Common Questions About Keeping Your Thyroid Healthy

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid

Warning signs will alert you of thyroid malfunction, which could indicate either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Here are just some of the many symptoms to look out for:

• Weight gain or weight loss
• Brittle hair
• Frequently feeling cold (or hot)
• Chronic fatigue
• Hair loss
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Heat intolerance
• Enlarged thyroid gland or goiter

Thyroid-Healthy Nutrition and Diet

Many people fail to realize the importance of nutrition on their overall health, including the functioning of their thyroids. Food and nutrition can have a major impact on thyroid function, which is why following a balanced diet full of fruit, vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats, and whole grains is essential for overall health. Many people experience thyroid symptoms because they're deficient in the important nutrient iodine so following a thyroid diet is a good idea. If you're wondering how to keep a healthy thyroid, including iodine-rich foods in the diet like seaweed, baked potatoes (with skin) eggs, dairy, cod, and more in your diet, is a good idea. These are considered "thyroid prevention foods."

Supplements

Many people experiencing thyroid dysfunction can benefit from taking certain supplements for thyroid health. Some supplements for thyroid health that people may want to try are vitamin D, selenium, zinc, iodine, and more. Some supplement manufacturers even make supplements containing multiple thyroid-regulating ingredients in one product. It's a good idea to see your doctor before self-medicating with supplements, as you could do more harm than good if you take the wrong products.

Avoid Environmental Toxins 

There are several potentially harmful environmental toxins to avoid, as they can negatively impact your entire body, including thyroid function. Many harmful environmental poisons are considered to be endocrine disruptors. An endocrine disruptor is defined as any chemical with the ability to impede the normal functioning of the endocrine and reproductive systems, which work in conjunction with one another.  These toxins are in cleaning products, personal care products, pesticides, and more. It can seem impossible to avoid these chemicals, which are sometimes carcinogenic, but with effort it's possible.

Some ways to minimize exposure to these potentially hazardous toxins are:

1. Limit your use of plastic and use glass instead whenever possible. Many plastics contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor.
2. Refrain from using non-stick cookware and use stainless steel instead, which is safer.
3. Avoid anti-bacterial soaps and other cleaning products.
4. Try to consume as many organic foods as possible, especially produce, as non-organic produce is treated with pesticides and other chemicals that can be harmful to your thyroid gland.
5. Use a high-quality water filter for both drinking and bathing, to filter out dangerous chemicals like lead, nitrogen, and more.

Annual Physical Exam

Since symptoms of thyroid disease can sometimes be vague or mistaken for other conditions, it's a good idea to see your doctor for an annual physical exam. During an annual physical exam, your doctor will likely order routine blood tests, including tests to ensure your thyroid is functioning within normal parameters. During physical exams is often when people discover that their thyroid functioning has gone south, and some even discover that they have thyroid nodules.

When You Experience These Symptoms, Consult a Thyroid Nodule Specialist

Again, there are a number of symptoms that can be experienced by people with thyroid disease that may involve thyroid nodules. Thyroid nodules are abnormal lumps (growths) within the thyroid gland, a butterfly shaped gland in the neck just below the voice box. This is a very common condition seen in approximately 30% of adults. These are more commonly seen in females. There can be single or multiple thyroid nodules. If you experience symptoms of thyroid nodules,  you should schedule an appointment and you might even want to consider seeing our thyroid specialist in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja. Our expert has specialised experience in promoting a healthy thyroid and minimally invasive treatments, especially thyroid nodule radiofrequency ablation.

When to Consider a Thyroid Specialist Assessment in Singapore

Maintaining thyroid health includes recognising when symptoms or thyroid changes require further evaluation.

Consider arranging a specialist assessment if you:

• Notice a lump or swelling in your neck.
• Have been diagnosed with a thyroid nodule.
• Experience difficulty swallowing or pressure in the neck.
• Have changes in thyroid-related blood tests.
• Notice unexplained changes in weight, energy levels or heart rate.
• Have thyroid nodules that are growing or changing.
• Want to understand whether monitoring, minimally invasive treatment or surgery may be appropriate.
• Want a second opinion about your thyroid diagnosis or treatment options.

At the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, thyroid assessment focuses on understanding your thyroid condition through clinical evaluation, imaging and personalised treatment planning.

Your specialist will help you understand:

• What your thyroid findings mean
• Whether further assessment is needed
• Which treatment options may be appropriate
• How to preserve thyroid health while addressing your condition

Reach Out to Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic for Thyroid Treatment Options

Thyroid disease can happen at any time in a person's life. As long as you pay attention to any symptoms that you might experience, and see your doctor, your condition can be treated before your thyroid function worsens. If you want to prevent thyroid disease from developing, as a highly-regarded specialised thyroid clinic in Singapore, arrange an appointment today with us for advanced care, personalized support, and cutting-edge thyroid treatment.

Other Health Conditions

Venous Diseases (Varicose Veins)

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your "go-to" facility for various vascular conditions and pain management. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our vascular specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.