Call
+918447748545

Published on: Jul 29, 2021
3 minute read
By: Secondmedic Expert

Your Easy Guide To Thyroid Health: Signs, Tests, And What To Do

Thyroid problems are quite common but can be confusing. They can affect how you feel overall. This easy-to-follow guide is here to help you understand thyroid issues better. We'll talk about the signs, tests, and how to treat them. By making things simple and easy to understand, we want to give you the knowledge to take control of your thyroid health.

Checking Your Thyroid:

When doctors want to know about your thyroid, they do a special health check called a blood test. This test helps them see if your thyroid hormones, called T3 and T4, are normal. They also check another thing called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). If your TSH levels are high, it might mean that your T3 and T4 are not being made enough.

Sometimes, doctors only need to look at TSH levels to understand what's going on with your thyroid. But if there's something unusual with T3 or T4, they might need to check those too.

This blood test is like a detective tool. It not only finds out if your thyroid is working right but also helps doctors rule out other health problems. If your thyroid isn't making enough T3 or T4, it's called an "underactive" thyroid. If it's making too much, it's called an "overactive" thyroid.

Starting Treatment:

When a thyroid problem is found, the next important thing is figuring out how to make it better. The type of treatment and when to start it depend on how bad the problem is and what symptoms are happening.

If someone has hypothyroidism for less than a year, the usual treatment is taking man-made hormones to replace the ones the body is not making enough of. But if the condition has been there for a long time, a person might need both man-made hormones and a special surgery on the thyroid gland to fix the real issue. If the thyroid gland is taken out, the main treatment is using man-made hormones to replace the missing ones.

Thyroid Imbalance Signs:

It's important to know the signs of thyroid imbalance to catch any issues early on. These signs can be different for everyone, so being aware and having regular check-ups is really important.

1. Feeling Cold Easily:

One common sign of thyroid imbalance is feeling extra sensitive to the cold. Even on warm days, you might feel chilly. This could be a sign that your T3 and T4 levels are low.

2. Always Tired:

If you're always tired, feel drained, and lack energy, it could be a sign of thyroid imbalance. This often happens when your T3 and T4 levels are not where they should be.

3. Changes in Emotions:

Thyroid issues can affect how you feel emotionally. You might become more irritable, moody, or even feel a bit down. These changes are connected to imbalances in T3 and T4.

4. Headaches:

While stress is a common cause of headaches, having low T3 and T4 levels in hypothyroidism can also contribute. It's important to understand this link for a correct diagnosis.

Remember, if you notice any of these signs, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor. They can help figure out what's going on and guide you on the best steps to take for your health. Regular check-ups can catch potential thyroid issues early, ensuring you stay in good health.

Early Diagnosis for Optimal Management:

Finding out about thyroid problems early is super important because these issues usually don't get better on their own. But figuring out if something's wrong can be tricky because the symptoms are different for each person and can be kind of sneaky. For example, hypothyroidism can make you gain weight, but it might not be obvious if you start out thin and slowly put on weight. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism has more noticeable signs like losing weight, eyes that stick out, and having a hoarse voice. So, catching these problems early helps manage them better.

Treating Thyroid Problems:

When it comes to fixing issues with your thyroid, the plan is made just for you. You might get thyroid pills, and how much you take depends on things like your age, if you're a boy or a girl, and how healthy you are.

For people with hypothyroidism (when your thyroid is not active enough), they use fake hormones called T3 and T4 to replace the ones your body is missing. You can take these hormones as medicine, or sometimes the doctor takes them from your thyroid using a small procedure, like when you're sleeping.

If your thyroid is too active, which is called hyperthyroidism, they use fake hormones to slow it down. This helps your thyroid work normally and keeps you healthy.

Understanding thyroid problems is really important. It helps us know about the signs, how doctors figure it out, and what can be done to treat it. If you think you might have a thyroid issue, it's super important to see a doctor quickly. Also, keeping an eye on your health with regular check-ups is a great way to make sure your thyroid stays in good shape, keeping you healthy no matter your age or background.

Read FAQs

A. The best test to check for thyroid problems is a blood test. It helps doctors see if your thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are normal. They might also check thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This test is like a detective tool to understand how your thyroid is working.

A. The 3 main thyroid tests are: - T3 and T4 levels: These are your thyroid hormones. - TSH level: This shows if your thyroid is making enough hormones. These tests help doctors figure out if your thyroid is healthy.

