Thyroid disorders can quietly change your energy, weight, mood, and digestion.

If you feel off and standard checks come back normal, the thyroid is worth checking. The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes hormones controlling metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. When it makes too little hormone you get hypothyroidism; when it makes too much you get hyperthyroidism. Both can cause broad symptoms and both need clear testing and follow-up.

Common signs of hypothyroidism include persistent tiredness, unexplained weight gain, dry skin, hair thinning, slow thinking, constipation, and feeling cold. Hyperthyroidism often shows as weight loss despite increased appetite, racing heart, sweating, anxiety, trembling hands, and trouble sleeping. These lists aren’t complete, but they help you spot patterns worth testing.

Blood tests are the first step. Doctors check TSH first and then free T4 or free T3 if needed. TSH shows whether the brain is asking the thyroid to work harder. Abnormal results lead to imaging or antibody tests to determine causes like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. Don’t skip follow-up labs after treatment changes—TSH can take weeks to settle.

Medication basics and interactions

Levothyroxine is the standard for hypothyroidism. It’s simple but timing and interactions matter: take it on an empty stomach 30–60 minutes before breakfast or at bedtime three hours after eating. Avoid calcium, iron, antacids, and high‑fiber meals within four hours of the dose. Coffee and some supplements reduce absorption too. For hyperthyroidism, treatments range from beta blockers for symptoms to antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery depending on cause and severity.

Diet won’t cure thyroid disease, but it supports treatment. Don’t start high‑dose iodine unless a specialist recommends it—too much iodine can worsen some conditions. Selenium shows modest benefits in autoimmune thyroiditis for select patients, and correcting vitamin D deficiency often helps general wellbeing. Focus on balanced meals, regular protein, and enough iron when you’re prescribed thyroid medication, because low iron and low vitamin B12 can mimic thyroid symptoms.

Quick checklist before your appointment

Bring a list of symptoms, current meds, supplements, and recent lab results. Note when symptoms started and any weight or mood changes. Write down questions about medication timing, pregnancy plans, or travel. This helps your provider make faster, clearer decisions.

When to seek help

Visit ER for chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, rapid irregular heartbeat, or sudden severe weakness and call emergency services.

If you notice steady changes in weight, mood, energy, hair, skin, or heart rhythm, book a simple blood test for TSH and free thyroid hormones. On this tag page you’ll find practical articles about thyroid meds, diet and supplements, and how to manage interactions. Read the posts, jot down questions, and bring them to your next visit.