Thyroid Disorders

My mother suffered another wave of palpitations two weeks ago, and her doctor suspects the cause is thyroid disorders. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland, which wraps around the front part of the windpipe just below the Adam's Apple.

I read from the net that nowadays thyroid disorders are very common. The influence of the thyroid gland is absolutely necessary for normal function of the body. The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine found in many foods and convert it into thyroid hormones.

Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism which affect heart beat, cholesterol level, body weight, energy level, muscle strength, skin condition, vision, menstrual regularity, mental state and a host of other conditions of the individual. The most common thyroid disorder is called hypothyroidism. It happens when the thyroid fails to produce adequate hormones. Less frequently, an overactive thyroid condition called hyperthyroidism (ie. my mother's current condition) occurs when the thyroid produces more thyroid hormone than needed. Few people suffer from enlargement of the gland.

Some signs of Thyroid Disorders:

Fatigue and exhaustion. Unexplained or excessive weight gain. Dry coarse skin and thinning of hair. Sluggish, depression and mood swings. Menstrual problems and infertility. Intolerance to cold. Slow or could be fast pulse.

Important message from my mother's doctor is: Avoid iodised salt if you have overactive thyroid glands.