Thyroid health is a significant concern for many Americans, including celebrities in our community like Missy Elliot, Mo’Nique, and Wendy Williams. In a feature with UCLA’s School of Medicine, Dr. Stephanie Smooke Praw described the thyroid as “a small butterfly-shaped organ that sits just at the base of the neck.” The thyroid is a petite endocrine gland located beneath the larynx, also known as the voice box. Although the gland may be physically small, it impacts multiple organ systems in major ways. You may not know much about thyroid disease until symptoms directly affect you or your family members. Here’s some information that can help. Read on to understand more about your thyroid and how to spot the symptoms of an underactive and overactive thyroid.
Thyroid Disease Impacts More Women Than Men
The American Thyroid Association reports that “more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime” and “up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.” The risk for thyroid complications is even higher in women. A 2021 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that “thyroid dysfunction is more common in women than in men.” That dysfunction can be complicated by the inadvertent masking of symptoms because, as the same article noted, “For women, the profound physiologic changes associated with different life stages affect the timing of presentation of thyroid disease.”
Our Community Faces a Unique Set of Challenges
Interventions addressing poor thyroid health can range from oral prescription medication to surgical procedures. Hormone replacement therapies are an option in some instances as well. Black people face unique challenges in maintaining proper thyroid health.
“Disparities continue to exist in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease, which affects an estimated 20 million Americans, with patients of racial and ethnic minorities experiencing worse outcomes for both malignant and benign thyroid disease,” according to the Office on Women’s Health in the Office in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that “the incidence of thyroid cancer has been rapidly increasing over the past 30 years,” and “Black patients were on average older at the time of diagnosis and had higher comorbidity scores.”
Overactive Versus Underactive Thyroid Conditions (and their symptoms)
Thyroids can be overactive and underactive. Both can negatively impact one’s health and are frequently attributed to the presence of autoimmune diseases like Graves and Hashimoto’s. Thyroid issues can also complicate family planning.
Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid condition. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases defines it as a condition “when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs.”
Hyperthyroidism can be challenging to diagnose due to its symptoms overlapping with other conditions. This can contribute to deadly delays in treatment and worsen outcomes. “A hyperthyroidism diagnosis can’t be based on symptoms alone because many of its symptoms are the same as those of other diseases. That’s why your doctor may use several thyroid blood tests and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis and find its cause,” according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. According to the Lancet, “Commonly reported symptoms are palpitations, fatigue, tremors, anxiety, disturbed sleep, weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, and polydipsia.” It can also lead to diarrhea.
Sweating and heat intolerance can be confused for symptoms of menopause or perimenopause in some cases, wasting valuable time that could be used to treat thyroid issues on misdiagnosis.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid cannot function at the level the body needs. The Office of Women’s Health reports that symptoms of hypothyroidism include cold intolerance, constipation, loss of muscle functionality, depression, fatigue, dry skin, abnormal heart rate, diminished vocal capacity, and heavy menstrual bleeding. It is equally difficult to diagnose.
If you suspect that you might be having thyroid issues. Give your doctor some insight into some of your symptoms:
- Symptom: Temperature Sensitivity
If your new satin shirt is soaked through while everyone surrounding you is bone dry, that could be a sign that you have an overactive thyroid. Excessive sweating and heat sensitivity are common symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism. Shivering while everyone is enjoying a cool breeze might indicate hypothyroidism, as this thyroid issue can come with an extreme sensitivity to the cold.
- Symptom: Heart Issues
Heart palpitations could be a symptom of an overactive thyroid. A heart rate that is too slow might signal that your thyroid is underperforming. If you suspect you have symptoms, you can monitor your heart rate on your own and bring evidence to your doctor, but ultimately, they will be the best method of confirming your heart health and whether it intersects with any thyroid challenge.
- Symptom: Impact On Your Mental Health
Overactive and underactive thyroid have the potential to impact a person’s mental and emotional health.
A sleepless state of constant worry that feels like generalized anxiety could be a sign that your thyroid is in a hyper state. The deep fog of depression that you are unable to climb out of could prove that your thyroid is low-functioning and sinking your hormonal health. Both of these invisible symptoms are dangerous. Communicate honestly with your healthcare provider and loved ones about how you are feeling so that you can get the help you need and deserve.
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