Thyroid health concerns often fly under the radar for men, in large part because women are up to eight times more likely to have thyroid issues than men.
Just because it’s more prevalent in women, however, doesn’t mean that men should be unaware. Thyroid issues affect from 3% to 16% of men, with the rate going up with age.
Regardless of your sex, your thyroid plays a crucial role in your well-being, and ignoring its signals can lead to serious consequences.
At BodyLogicMD in Glastonbury, Connecticut, integrative medicine specialist Dr. Anita Petruzzelli expertly addresses men’s health issues, including thyroid issues.
Below, Dr. Petruzzelli explains what your thyroid does and how to spot the signs that yours isn’t functioning quite right.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck and right below your voice box. It’s part of your endocrine system, and although it’s small, it's responsible for producing hormones that regulate your metabolism, body temperature, energy levels, and much more.
A thyroid that isn't functioning properly can throw your entire body out of whack. It can even impact sex hormones like testosterone. This occurs because your thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating the production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHGB), a protein that is synthesized by your liver.
SHBG controls the availability of sex hormones circulating in your bloodstream. Thyroid issues can make your SHBG increase or decrease.
The bottom line: You need a fully functioning thyroid, and any imbalance can have ripple effects on your overall physical health.
Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by an underactive thyroid gland that results in insufficient production of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is marked by an overactive thyroid gland, which leads to excessive production of thyroid hormones.
Your symptoms may vary depending on whether you have an overactive or underactive thyroid. Here are common signs of thyroid issues:
Are you suddenly gaining or losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine? Your thyroid could be to blame. When your thyroid hormones are out of balance, it can impact your metabolism.
Unexplained weight loss is usually associated with hyperthyroidism, while weight gain is associated with hypothyroidism. According to the American Thyroid Association, people often gain 5-10 pounds from thyroid-related issues.
It’s one thing to feel tired after a late night, but if you constantly feel tired, even after a full night's sleep, thyroid issues might be draining your energy.
Note: if you have hyperthyroidism, you may feel energetic at first because your metabolism is sped up. However, over time, your body will tire out and fatigue will set in.
Hormonal imbalances can lead to mood swings and increased irritability. You might also struggle with difficulty concentrating, brain fog, depression, and anxiety.
Your thyroid regulates your heart rate, so any changes could signal a problem. You might notice a slower-than-normal or a higher-than-normal heart rate depending on whether you have a slow or overactive thyroid.
If thyroid issues spiral into low testosterone, you may notice:
If you spot any of these warning signs of a thyroid disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out to the BodyLogicMD team. Thyroid disorders are quickly and easily diagnosed through bloodwork.
Depending on your lab results, Dr. Petruzzelli can create a plan to restore your hormone balance. The approach may include supplements, medications, dietary modifications (focusing on foods rich in iodine, selenium, and zinc), and exercise plans.
To learn more about thyroid disorders or to get the symptom relief you need, call us at 860-341-1205, or click here to request an appointment through our website.
