Bad Berka, May 25, 2022 — For today’s World Thyroid Day, Prof. Dieter Hörsch recommends knowing the symptoms of a diseased thyroid gland and living a healthy thyroid life. “The thyroid is a small but extremely important organ for many functions in our body. If the thyroid gland is underactive or overactive, those affected experience serious changes,” says the chief physician at the Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology at the Bad Berka Central Clinic.
The signs of hypofunction include fatigue, depressive moods, skin changes, sensitivity to cold, hair loss and weight gain with unchanged food intake. Hyperfunction can be present if the blood pressure suddenly rises, sleep problems, nervousness, increased sweating, weight loss despite unchanged eating habits and palpitations occur. “If you have these symptoms, you should see your doctor. The blood values then provide information as to whether there is a functional disorder in the thyroid gland,” explains the chief physician.
However, a thyroid-healthy diet is suitable for most people. Twice a week fish, broccoli, parsley, seaweed, spinach, porcini mushrooms and thyme are good for thyroid function. “The thyroid needs iodine, selenium, calcium, iron as well as vitamin A and vitamin D for a good function, the latter can also be produced by the body itself through a lot of exercise outdoors”, says Prof. Dieter Hörsch.
The number of thyroid diseases is also increasing due to demographic developments. Most thyroid diseases can be treated with medication, but in some cases surgery is required, e.g. B. in the case of a pathologically severe enlargement of the thyroid gland, which also leads to problems with breathing or swallowing. However, an intervention can also be caused by an overactive thyroid gland, a disorder in the immune system with inflammation of the thyroid gland or the rare infestation with cancer cells.
The thyroid controls important functions throughout the body. B. through the production of their hormones involved in controlling the oxygen consumption of the cells, in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, i.e. the entire energy metabolism. The thyroid gland is also involved in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract.