The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the front of your neck. It is responsible for producing two hormones that the cells in your body need to function, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). When your thyroid produces normal amounts of these hormones, your cells and tissue function normally. However, if your thyroid level are too high or too low, you will feel the effects throughout your entire body.

Hyperthyroidism: If your thyroid gland produces excessive hormones (hyperthyroidism) your cells go into overdrive, leading to side effects like a rapid heartbeat or increased digestive function that can cause diarrhoea.

You may also experience:

• Changes to your menstrual cycle
• Unintentional weight loss
• Anxiety
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Skin thinning
• Hair becoming brittle
• Vision problems

Hypothyroidism: If you don’t produce enough thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), the cells and organs in your body will slow down. Your heart rate may decrease and your intestines can slow down enough to cause chronic constipation.

Other symptoms include:

• Changes to your menstrual cycle
• Hair loss
• Elevated cholesterol
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Brain fog
• Weight gain
• Infertility

Thyroid dysfunction is common, especially among and occurs when the thyrotropin levels are outside normal ranges. In fact, it’s thought that one in 20 people have some form of thyroid dysfunction.

A recent and limited study suggested that people with low-normal thyroid function can live up to 3.1 years longer than those with normal or high thyroid levels. While we all want to live longer, it is important to remember that life expectancy estimates in men and women are subjective. The risks of hypothyroidism outweigh the potential benefits. In addition to the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, undertreating or overtreating thyroid dysfunction increases the risk of heart disease, one of the bigger killers in the UK.

The best way to ensure a long, healthy life is to manage any health conditions you have safely and effectively. If you have an overactive thyroid that requires medical treatment, your GP or endocrinologist may prescribe medicines called thioamides as well as beta-blockers.

Hypothyroidism is usually treated with a hormone replacement medication called Levothyroxine that replaces the hormone your thyroid isn’t producing enough of. You can buy Levothyroxine tablets online in the UK from Pharmacy Planet.