Diagnosis Of Graves’ Disease Is More Complicated In Athletes
When an athlete, particularly someone over age 40, struggles to maintain his usual training, competition, or recovery, an overactive thyroid gland may explain the changes. Symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or palpitations, can be telltale signs of Graves disease.³
This is the most common form of hyperthyroidism in the United States, affecting 1 in every 200 adults but because it is seven to eight times more common in women than men, Graves isnt usually considered a problem in men.² Typically, medication is used to normalize thyroid function and if that proves insufficient, treatment with either radioactive iodine or surgery is used to protect the patient against continued exposure to excess thyroid hormones.
Arriving at a diagnosis is made more challenging given differences in laboratory blood values that dont match with presenting complaints and symptoms.³ The ability to properly diagnose a thyroid condition may be further complicated in individuals undergoing significant physical stress or who taking anabolic steroids or exogenous thyroid hormone.
Since medication didnt make Mr. Turkheimer feel better, he was treated with radioactive iodine to alleviate his symptoms and restore his energy. Feeling somewhat better, he now takes the synthetic thyroid hormone and is trying to start exercising again by walking a mile or so, a few days a week to build up his strength.
What Is Postpartum Thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid after giving birth, affects 10% of women.3 It often goes undiagnosed because symptoms are much like the “baby blues” that may follow delivery. Women with postpartum thyroiditis may feel very tired and moody.
Postpartum thyroiditis typically happens in two phases, though not everyone with the condition goes through both phases:4
- The first phase starts 1 to 4 months after giving birth and typically last 1 to 2 months. In this phase, you may have signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism because the damaged thyroid leaks thyroid hormones out into the bloodstream.
- The second phase starts about 4 to 8 months after delivery and lasts 6 to 12 months. In this phase, you may have signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism because the thyroid has lost most of its hormones or because the immune attack is over and the thyroid may recover later.
How Is Hyperthyroidism Treated
Your doctor’s choice of treatment will depend on your symptoms and the cause of your hyperthyroidism. Treatments include:
- Antithyroid medicines block your thyroid from making new thyroid hormone. These drugs do not cause lasting damage to the thyroid.
- Beta-blockers block the effects of thyroid hormone on your body. These medicines can be helpful in slowing your heart rate and treating other symptoms until one of the other forms of treatment can take effect. Beta-blockers do not reduce the amount of thyroid hormones that are made.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism
Symptoms of hypothyroidism develop slowly, often over several years. At first, you may feel tired and sluggish. Later, you may develop other signs and symptoms of a slowed-down metabolism, including:
- Feeling cold when other people do not
- More than usual menstrual bleeding
You also may have high LDL or “bad” cholesterol, which can raise your risk for heart disease.
How Does The Thyroid Affect The Body
A well-working thyroid affects the body by maintaining the following functions:
- keeping the bodys temperature at a normal level
- supporting normal growth and cell turnover
- maintaining a normal heart rate
- burning calories in a regular and expected fashion
- maintaining bone breakdown and reabsorption
As a result, if your thyroid hormone production becomes imbalanced , your thyroid can potentially have a negative effect on your overall health.
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When To See A Gp
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid are often similar to those of other conditions, and they usually develop slowly, so you may not notice them for years.
For example, if you are an age where you may be expecting the menopause, you may think you have started the menopause rather than having an underactive thyroid.
You should see a GP and ask to be tested for an underactive thyroid if you have symptoms including:
- being sensitive to the cold
- dry skin and hair
The only accurate way of finding out whether you have a thyroid problem is to have a thyroid function test, where a sample of blood is tested to measure your hormone levels.
Read more about testing for an underactive thyroid.
What Are The Complications Of Thyroid Problems
If not treated, thyroid problems can lead to serious health problems.
Hypothyroidism can cause heart disease, infertility, and goiters .
Hyperthyroidism can cause heart failure, osteoporosis, and Graves disease.
If you have a thyroid problem, its important to get treatment to avoid these complications.
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How Do Doctors Diagnose Graves Disease
Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical exam to look for signs of Graves disease. To confirm a diagnosis of Graves disease, your doctor may order one or more of these thyroid tests
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Blood tests. These tests can measure the levels of your thyroid hormones and also check for TSI.
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Radioactive iodine uptake test. This test measures the amount of iodine your thyroid is taking up from your bloodstream to make thyroid hormones. If your thyroid is taking up large amounts of iodine, you may have Graves disease.