A. You can't check your thyroid at home, but you can maintain thyroid health naturally by eating well and staying active. Include iodine-rich foods, like seafood, and foods with selenium, like nuts. Regular exercise and a balanced diet help keep your thyroid in good shape. If you notice any symptoms, it's best to see a doctor for a proper check-up.

Read Blog

Chest Pain While Breathing: Causes, Warning Signs, and When to Seek Urgent Care

Chest pain is one of the most alarming symptoms a person can experience, especially when it worsens during breathing. Chest pain while breathing, also known as pleuritic chest pain, often indicates involvement of the lungs, chest wall or surrounding structures. While some causes are mild, others can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

In India, respiratory infections, air pollution, sedentary lifestyles and delayed medical care contribute significantly to chest-related symptoms.

What Does Chest Pain While Breathing Mean?

Chest pain while breathing refers to pain that:

worsens with deep inhalation or exhalation
may feel sharp, stabbing or burning
can be localized or spread across the chest

Pain intensity often increases with coughing or movement.

Common Causes of Chest Pain While Breathing

Lung Infections (Pneumonia)

Pneumonia inflames lung tissue and surrounding membranes.

Symptoms include:

chest pain while breathing
fever
cough
breathlessness

ICMR data identifies pneumonia as a major cause of respiratory illness in India.

Pleuritis (Inflammation of Lung Lining)

The pleura are thin membranes surrounding the lungs.

When inflamed:

breathing causes friction
sharp chest pain occurs

Pleuritis often follows viral infections or pneumonia.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot in the lungs causes:

sudden chest pain
rapid breathing
severe breathlessness

This is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.

Chest Wall Muscle Strain

Muscle strain due to:

heavy lifting
intense coughing
poor posture

can cause pain during breathing or movement.

Costochondritis

Inflammation of rib cartilage causes:

localized chest pain
pain worsened by breathing or pressing on the chest

This condition is painful but not life-threatening.

Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)

Air leakage into the chest cavity causes:

sudden sharp chest pain
breathlessness

Often seen after trauma or in individuals with lung disease.

Heart-Related Causes

Though heart pain usually does not worsen with breathing, conditions such as:

pericarditis (heart lining inflammation)

can cause chest pain that changes with respiration.

Acid Reflux and Esophageal Spasm

Gastrointestinal causes may mimic chest pain.

However:

pain usually relates to meals
breathing-related pain should be evaluated carefully

Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Anxiety can cause:

chest tightness
rapid breathing
discomfort while breathing

Medical causes must be ruled out before attributing pain to anxiety.

Warning Signs That Require Emergency Attention

Seek immediate medical care if chest pain while breathing is associated with:

sudden onset
severe breathlessness
bluish lips or fingers
dizziness or fainting
sweating
coughing up blood

These may indicate life-threatening conditions.

Risk Factors for Serious Chest Pain

Higher risk occurs in people with:

smoking history
recent surgery or long travel
lung disease
heart disease
clotting disorders

Early evaluation is critical.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Doctors may recommend:

physical examination
chest X-ray
ECG
blood tests
CT scan

Timely diagnosis saves lives.

Why Chest Pain Should Not Be Ignored

Ignoring chest pain can lead to:

delayed treatment
worsening respiratory failure
preventable complications

WHO emphasises early symptom recognition for better outcomes.

Impact of Air Pollution and Lifestyle

Air pollution increases:

lung inflammation
infection risk

Sedentary habits reduce lung capacity, worsening symptoms.

Preventive Measures

Helpful preventive steps include:

avoiding smoking
staying physically active
managing respiratory infections early
maintaining good posture
staying hydrated

Preventive care reduces risk.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Regular health screening helps detect:

early lung disease
heart risk factors
chronic inflammation

Early intervention prevents emergencies.

When Chest Pain Is Less Likely Serious

Pain may be less concerning if:

localized
reproducible on touch
improves with rest

However, medical confirmation is still necessary.

Importance of Timely Medical Consultation

Chest pain should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Delaying care can:

increase complications
raise mortality risk

Early action saves lives.

Conclusion

Chest pain while breathing is a critical symptom that should never be ignored. While causes range from muscle strain and infections to serious lung and heart conditions, only proper medical evaluation can determine the exact cause. Early diagnosis, timely treatment and preventive care are essential to protect respiratory and cardiovascular health. When it comes to chest pain, it is always safer to act early than to wait.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Respiratory and Cardiovascular Health Reports
World Health Organization (WHO) – Chest Pain and Respiratory Symptoms Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Respiratory Health Data
Lancet – Pulmonary Embolism and Chest Pain Research
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Early Symptom Recognition

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.