You don't recognize yourself lately because you're acting uncharacteristically aggressive and often yelling? It may be worth making an appointment with an endocrinologist, because such behavior may indicate problems in the thyroid gland. Despite its small size, the thyroid gland plays an important role in a woman's body, so the fair sex needs to check the thyroid gland more often.
The thyroid gland secretes hormones that can affect a person's energy, emotional state and weight. Therefore, they can be the cause of the development of a depressive state. Hormones are a substance produced by the endocrine glands, the work of which can affect growth, development, mood, sexual function, reproduction and metabolism.
The effect of hormones on depression
Depression can develop depending on the level of hormones that are produced by the thyroid gland. Conditions that are associated with the menstrual cycle, for example, premenstrual syndrome, premenopausal period and menopause, also depend on the function of the thyroid gland. Since these conditions are associated with symptoms of depression, a blood test is required to allow a more accurate diagnosis.
Thyroid dysfunction affects the digestive process, emotional state and sexual functions. In the event that the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of hormones, the body is forced to use its energy faster than usual. The condition of an overactive thyroid gland is called hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
- impaired vision;
- trembling, muscle weakness;
- weight loss;
- irritability, nervousness;
- heat intolerance;
- rare, scanty menses.
If the thyroid gland produces less hormones, the energy is used by the body very slowly. This condition of the thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
- hoarse voice;
- fatigue;
- forgetfulness;
- dry skin and hair;
- frequent, profuse menstruation;
- weight gain;
- cold intolerance.
Some of the following symptoms may indicate depression – fatigue, weight fluctuations, irritability and sleep problems. A doctor may order a blood test to check the levels of certain hormones in the body, especially triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and a hormone that is responsible for stimulating the activity of the thyroid gland.
Causes of thyroid disease
Thyroid function disorders can appear at any age, it happens that a child is born with such a disease. But women are more likely to experience this problem and are more prone to the disease by 80%.
Causes of hypothyroidism:
- inflammation of the thyroid gland after childbirth;
- autoimmune goiter;
- inflammation of the thyroid gland, affecting the level of hormones produced.
- The use of certain drugs, such as lithium and amiodarone, can also influence the development of this disease. Also, the cause of the disease can be iodine deficiency in the body.
Causes of hyperthyroidism:
- high iodine levels. May be achieved by taking cough syrups and other medications;
- nodules that appear on the thyroid gland may be the cause of its hyperfunction;
- inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can trigger the release of stagnant hormones;
- enlargement of the thyroid gland;
- diffuse toxic goiter.
Treatment of thyroid disorders
The main goal of each of the methods of treating thyroid diseases is to regulate the level of hormones in the blood. Hyperthyroidism is more difficult to treat than hypothyroidism, since in order to achieve absolute recovery, you need to normalize the level of hormones in the body. For treatment, drugs are used that have the function of blocking the production of hormones. There is also a radioactive iodine treatment that is able to perform the suspension of the thyroid gland. Although this type of treatment is quite common, it can provoke the development of hypothyroidism.
In case of the symptoms described in the article, it is important not to delay with the examination of the thyroid gland, because in this way you will save not only physical health, but also psychological.
Add a comment