Understand the Thyroid—A Small Gland With a Big Effect on Health

By: St. Luke's Health - The Woodlands Hospital | Published 02/12/2024

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Thyroid issues are common, affecting about one in 20 people. Still, many people aren’t aware of what the thyroid does or how it affects health. Acknowledge Thyroid Awareness Month this January by learning about this vital gland and signs it may not be working as well as it should.

Thyroid Gland 101

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. Like other glands, it makes specific chemical messengers called hormones. These hormones are essential for overall health, affecting metabolism and several organs and systems in the body.

When a thyroid condition results in too little or too much thyroid hormone, it may affect your breathing, digestion, heart function, mood, sleep, weight and more.

Types of Thyroid Conditions

There are several different thyroid conditions, including:

Benign nodules—non-cancerous growths on the thyroid
Congenital hypothyroidism—a thyroid condition present from birth
Graves’ disease—an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack thyroid the thyroid gland
Hashimoto’s disease—an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the thyroid gland
Thyroid cancer—a type of cancer that starts in the thyroid
Thyroiditis—inflammation in the thyroid gland

Anyone can develop a thyroid condition. However, having certain risk factors may increase your chances, including:

Autoimmune disorders, such as celiac disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or Type 1 diabetes
Family history of thyroid conditions
Personal history of another thyroid issue or radiation treatment to the chest or neck
Recent pregnancy
Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder
Type 2 diabetes

Women and older people are also more likely to develop thyroid problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Issues

Signs and symptoms vary depending on the thyroid condition. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Signs of having too little thyroid hormone, known as hypothyroidism, can include:

Depression
Difficulty concentrating
Dry hair or skin
Extreme tiredness
Frequently feeling cold
Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
Joint and muscle pain
Slow heart rate
Thinning hair
Weight gain for no known reason

Symptoms of having too much thyroid hormone, called hyperthyroidism, may include:

Anxiety, irritability or nervousness
Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
Difficulty sleeping
Eye pain or swelling
Fast or regular heartbeat
Fertility issues
Mood swings
Often feeling hot
Tremors, or shaking, often in your hands
Weight loss for no known reason

Large benign nodules or cancerous tumors on the thyroid gland may lead to difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing. Several conditions may also cause a goiter, or an enlarged thyroid gland.

Getting a Diagnosis

If you think you may have a thyroid condition, the first step in getting a diagnosis is talking with your primary care physician. A primary care doctor can treat some thyroid conditions. If your doctor thinks you need more specialized care, they may refer you to a specialist, such as an endocrinologist or oncologist.

To diagnose a thyroid condition, your physician will collect your medical history, do a physical exam and order blood work or other tests, such as:

Fine needle aspiration biopsy—a test that takes a tiny tissue sample
Thyroid nuclear scan—an imaging test that involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the body to check thyroid gland function
Thyroid ultrasound—a test that provides detailed images of the structure of the thyroid gland