Heart failure
5 Thyroid Myths Doctors Say To Stop Believing Now
It's true that this butterfly-shaped gland in your neck keeps your metabolism on course, but it is not to blame every time things go south. Experts share thyroid myths to stop believing now.
1. Myth: If you have unexplained weight gain and fatigue, it's most likely a thyroid problem.Mythbuster: While these symptoms can point to a thyroid issue, "weight gain and fatigue can result from other factors such as diet, lifestyle, stress, and poor sleep," says Mihail Zilbermint, M.D., M.B.A., an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The thyroid releases hormones that help regulate many bodily functions, and when it puts out too much of them, that's known as hyperthyroidism. When it secretes too little (hypothyroidism), you may gain weight and feel fatigued. Ask your doctor for a thorough evaluation, advises Dr. Zilbermint, especially if you've noticed a heart rate shift; unexplained weight changes; difficulty sleeping or staying awake; sensitivity to cold or heat; jitteriness or anxiety; depression; irritability; or significant shifts in your menstrual cycle.
2. Myth: Neck lumps are typically thyroid cancer.Mythbuster: "Most of these lumps are benign," says Theodore C. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of internal medicine at Charles R. Drew University and UCLA School of Medicine. In fact, thyroid nodules are far more common than most people realize, occurring in up to 65% of people, and are cancerous only around 10% of the time. Also, neck lumps aren't always related to the thyroid—they can be caused by swollen lymph nodes or cysts, which often go away on their own. Still, if you notice a lump that's not going away, talk to your doctor—thyroid cancer, even if it is that, is highly treatable.
3. Myth: People who have hyperthyroidism are lucky because they can eat whatever they want.Mythbuster: Any envy is misplaced. While those with hyperthyroidism may not gain weight easily or at all, the condition can cause serious heart problems, including stroke and heart failure, when left untreated. And even if an overactive thyroid speeds up their metabolism, no one gets a free pass to "eat whatever they want." "A faster metabolism can lead to weight loss and increased hunger, but it's still essential to maintain a balanced diet, as eating unhealthy foods can lead to other problems such as nutrient deficiencies and heart disease," says Dr. Zilbermint. Hyperthyroidism should be treated—and once it is, "bad eating habits may remain, so it's always best to stick to a healthy lifestyle to ensure overall well-being," he adds.
4. Myth: Those with hypothyroidism can't lose weight.Mythbuster: They can! "With proper medication, a balanced diet, and regular exercise, people with hypo thyroidism can lose weight," says Dr. Zilbermint. An underactive thyroid can generally add between five and 10 pounds to a person's weight, often due to fluid retention. But medication can help return thyroid levels to normal range, supporting their efforts to get back to their previous weight. According to the American Thyroid Association, "once hypothyroidism has been treated and thyroid levels are normal, the ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in patients who do not have thyroid problems." Which is to say that while losing weight is never easy, it is not impossible.
5. Myth: Supplements are as good as medication for treating thyroid issues.Mythbuster: Self-treatment isn't the way to go. Instead, stick to the medication your doctor prescribes. For hypothyroidism, that's usually levo thyroxine, which mimics the hormones your body should make, essentially replacing what your thyroid isn't producing. For hyperthyroidism, the most common drug is methimazole, which helps slow down the overproduction of hormones. Keep in mind that many supposedly thyroid-aiding supplements contain iodine, which can cause problems. Typically, the iodine from your diet should be enough to support thyroid function, and too much can make autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's disease (which can cause hypothyroidism) worse. Always tell your doctor about any supplements you're taking for any reason.
Related StoriesHeart Disease: Types, Causes, And Symptoms
Heart disease isn't just one thing. It's a number of conditions that can affect how your heart works. Heart disease can also be called cardiovascular disease, though that term covers blood vessels problems as well.
Heart disease is a major killer in the U.S., causing about 1 in 5 deaths, or about 700,000 a year.
Each type of heart disease has its own symptoms and treatment. If you have some kinds, lifestyle changes and medicine can make a huge difference in your health. For others, you may need surgery to make your ticker work well again.
