Living with a thyroid condition can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Especially in the early days after a diagnosis, it is easy to feel like you are the only one who understands what you’re going through. This can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and loneliness.

A sense of community can be very helpful when dealing with health issues, particularly chronic illnesses. In fact, this was underscored in one of our previous blog posts highlighting how some thyroid patients from across the globe manage their conditions. The coping mechanisms mentioned ranged from physical exercise to social support from family and friends.

Sometimes, it really is difficult to find support from friends and family who may not understand what you’re going through.  Here’s where an anonymous thyroid community comes in. Its usefulness as an invaluable resource for people living with thyroid disorders cannot be overemphasized. An ideal community of this nature is a significant source of support, information, and advice.

Upon joining an anonymous thyroid community, you can participate by reading posts, joining discussions, asking questions, and sharing your own experiences. It is also important to always be respectful and follow community guidelines.

The rest of this article briefly highlights some benefits of engaging with an anonymous thyroid community. Joining an anonymous thyroid community allows you to:

When a person falls sick or develops an illness, the body has a way of signalling that something might be wrong. The body does this through signs and symptoms. While this is not always the case (with regards to asymptomatic conditions), both signs and symptoms are crucial in healthcare and provide important information for healthcare providers in diagnosing and managing medical conditions.

Signs and symptoms are often used interchangeably in the colloquial sense. However, they really are different. While signs (e.g., elevated blood pressure) are objective, measurable observations that healthcare professionals can detect, symptoms (e.g., nausea) are subjective experiences and sensations reported by individuals based on how they feel. Since symptoms are largely subjective, it is extremely beneficial to personally keep track of your symptoms. 

Individuals living with thyroid disorders typically experience a variety of symptoms that can fluctuate and evolve over time. Thyroid symptoms range from having difficulty sleeping to having difficulty swallowing or breathing. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, cold sensitivity, constipation, and depression. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, and irritability. One main way to track your symptoms is through journaling. Generally, when it comes to the management of diseases, symptom tracking can be regarded as a fundamental aspect of self-care management.

In a previously published article, we looked at the benefits of tracking your thyroid medication. In this article, we delve into the importance of keeping track of your thyroid symptoms. 

The rest of this article briefly highlights some benefits of tracking your thyroid symptoms:

A healthy thyroid plays a crucial role in promoting energy in the body. Should you continually experience fatigue or low energy, it is important to seek medical advice and care from your healthcare provider. If your reduced energy levels are as a result of poor thyroid health, there are some basic health measures and practices that may be of help in promoting proper thyroid health. Some of these include good nutrition, regular exercise, and regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, among other measures and practices. 

Here are some ways in which a healthy thyroid promotes energy:

• Regulating metabolism: Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) help to regulate the body’s metabolism, which is the process by which the body converts food into energy. When the thyroid hormone is at normal levels, it helps ensure the body uses glucose and fatty acids efficiently for energy. This means that energy is readily available for the body to use as needed, leading to feelings of vitality and alertness.

• Increasing oxygen consumption and facilitating ATP production: The thyroid hormones also increase oxygen consumption in the body’s cells, which is necessary for energy production. This means that more oxygen is being delivered to the cells, allowing the mitochondria (usually referred to as the “powerhouses” of the cells) to produce more ATP to meet the body’s energy needs. 

• Maintaining body temperature: A healthy thyroid also helps regulate body temperature, which can significantly impact energy levels and prevent fatigue. Thyroid hormones achieve this by influencing the rate of heat production and loss. The thyroid can regulate how much heat escapes the body through the influence of the thyroid hormone on the extent to which blood vessels dilate.

• Regulating sleep: The thyroid hormone also plays a role in regulating sleep, which is essential for maintaining optimal energy levels. Proper thyroid function can help regulate sleep patterns, ensuring the body gets the rest it needs to maintain energy levels. A body’s properly functioning sleep-wake cycle translates to restful sleep and helps prevent daytime fatigue.
• Supporting healthy mood: A healthy thyroid can also help regulate mood and cognitive function, affecting energy levels. This is owing to the thyroid hormone’s role in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. When the thyroid gland is functioning correctly, it helps to ensure that the body produces enough of these neurotransmitters, which can help promote a positive mood, cognitive function, and mental energy.