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Thyroid scan. This test, often done together with the radioactive iodine uptake test, shows how and where iodine is distributed in your thyroid. With Graves disease, the iodine shows up throughout the gland. With other causes of hyperthyroidism such as nodulessmall lumps in the glandthe iodine shows up in a different pattern.
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Doppler blood flow measurement. This test, also called Doppler ultrasound, uses sound waves to detect increased blood flow in your thyroid due to Graves disease. Your doctor may order this test if radioactive iodine uptake is not a good option for you, such as during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism
Thyroid disorders are common. In fact, about 12% of people will experience abnormal thyroid function at some point during their lives.
Women are eight times more likely to develop a thyroid disorder than men. Also, thyroid problems increase with age and may affect adults differently than children.
At the most basic level, thyroid hormone is responsible for coordinating energy, growth and metabolism in your body.
Problems can occur when this hormones levels are too high or low.
Hypothyroidism, or low levels of thyroid hormone, slows your metabolism and decreases growth or repair of many parts of the body.
The Right Hypothyroidism Workout
You might think hypothyroidism has drained you of all energy reserves, but even adding a little more physical activity to your day can help you improve energy levels during the day, and get better sleep at night. Aim for the recommended amount of physical activity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: moderate-intensity aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes on at least five days of the week and strength training activities on least two days a week. Since exercising in the evening can make it difficult to get to sleep, try to get most of your workouts done earlier in the day. The bottom line: the right hypothyroidism workout can help give you back the energy youve been craving.
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How Does Graves’ Disease Affect My Chances Of Getting Pregnant
Women with Graves’ disease often have irregular menstrual periods. If your periods are irregular, you may not ovulate each month, which can make it difficult to get pregnant.
In a man, Graves’ disease can harm the sperm, which can make it difficult for you to get pregnant.10
Treatment of Graves’ disease can often make your menstrual periods regular and restore fertility in women and men.11
Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency
Symptoms of iron deficiency and thyroid disease are similar, making it hard to spot iron deficiency or IDA. They include:
- Persistent fatigue
| 200 ng/mL |
Serum ferritin is not a routine part of your complete blood count . Your healthcare provider will need to order it separately.
If youre paying out of pocket, the test will likely cost between $25 and $50. Results are usually back within two days .
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The Connection Between Graves Disease And Depression
The thyroid releases thyroid hormones, including triiodothyronine and thyroxine . One of T3’s jobs is to control both levels and actions of two key neurotransmitters involved in depression: serotonin and norepinephrine. So an imbalance of thyroid hormones can directly lead to depression.
Research also shows that taking T3 hormone supplements can improve the effectiveness of antidepressants.
Cortisol, a stress hormone, is believed to play a role as well. In people with depression, cortisol levels are high. Research has shown that cortisol inhibits thyroid hormones’ activity, so depression may lead to thyroid dysfunction.
Treating An Underactive Thyroid
Treatment for an underactive thyroid involves taking daily hormone replacement tablets, called levothyroxine, to raise your thyroxine levels.
You’ll initially have regular blood tests until the correct dose of levothyroxine is reached. This can take a little while to get right.
Once you’re taking the correct dose, you’ll usually have a blood test once a year to monitor your hormone levels.
You’ll usually need treatment for the rest of your life. However, with proper treatment, you should be able to lead a normal, healthy life.
If an underactive thyroid is not treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma .
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How Are Thyroid Nodules Treated
Treatment depends on the type of nodule or nodules that you have. Treatments include:
- Watchful waiting. If your nodule is not cancerous, your doctor may decide to just watch your condition. You will get regular physical exams, blood tests, and perhaps thyroid ultrasound tests. If your nodule does not change, you may not need further treatment.
- Surgery. Surgery may be necessary to take out nodules that may be cancerous or large nodules that cause problems breathing or swallowing.
- Radioiodine. This type of treatment is helpful if you have nodules that make too much thyroid hormone. Radioiodine causes nodules to shrink and make smaller amounts of thyroid hormone.
Trouble Concentrating Or Remembering
Many patients with hypothyroidism complain of mental fogginess and trouble concentrating. The way this mental fogginess presents itself varies by person.
In one study, 22% of low-thyroid individuals described increased difficulty doing everyday math, 36% described thinking more slowly than usual and 39% reported having a poorer memory .
In another study of 14 men and women with untreated hypothyroidism, the participants showed difficulty remembering verbal cues .
