Every week we ask a medical professional a health question. This week: I’m always so tired. is it my thyroid? General practitioner Tamara de Weijer: “Women are at greater risk, especially in the first year after birth and when it runs in the family.”
Suffering from a slow thyroid?
“Yes. Fatigue can indicate that the thyroid gland is underactive, so it is certainly a good idea to see a doctor if you are tired “for no reason”. Although in most cases your fatigue has nothing to do with the thyroid gland. ”
What exactly is an underactive thyroid?
“The thyroid gland is located at the front of your neck, below your Adam’s apple. It makes a hormone that keeps the metabolism working properly, helps to convert energy from food. If the thyroid isn’t active enough, very little goes out “into your blood, which slows down your metabolism.”
“You run the risk of becoming constipated and gaining weight because your metabolism slows down.”
Tamara de Weijer, general practitioner
What do you notice besides fatigue?
“Your whole body will slow down. Because the metabolism slows down, there is a risk of constipation and weight gain. In addition, thick eyes, feeling cold, dry skin, hair loss and irregular periods are also symptoms.
How does it cause?
“Usually there is a disease. In most cases, it is Hashimoto’s disease, a condition involving the immune system. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body turns against itself. In some cases, it attacks the thyroid gland. Sometimes it attacks the thyroid. It also occurs after cancer treatment, thyroid surgery, or postpartum thyroiditis.”
“Women are generally more at risk, especially in the first year after childbirth and when it starts in families.”
How does the doctor make the diagnosis?
“The doctor checks, among other things, the thyroid hormone, also known as free T4. With an underactive thyroid, there is too little thyroid hormone in the blood. The doctor also checks the brain hormone that helps the thyroid gland: TSH. underactive thyroid, often too much in the blood.”
“Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do to improve thyroid function.”
Tamara de Weijer, general practitioner
“This is a very simple blood test. If you are concerned, you can ask for such a test. The protocol for most GPs is to rule out thyroid problems when you are tired.”
Is there anything that can be done?
“Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do to improve thyroid function. By exercising and eating healthy you feel fitter, but the thyroid does not work faster. The hormone itself – not even influenced by lifestyle or diet. †
Do I have to take medication?
“Yes. So patients will still have to take drugs that replenish the thyroid hormone. The frustrating thing is that it often takes a long time to notice a difference: a few weeks for the drugs to work, then a few more months for you. The thyroid will work normally , but the good news is that you will eventually get rid of these complaints.
Thyroid can also work really fast, right? So what is it?
“If a thyroid gland works too fast, the body makes too much thyroid hormone. This makes the metabolism work faster. This can cause palpitations, sweating, restlessness, irritation, fatigue, diarrhea and weight loss for no reason. Also go to the doctor with these complaints.”
Tamara de Weijer is a general practitioner, founder of the Art and Lifestyle Association and owner of a lifestyle program where she guides people towards a healthier lifestyle. He wrote lifestyle book and Eat better in 28 daysI
Source: NU
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
