Why your thyroid might be acting up: Symptoms of thyroid disorders, common causes, treatment tips

Symptoms of thyroid disorders: These include fatigue, weight changes, temperature sensitivity, changes in heart rate and alterations in mood or energy levels (Image: Canva)

The thyroid controls various activities in the body, such as metabolic rate, growth, and energy. It sometimes react based on internal conditions of the body, like stress levels and normal life routine, while sometimes it responds to external factors like diet. But generics play a huge role in triggering thyroid diseases. Studies suggest that thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid diseases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and thyroid cancer, are transmitted genetically.

Hashimoto's and Graves' are considered autoimmune diseases, but these can also be caused by iodine deficiency, environmental exposures, stress, thyroid nodules and tumours. On the other hand, says Dr Aparna Bhanushali, European Board Certified—Clinical Laboratory Geneticist (affiliated), Head-Growth and Scientific Support, Haystack Analytics, gender is an equally prominent cause — thyroid disorders are more common among women than men.

Talking about the symptoms of thyroid, Bhanushali says, "Commonly, the symptoms of thyroid disorders include fatigue, weight changes, temperature sensitivity, changes in heart rate and alterations in mood or energy levels." She adds, "Regular screening and being aware of your genetic predispositions can prevent or at least detect the disorder at an early stage and manage it effectively. "

To reduce the risks and support the functioning of your thyroid, Dr. Bhanushali suggests these 6 lifestyle modifications to your daily routine.

Balanced diet: Follow a balanced diet that is rich in micronutrients. You can get Vitamin B6 from various foods such as chicken, salmon, bananas, and spinach. Food sources such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli, are rich in Vitamin C. Plus,  almonds, spinach, and sunflower oil are replete with Vitamin E.

Hydration: Water helps in blood and lymph circulation that carries immune cells, important for fighting different pathogens to provide health. Proper hydration supports thyroid health by making sure the thyroid hormones move effectively throughout the body to the target cells to properly regulate metabolism. It also helps get rid of metabolic waste products and toxins that can block your thyroid's action. Drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day, and adjust this quantity according to some external and internal factors like diet and season.

Exercise: It can add positively to your health. It also improves your immune system. Practice moderate-intensity exercises that enhance the triggering of mobilisation of immune cells from bone marrow into the bloodstream. It facilitates their translocation into different tissues, otherwise called immune surveillance. Exercise tunes up immune cells with respect to their capacity to sense and move toward potential infection threats, maximising their body-guarding potential.

Stress management: When combined with disturbances in sleep patterns, unhealthy diet, hampered hydration, and lack of physical activity, stress can hamper the immune system. Practice yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation, or take up hobbies. These will help you fight these lifestyle diseases by developing healthy mental well-being and immunity.

Sleep pattern: Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels follow the circadian rhythm, peaking normally during the night. A faulty sleep cycle might disturb the rhythm and might affect the production of thyroid hormones. Practice stress-reducing exercises and include them into your routine. Also, avoid using digital devices 30 minutes prior to sleeping to give time for the relaxation of the brain.

Monitor regularly: Diagnosis of the symptoms of the thyroid is possible with the help of laboratory tests like T3, T4, TSH, and anti-thyroid antibodies. DNA analysis further help in assessing the genetic predispositions of diseases. Your doctor may suggest changes in lifestyle that help to delay thyriod related diseases for better long-term health outcomes.