6 things you need to know about thyroid disorders

Fatigue, irritability and changes in weight: these symptoms are often associated with everything from stress, aging and menopause to poor nutrition, diabetes or depression. However, they're also all symptoms of thyroid disorders, which are commonly overlooked in Canada because their symptoms can be so vague.

In fact, according to The Colorado Thyroid Disease Prevalence Study, more than three million Canadians -- twice as many as who have cancer -- have a thyroid disorder, but about half may not even know it.

Dr. Wendy Rosenthall, an endocrinologist based in Mississauga, Ont., describes the thyroid as "a butterfly-shaped gland sitting on your windpipe on top of your Adam's apple." Its job is to produce hormones that regulate growth, maturation and the speed of your metabolism, but it doesn't always function at the rate it's supposed to, which can cause health problems.

Here are six things you need to know about thyroid disorders:

1. There are two main types of thyroid disorders
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) means a person's thyroid does not produce enough hormones, and that makes their metabolism slow down. About 80 per cent of patients with thyroid disorders suffer from hypothyroidism. 

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is less common -- it affects about 20 per cent of people with thyroid disorders. A hyperactive thyroid over-produces hormones and works more than it needs to, speeding up your metabolism.

2. More women suffer from thyroid disorders than men
Women are five to seven times more likely to develop hypothyroidism than men, although it's unclear why. But Dr. Rosenthall warns that anyone can be affected: "It's not confined -- it's a pretty ubiquitous disease," she says.

However, as is the case with many diseases, the incidence of hypothyroidism increases with age. Up to 20 per cent of people aged 60 or older have hypothyroidism and the American Thyroid Association suggests that adults 35 or older be screened for thyroid problems every five years.

3. Symptoms of thyroid disorders are very common
Signs of a thyroid disorder are often very subtle and the most common symptoms -- fatigue, irritability and changes in weight -- are everyday occurrences, so doctors may not look immediately to the thyroid as the source of a problem.

Someone with hypothyroidism may suffer from:
- muscular weakness and constant fatigue
- unexplained weight gain
- moodiness
- muscle aches and pains
- a weak, slow heart beat
- sensitivity to cold
- thick, puffy skin
- forgetfulness
- constipation
- depression
- hoarse voice
- dry skin and hair
- heavy menstrual flow

Dr. Rosenthall says people with hypothyroidism are more prone to depression and "get more of a feeling of sadness" than those with hyperthyroidism, who are more irritable.

Click to continue for symptoms of hyperthyroidism, plus thyroid disorder treatments...

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Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- fast, forceful heartbeat

- tremors
- fatigue and muscular weakness
- weight loss in spite of increased appetite
- restlessness, anxiety and sleeplessness
- profuse sweating and heat intolerance
- diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
- changes in vision
- menstrual disturbances
- enlarged thyroid

"People [with hyperthyroidism] often say they have trouble climbing stairs," says Dr. Rosenthall. "And little things make them go off the handle."

4. A variety of factors can lead to thyroid disorders
According to the American Thyroid Association, "Worldwide, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is lack of iodine in the diet," but it can also be brought on with the use of certain medications or because of a disorder with the immune system.

Hyperthyroidism is most often caused by Graves' Disease (an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid). It can also be caused by overactive nodules or lumps in the thyroid.

5. Thyroid disorders are easy to treat
The good thing about having a thyroid disorder is that "it's common and it's easy to treat," says Dr. Rosenthall.

You can control hypothyroidism with medication and that usually means taking one thyroid hormone replacement pill every day for life. "Once the dose is stable, it rarely needs to be changed," says Dr. Rosenthall, although body changes like significant weight gain, pregnancy or menopause might require a change in dosage.

Treating hyperthyroidism varies more from patient to patient, but can include different types of medication, radioactive iodine or even surgery.

6. Left untreated, thyroid disorders can be damaging to other aspects of your health
"If you don't treat hypothyroidism, it can make your cholesterol high," warns Dr. Rosenthall. So although the symptoms themselves may not drag you down, they can be detrimental in the future and cause such complications as heart disease.

"Symptoms occur slowly. Your hormones take a while to affect different parts of the body," says Dr. Rosenthall.

An untreated thyroid disorder can also lead to:
- An enlarged thyroid (goiter) that can affect swallowing
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle weakness
- Clinical depression

If you experience some of the symptoms of a thyroid disorder, it's worth talking to your doctor about it to determine if further tests or medication may be necessary.

Find more articles on common diseases in the Women's Health section of Health & Fitness.

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