Health & Wellbeing 13 things you didn’t know about your thyroid

it might only be small but it’s actually one of the most important parts of your body

How much do you know about your oh-so-mighty thyroid? not much? truth is, around one in 20 people suffer some kind of thyroid disorder. and unfortunately for us, they usually occur in women. it's time to get clued up…

It affects everything!

We couldn’t believe it either, but yes, this startling fact is true. everything from how you grow to how your heart beats is down to this tiny butterfly-shaped gland. So it’s definitely worthy of your attention.

Hormones are key

it’s actually your thyroid hormones, which are secreted into your blood, that hold the power. thyroxine (t4) and triiodothyronine (t3) make sure that every cell in your body is working normally.

Size isn’t everything

Your thyroid gland, which lives just below your voice box, is a miniscule 5cm wide and weighs between 25g and 30g.

It influences your metabolism

if you’ve piled on the pounds, but you’re still exercising and eating healthily, your thyroid could be to blame. Hormones regulate the speed at which our body cells work. if too few hormones are released, your cells and organs slow (this is known as hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid). too many? cells work faster, resulting in hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid.

Stress doesn’t help!

another reason why you need to chill out. stress reduces your thyroid function, curbing hormone production, and slowing your metabolism.

An underactive thyroid is ageing

this condition is anything but youth-boosting! it makes skin drier, so fine lines appear earlier. Plus, it causes nails and hair to become brittle, so they’re more prone to splitting and breaking. it also causes fluid retention and puffy skin, resulting in eye bags and bloating.

Symptoms aren’t always clear

a malfunctioning thyroid sometimes produces very few signals, and can masquerade as another condition, so it’s difficult to know if yours is working properly. However, if you experience any of the following, ask your doctor for a diagnostic blood test. Hypothyroidism tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, poor concentration and/or depression. Hyperthyroidism Weight loss, often feeling overheated, anxiety, and/or sore, gritty eyes.

Birth can be a trigger

Having a baby can cause post-partum thyroiditis, so keep an eye on family members. it’s usually temporary, but can return after future births.

Our immune system is often to blame

many thyroid disorders stem from a dysfunctional immune response. it either sees your thyroid as a foreign invader and launches damaging attacks that prevent it releasing enough hormones. or it induces your thyroid into making too many.

Thyroid cancer rates have trebled

a study published last year in The Journal of the American Medical Association (Jama) found that cases of thyroid cancer had increased three-fold between 1975 and 2013. a lump or swelling on your thyroid gland is called a nodule. these can be harmless, but some can cause thyroid disorders or be cancerous, so get it checked out.

There is a healthy thyroid diet

Certain foods will help keep it humming… eat… Brazil nuts Just one kernel contains almost double the recommended daily intake of selenium, which is a key component of the enzymes that convert t4 into t3. eat… Chicken zinc is another essential nutrient, as your body needs it to churn out the thyroid hormones. if you don’t consume enough zinc, you can develop hypothyroidism. ironically, this condition can also make you deficient in zinc, as your thyroid hormones help absorb the mineral. eat… seaweed this sushi staple is packed with iodine, which your thyroid needs to work properly. Just don’t have it every day, as too much iodine can be just as harmful as too little.

What to swerve

…while some foods definitely won’t avoid… sugar (if you have an underactive thyroid) the white stuff and processed foods cause inflammation, which inhibits t4 converting to t3, affecting body temperature, metabolism and heart rate. avoid… Caffeine (if you have an overactive thyroid) although a cup of coffee won’t trigger a disorder, if you already have an overactive thyroid, excessive consumption can make your symptoms worse.

Thyroid disorders can be treated

an underactive thyroid is usually remedied by taking daily hormonereplacement tablets called levothyroxine, which replaces the thyroxine hormone. overactive thyroids can be treated with medication, low-dose radiation or surgery.