Is it your thyroid?
Signs you shouldn't ignore
If you’ve been feeling tired, gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, or not feeling quite like yourself recently, your thyroid could be the culprit.
This small gland in your neck has a big job to do, and when it’s not functioning properly it can throw your whole body off balance. Thankfully, a simple blood test called a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test can provide you with the answers you need.
What does the thyroid do?
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland at the base of your neck. It’s responsible for producing hormones that help control key functions in your body, including: metabolism, mood and mental clarity, heart rate and body temperature, digestion and menstrual cycles and fertility.
To keep everything running smoothly your body uses a hormone produced by your brain’s pituitary gland to tell your thyroid how much hormone to release.
What happens when things go wrong?
Sometimes your thyroid may not produce the right amount of hormones which can lead to Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), or Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).
When the thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones it’s usually underactive and can lead to symptoms like tiredness, weight gain, depression, slow heart rate, dry skin and thinning hair. TSH levels are usually high when the thyroid is underactive and your brain is telling your thyroid to work harder.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, when TSH levels are usually low, you may have an overactive thyroid. This can manifest as anxiety, rapid heart rate, difficulty sleeping, feeling hot, weight loss and trembling hands.
To keep everything running smoothly your body uses a hormone produced by your brain’s pituitary gland to tell your thyroid how much hormone to release.
What is a TSH blood test?
A TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) blood test is a simple test that measures the amount of THS in your bloodstream and helps to see how your thyroid is functioning. It does this by detecting TSH, which stimulate the production of two more hormones (T3 and T4). The test itself is quick and results are ready within seven working days.
Your thyroid is small but affects so much more in your body than you might think! If you’ve been feeling off for a while and have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, a TSH blood test could be the first step to help you get the answers you need.