ASK MAYA APA

Dear Maya Apa, 
I am a 19-year-old girl. I have noticed that for the last month I always feel hot even during the winter months. As well as this I am always hungry but no matter how much I eat I am still losing weight. A friend of mine started to lose weight and she was diagnosed with a thyroid problem. Do you think I could have the same thing?

Dear Reader,
Thank you for sharing your problem with us. Yes you are most certainly right. The symptoms you speak of are mostly likely due to being an imbalance in your thyroid hormone. First of all it is important to understand what the thyroid hormone does. 

The thyroid hormone is released from the thyroid gland which is located in our necks. This hormone is considered to be the “housekeeping hormone” as in it regulates all the various processes going on in our body so that we can maintain our health. A thyroid hormone imbalance can cause temperature fluctuations, low mood, heart palpitations, dry skin, our bowel movements and even affect a girl's menstruation cycle. This is why it is very important to maintain a normal thyroid hormone level.

There are many causes for thyroid imbalance. In some cases it can be an autoimmune process, where the body produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. The gland can also have nodules which produce excessive thyroid hormones. Thyroid is made from iodine so if a person has an excess of iodine in their diet it can cause thyroid disturbance.

The symptoms that you speak of describe an elevation in thyroid hormone. The medical term is “Hyperthyroidism” which means that the Thyroid gland is producing too much thyroid. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are listed below:

Increased appetite but weight loss 
Hot flushes 
Hand tremors 
Palpitations 
Sweating 
Diarrhoea 
Irregular periods 
Muscle weakness 
Fatigue 
Anxiety 
These are just a few of the many symptoms that hyperthyroidism can cause.
Just as the thyroid gland can produce too much thyroid hormone, it can also produce too little and this is called Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroid symptoms are weight gain, dry hair, irregular periods, depression etc.

If you suspect that you have a thyroid problem then you have to see a specialist on endocrinology. The doctor will advise you to get thyroid function tests (a blood test) done. This will confirm whether you have hyperthyroidism or not.

There are many treatments available for this condition ranging from medication to iodine therapy to surgery. You can discuss your treatment options with your doctor. It can take time for medical treatment to normalise thyroid function there are some things that you can do to cope with the symptoms.

Ensure you have a nutritious diet that contains calcium and vitamin D as hyperthyroidism can cause bone thinning. 

Do not worry. This is a condition that can be easily diagnosed and treated. If you follow your doctor's advice and receive regular treatment then you should be able to maintain a healthy life.