Your thyroid, a little gland in your neck, controls your metabolism, energy levels, and mood with relative ease. If it isn’t functioning properly, you can experience unusual changes in your weight, along with fatigue or irritation. Thyroid specialists in Singapore share some tips to figure out what’s wrong. These experts, who focus on endocrine diseases, are very important for finding and treating thyroid issues. Thyroid conditions can negatively affect people’s lives, but no one really understands them. If you have just been diagnosed, think you might have a problem, or are just interested, this book gives you the power to take charge with clear, practical guidance from a thyroid specialist.
What’s the Thyroid All About?
Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are two key hormones that the thyroid gland produces. It is located around the base of your neck. These hormones are like the gas pedal for your body. They change how rapidly your heart beats and how quickly you burn calories.
The pituitary gland, thyroid, and brain all work together to maintain this system in check. The situation is as follows: The hypothalamus is where thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is produced in the brain. It instructs the pituitary gland to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). It is then that TSH instructs the thyroid to produce T4 and T3. T4 is the primary hormone that goes through your bloodstream, but it’s only a backup because it needs to change into T3 to do its job in your cells. You don’t even notice this system when it’s functioning efficiently. But if it stops working, you probably have hypothyroidism (not enough hormone) or hyperthyroidism (too much). Each one has its own set of problems, and knowing the difference is vital for keeping your health in check.
Hypothyroidism: The Slowdown Struggle
Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid doesn’t work right and doesn’t make enough hormone, which makes you feel like you’re walking in molasses. Symptoms can come on suddenly:
- Even after a whole night’s sleep, you feel tired to the bone.
- Gaining weight even while your diet hasn’t changed
- Dry skin, fragile hair, or eyebrows that are getting thinner
- Not being able to think clearly or focus
- Feeling down or nervous for no apparent reason
Sometimes these signs are so minor that you might think they are just signs of stress or getting older. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common reason. This is an autoimmune condition that affects your thyroid and makes it weaker over time. If you don’t treat hypothyroidism, it can get worse and cause myxedema, a rare but life-threatening condition. The good news? Taking levothyroxine, a synthetic T4 hormone, every day typically helps. It’s an art to get the proper dose. Every 4 to 12 weeks, your thyroid specialist will check your TSH levels and make changes as needed. It works best if you take it first thing in the morning, without any food that contains calcium, iron, or soy for at least 30 to 60 minutes afterward. These foods can stop your body from absorbing it. If you’re still not feeling well after getting good test results, talk to your thyroid specialist about adding a T3 drug like liothyronine. Speaking with your thyroid specialist about it is important because it doesn’t always work and can make your heart beat fast.
Hyperthyroidism: When Your Body’s in Overdrive
Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is like your body is trapped in fast-forward. Hormones that are too high speed everything up, which can cause symptoms like:
- A fast heart or palpitations
- Hands that shake or are always jittery
- Weight loss that can’t be explained, even though you eat more
- Feeling anxious or wired
- Having trouble sleeping even when tired
Graves’ disease, which is also an autoimmune issue, is typically to blame because antibodies make your thyroid work too hard. Don’t ignore it. It might put a lot of stress on your heart or trigger other major problems. There are many different ways to treat it. Some people see remission after 12 to 18 months of taking antithyroid medicines such as methimazole or propylthiouracil, which can reduce hormone synthesis. There are some unusual concerns with these medications, such as liver problems or low white blood cell counts. Therefore, you need to get your blood tested often.
Radioactive iodine therapy is another possibility. It targets thyroid cells that are too active, but it often causes permanent hypothyroidism, which means you will need levothyroxine for the rest of your life. Surgery to take out part or all of the thyroid is less usual, but it may be essential in really bad situations, including a big goiter. There are pros and cons to each option, so talk to your thyroid specialist openly about which one is best for you.
Diagnosing a Thyroid Issue
Do not wait to see your thyroid specialist if something does not feel right. First, they’ll probably do a physical checkup and order blood tests to look for lumps or swelling in your neck. The TSH test is the most important one. High levels mean you have hypothyroidism, which means your pituitary gland is working extra hard to wake up a slow thyroid, and low levels mean you have hyperthyroidism, which means your pituitary gland is trying to calm things down.
To get a better idea of your hormone levels, you can get Free T4 and Free T3 tests. Antibody tests can confirm autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’. Keep in mind that you should stop taking biotin vitamins (which are often used to improve hair and nails) at least 48 hours before the test. Biotin can change the readings, which could lead to the wrong diagnosis. Always give your thyroid specialist a full list of all the medicines and vitamins you take. This is a simple thing that can help you avoid big problems.
Taking Charge: Be Your Own Advocate
How to live a healthy life with a thyroid disorder? Here are some tips on how to be your own advocate during your doctor’s consultation:
- Arrive on time for your medical appointments and be ready.
- Write down your symptoms, how you feel, when they started, and any patterns you notice in a notebook.
- Bring a complete list of all of your medicines and vitamins, even if they seem small. Jot down questions like, What’s causing my symptoms? What harmful effects does the treatment have? What must I do if I do not feel better?
- Bring a friend or family member to take notes if you’re nervous or afraid of forgetting something.
You don’t have to let thyroid problems take over your life just because you have them. You can feel like yourself again if you know what to do, get a personalized care plan, and take charge of your health. Pay close attention to your body, work together with your thyroid specialist, and make decisions that are good for your health. Let’s make sure the ride goes smoothly since you’re the one in charge.
NC Tan Surgery – Dr Tan Ngian Chye
Farrer Park Medical Centre
1 Farrer Park Station Road
#14-02 Connexion Singapore 217562
Phone: +65 6443 8802
