Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
A thyroid disorder means the butterfly-shaped neck gland makes too little hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism); both are diagnosed by a simple blood test and treated effectively.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. It makes hormones that set the pace of the whole body - heart rate, energy use, weight, temperature, mood, digestion, periods and growth. A thyroid disorder means this gland is working too slowly or too fast, or has developed a structural problem like a swelling (goiter) or nodules.
The two main functional disorders:
The key facts people miss: thyroid disorders are diagnosed by a simple blood test (TSH, plus T3/T4) - not by guessing from weight or tiredness, which have many causes. They are treatable and, once controlled, people live completely normal lives. But the treatment must be taken exactly as prescribed - stopping levothyroxine because you "feel fine" brings the disease back, and untreated thyroid disease in pregnancy can harm the baby's brain development.
Remember: thyroid problems are common, blood-test diagnosed, and well controlled with regular treatment - test, don't guess.
Ayurveda describes neck swellings (galaganda) and metabolic imbalance in traditional terms. This is interpretive; diagnosis is by blood test and treatment by hormone replacement or antithyroid medicine.
Written By
Sanatan Ayurveda
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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Hypothyroidism slows the body (weight gain, tiredness, cold intolerance, constipation); hyperthyroidism speeds it up (weight loss, palpitations, tremor, heat intolerance); a neck swelling also signals thyroid disease.
Normal iodized salt and a balanced diet suit most thyroid patients; avoid excess iodine supplements and soy/calcium/iron close to levothyroxine timing.
Regular moderate exercise helps thyroid patients once hormone levels are controlled; yoga and pranayama support stress and wellbeing but do not change hormone levels.
Thyroid disease often progresses from silent antibody positivity, to subclinical (mild) dysfunction, to overt disease; treated early at each stage it stays controlled.
Most thyroid disorders are autoimmune (Hashimoto's or Graves' disease); iodine imbalance, thyroiditis, medicines and nodules are other causes.
Hypothyroidism is treated with daily levothyroxine taken on an empty stomach; hyperthyroidism with antithyroid drugs, radioiodine or surgery - all with regular blood-test monitoring.
