Thyroid disorders affect almost 500,000 Australians 1. According to the Better Health Channel, around 1 in 20 people will experience some form of thyroid dysfunction in their lifetime 2.
Despite them being so common, there are still many people who are unaware of the importance of the thyroid gland and what causes thyroid dysfunctions.
To coincide with Thyroid Awareness Week (June 1-7), we’ve put together a host of useful information about this small but important gland.
Key message: Taking care of your thyroid is essential to supporting optimal health.
Action point: Read part two of ‘Thyroid Health’ for my top tips for fostering healthy, balanced thyroid function.
A Small Gland with Big Responsibilities
The thyroid gland – a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck – has big responsibilities.
The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine (hormone-producing) glands in the body. It manufactures two hormones; triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodohyronine (T4). Thyroid hormones are responsible for controlling the basic activity of each cell in the body, including metabolism, growth and development.
The main function of thyroid hormones is to convert the calories in food into useable energy for the body. These hormones also help control body temperature, progesterone levels, heart rate and help regulate the production of proteins. If thyroid hormone levels drop below normal levels, metabolism inside your cells slows down and energy levels drop. If thyroid hormone levels become too high, metabolism and all body processes speed up.
Excess stress and nutrient-deficient food can adversely affect the thyroid gland, and lead to conditions such as hyperthyroidism (too much) or hypothyroidism (too little) hormone production.
Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction include, but are not limited to, exhaustion, constipation, depression, hair loss and, in women, heavy menstruation. Many women develop antibodies against their own thyroid, and this can be the start of autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease.
I see an incredible amount of women with undiagnosed thyroid issues so if you feel there is something amiss, then start with seeing an experienced naturopath. We are far more likely to organize comprehensive testing to rule out any thyroid problems. I cant tell you how many clients say to me “but I have had blood tests and told my thyroid is fine” That’s because the right tests haven’t been done, not because your thyroid is fine!
Problems with the thyroid gland can also cause infertility in women. 
In a study conducted by Krassas et al (2010), results showed that an irregular menstrual cycle was significantly higher among hypothyroid women, compared with control participants, and that there was a directly proportional level of severity of menstrual abnormalities with elevation of serum TSH levels. In other words, the higher your TSH, the more likely you will have period problems. Researchers concluded that thyroid dysfunction causes impaired fertility 3.
While relatively rare, thyroid cancer can also develop, with 3,435 Australians expected to be diagnosed in 2020 4.
References
- http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Health%20status~229
- State Government of Victoria (2015) Thyroid Gland. Fact Sheet. Accessed May 2015 at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/thyroid_gland_explained
- Krassas GE, Poppe K, Glinoer D (2010) Thyroid function and human reproductive health. Endocrine Rev. Oct;31(5):702-55. [doi: 10.1210/er.2009-0041]. Epub 2010 Jun 23. Accessed online May 2015 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20573783
- http://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/thyroid-cancer/thyroid-cancer-statistics
Kat Boehringer
Freelance journalist and editor
Kat Boehringer specialises in health communications including health writing, health promotions, and social media management. In her spare time she works as a massage therapist and aspiring novelist. Connect with her at LinkedIn.
