The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped structure located at the base of the neck that regulates vital functions of the body: metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, neurological development and hormonal balance.

Through the production of two main hormones – thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) – the thyroid acts as a true conductor of the human body. When this gland produces more or less hormones than the body needs, the impact can be felt in almost every system in the body, from the brain to the skin.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), thyroid disorders affect more than 750 million people in the world, and a significant percentage of them have not received a diagnosis.

Diagnose its operation

The problem with thyroid is that its symptoms are rarely specific. They are too similar to everyday exhaustion, work stress or simply the passage of time. For this reason, millions of people live for months—or even years—with a thyroid disorder without knowing it.

Doctors specializing in endocrinology warn that both excess and deficiency of thyroid hormones can go unnoticed at first, especially in women—who are five to ten times more likely to suffer from them than men—and in people over 60 years of age. “Early diagnosis is essential because it allows us to avoid serious long-term complications,” explain the main endocrinology associations.

When the thyroid produces less than necessary

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid dysfunction. It occurs when the gland does not produce enough hormones, causing the body to function slower than usual. The symptoms are gradual and, in many cases, are confused with depression or normal aging.

Most common symptoms:

Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include a hoarse voice, swelling of the face—especially around the eyes—muscle cramps, high cholesterol, and, in women, irregularities in the menstrual cycle. In advanced cases, visible swelling in the neck called goiter may occur.

When the thyroid goes into overdrive

Hyperthyroidism occurs at the opposite extreme: the thyroid produces too many hormones and the body enters a state of generalized acceleration. Its symptoms are more striking and appear more quickly, although they can also go unnoticed or be attributed to anxiety or nervousness.

Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and can be accompanied by a very characteristic symptom: exophthalmia or protrusion of the eyeballs, which gives the eyes a more prominent appearance and can cause irritation, tearing and sensitivity to light.

When to consult the doctor?

Experts recommend going to the doctor if you experience several of these symptoms persistently, especially if you have a family history of thyroid diseases, if you have received radiation therapy to the neck, if you are pregnant or in the postpartum period, or if you are over 60 years of age. Diagnosis is made through a simple blood test that measures levels of TSH – the hormone that stimulates the thyroid – and, when necessary, concentrations of T3 and T4.

The good news is that thyroid disorders have effective treatment. Hypothyroidism is treated with levothyroxine, a synthetic hormone taken orally daily that normalizes hormonal levels. Hyperthyroidism can be addressed with antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or, in some cases, surgery. Most patients with adequate treatment lead completely normal lives.