weight gain will be difficult, and an underactive one will leave women feeling defeated with weight gain. Some other common symptoms are:



  • Trouble Sleeping Or Overly Tired

  • Irregular Menstruation or None At All

  • Forgetfulness or Brain Fog

  • Enlarged Thyroid Gland

  • Dry, Brittle, or Thinning Hair

  • Muscle Weakness and Tremors

  • Always Feeling Too Cold or Too Hot

  • Scratchy or Hoarse Voice


The Thyroid In Men


The symptoms that people feel with a thyroid disorder are pretty similar between men and women. One way that there are some differences in the levels that the thyroid should be at. This level is checked through a blood test, and doctors consider your age and gender when determining the correct level. 


For men in their 30’s to ’50s, the thyroid should be at a level of .5 to 4.15. For females in the same age range, the thyroid should be in the range of .4 to 4.0. So, not a huge difference, but there is a slight one. But, as far as symptoms, they are all pretty much the same for men and women.