T3 and T4 are pretty amazing. They are the two hormones produced by your thyroid gland. They regulate your metabolism and are essential for a healthy body, affecting functions as vital as the beating of your heart and your energy levels. When your thyroid gland, which sits below your voice box, isn’t working well, you will definitely feel the consequences. Here at Scottsdale Ears, Nose and Throat, we pride ourselves on being the experts in these regions, and the thyroid plays a pretty major part in this.
Spotting the symptoms of thyroid disease
Given how important your thyroid gland is for the proper function of so many of your body’s cells, it isn’t surprising that the symptoms of thyroid disease are quite varied. These symptoms also depend on whether your thyroid is producing too little of those hormones we mentioned earlier (which is what happens in hypothyroidism) or too much (which is was happens in hyperthyroidism).
Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of different thyroid diseases:
Hypothyroidism – unexplained weight gain, persistent tiredness, depression and forgetfulness
Hyperthyroidism – unexplained weight loss, irritability, anxiousness, trouble sleeping, muscle weakness and vision problems
Goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland) – difficulty swallowing and breathing.
But what about hearing loss?
Hearing loss is also a symptom of certain thyroid diseases. Researchers still don’t know why it happens but there is a clear link between the thyroid diseases Hashimoto’s disease, Grave’s disease and Pendred Syndrome, and hearing loss.
Hearing loss also occurs after treatment for thyroid cancer and here we know it is because of the radiation and/or anti-cancer drugs damaging cells in your ears that you need for hearing.
Can you do anything to look after your thyroid?
The short answer is yes. If you have a thyroid disease you will need to get treatment from a doctor but even if you don’t have a thyroid disease, it is important to look after your health, which includes looking after your thyroid gland. Eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants, such as tomatoes and blueberries, as well as getting regular exercise will help keep your thyroid gland in good shape.
What to do if you’re worried about your thyroid
If any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned sound all too familiar, then contact your doctor. You can get your thyroid levels tested to see whether your levels are too high or too low.
If hearing loss is one of those worrying symptoms you are experiencing then it is well worth contacting one of our highly trained Audiologists in Scottsdale at Scottsdale Ear, Nose & Throat. All you need to do is call us on 480-684-1080 and we’ll get to the bottom of what is causing your hearing loss.