The causes for this are not yet fully understood, but difficulties in memory improve with treatment of low thyroid hormone .
Difficulties in memory or concentration can happen to everyone, but if they are sudden or severe, they could be a signal of hypothyroidism.
Summary: Hypothyroidism can cause mental fogginess and difficulty concentrating. It may also impair certain kinds of memory.
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I Dont Have Thyroid Symptoms Should I Still Be Concerned
The modern thyroid epidemic is symptomatic of deeper problems in our world that we believe we all need to be aware of to protect our health and the health of our children.
Given the escalating rates of thyroid problems, the significant role that thyroid function plays in womens health, and the fact that thyroid problems can be brewing for years before we see the physical signs, we all need to at least be aware of our thyroid health how to protect it and how to detect problems early.
It is not just our thyroid health but our collective health as women. We are also seeing these issues in the escalating rates of other autoimmune conditions, PCOS, infertility, endometriosis, and early puberty that is on the rise, affecting girls as young as 6 years old.
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How Are Thyroid Diseases Diagnosed
It can be hard to tell if you have a thyroid disease. The symptoms are the same as many other health problems. Your doctor may start by asking about your health history and if any of your family members has had thyroid disease. Your doctor may also give you a physical exam and check your neck for thyroid nodules.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also do other tests, such as:
- Blood tests. Testing the level of thyroid stimulating hormone in your blood can help your doctor figure out if your thyroid is overactive or underactive. TSH tells your thyroid to make thyroid hormones. Depending on the results, your doctor might do another blood test to check levels of one or both thyroid hormones in your blood.
- Radioactive iodine uptake test. For this test, you swallow a liquid or capsule that holds a small dose of radioactive iodine . The radioiodine collects in your thyroid because your thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormone.
High levels of radioiodine mean that your thyroid makes too much of the thyroid hormone. Low levels mean that your thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormone.
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What Are Possible Complications Of Graves Disease In A Child
Some people with Graves disease develop an eye condition known as Graves ophthalmopathy. This is when the immune system attacks muscles and tissues around the eyes.
Side effects from the medicines used to treat Graves disease can also occur. If you have concerns about complications from Graves disease, talk with your childs healthcare provider.
How Do I Know If I Have A Thyroid Problem
Unless you have a very large nodule on your thyroid, you probably wont easily know you have a thyroid problem. However, if you experience changes in your weight, personality, emotions, and even skin texture, these can all be symptoms of thyroid problems.
A doctor can help you know if you have a thyroid problem by ordering blood tests to check the levels of thyroid hormones in your body. If yours are abnormal, your doctor can recommend next steps.
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What Causes Graves Disease
Your immune system usually produces proteins known as antibodies in order to fight against foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria.
If you have an autoimmune disease like Graves disease, though, your immune system begins to fight against healthy tissues and cells in your body.
With Graves disease, instead of producing antibodies to target a specific invader, your immune system mistakenly produces thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins. These antibodies then target your own healthy thyroid cells.
Scientists know that people can inherit the ability to make antibodies against their own healthy cells. But they have yet to find a clear cause of Graves disease or determine who will develop it.
Experts believe its possible that your genes and a virus or other external trigger both play a part in its development.
A few different factors may affect your chance of developing Graves disease:
The disease typically develops in people younger than 40. Your risk also increases significantly if any family members have Graves disease. The says that women develop it 7 to 8 times more frequently than men.
Your risk also increases if you have another autoimmune disease. Examples include:
Your care team may suggest using one or more of these options to treat the condition.
What Could Happen If Graves’ Disease Is Not Treated
Without treatment, Graves’ disease can lead to other health problems, including:
- Thyroid storm, a very rare, life-threatening condition caused by too much thyroid hormone that suddenly increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature to dangerously high levels. A stressful event, such as trauma, surgery, or infection, may trigger thyroid storm.
- Heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat , atrial fibrillation, and heart failure8
- Bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis. Bone loss after menopause raises a woman’s risk for weak and fragile bones that break easily. Graves’ disease can speed up bone loss.9
- Problems during pregnancy for you and your baby
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Can You Gain Weight With Graves Disease
In some rare cases, the immune response to Graves disease the most common type of hyperthyroidism can continue long enough to attack the thyroid and lead to inflammation. Therefore, it can cause Hashimoto disease, which can in turn cause weight gain. Other symptoms of Hashimoto disease are: fatigue.