Here are some of the common types of heart disease and how to prevent, recognize, and treat them.
Heart disease can affect different parts of your heart and circulatory system, including arteries that carry blood to and from the heart and valves that open and close to keep blood moving in the right direction at the right time. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images)
CAD is the most common heart problem and the biggest killer.
With CAD, you get blockages in your coronary arteries — the vessels that supply blood to your heart. That can reduce the flow of blood to your heart muscle, keeping it from getting the oxygen it needs. The disease usually starts as a result of atherosclerosis, sometimes called hardening of the arteries. When you have that condition, deposits called plaque build up in your arteries, often over many years.
Coronary heart disease can give you pain in your chest, called angina, or lead to a heart attack. It can also contribute to other heart problems, such as abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure.
Some things that may put you at a higher risk of CAD are:
When you have an arrhythmia, your heart beats too fast, too slow, or in an irregular, uneven pattern.
Some arrhythmias are harmless. But others can put you at a serious risk of problems such as cardiac arrest and stroke. They may also cause symptoms like dizziness and fainting.
Serious arrhythmias often develop from other heart problems but may also happen on their own. You're at higher risk if you smoke, drink alcohol, or have health problems such as obesity, high blood sugar, or sleep apnea.
With heart failure, your heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should to meet your body's needs. It is usually caused by CAD, but it can also happen because you have thyroid disease, high blood pressure, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), or certain other conditions.
Your heart has four valves that open and close to direct blood flow between your heart's four chambers, the lungs, and blood vessels. An abnormality could make it hard for a valve to open and close the right way. When that happens, your blood flow could be blocked or blood can leak.
The causes of heart valve problems include infections such as rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, high blood pressure, CAD, and damage from a heart attack.
Diseases of the heart valves include:
Endocarditis. This is an infection that's usually caused by bacteria, which may enter the blood and take root in your heart during illness, after surgery, or after using IV drugs. It often happens if you already have valve problems. Antibiotics can usually cure it, but the disease is life threatening without treatment. If your heart valves are seriously damaged as a result of endocarditis, you may need valve replacement surgery.
Rheumatic heart disease. This condition develops when your heart muscle and valves are damaged by rheumatic fever, which is linked to strep throat and scarlet fever. Rheumatic heart disease was more common in the past. But doctors are now able to prevent it by using antibiotics to treat the diseases that lead to it. If you do get it, the symptoms usually show up many years after the infection.
Any disease of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds your heart, is called a pericardial disease. One of the more common diseases is pericarditis or inflammation of the pericardium.
It's usually caused by an infection with a virus, inflammatory diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or injury to your pericardium. Pericarditis often follows open heart surgery.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of your heart muscle, or myocardium. It gets stretched, thickened, or stiff. Your heart may get too weak to pump well.
There are many possible causes of the disease, including genetic heart conditions, reactions to certain drugs or toxins (such as alcohol), and viral infections. Sometimes, chemotherapy for cancer causes cardiomyopathy. Many times, doctors can't find the exact cause.
Congenital heart disease happens when something goes wrong while the heart is forming before birth. The heart abnormality sometimes leads to problems right after birth, but other times, there aren't any symptoms until adulthood.
Septal abnormalities are among the most common congenital heart problems. These are holes in the wall that separates the left and right sides of your heart. You can get a procedure to patch the hole.
Another type of abnormality is called pulmonary stenosis. A narrow valve reduces the flow of blood to your lungs. A procedure or surgery can open or replace the valve.
In some babies, a small blood vessel known as the ductus arteriosus doesn't close up at birth as it should. When this happens, some blood leaks back into the pulmonary artery, which puts strain on the heart. Doctors can treat this with surgery or a procedure or sometimes with medication.
Heart disease symptoms vary, depending on the kind of heart disease you have. In some cases, symptoms of different conditions overlap; in others, they don't. Here are some symptoms you might see with common types.
CAD
Arrythmias
Heart failure
Heart valve disease
Cardiomyopathy
Congenital heart disease
If you have symptoms of heart disease, your doctor will start with the basics: examining you and listening to your heart with a stethoscope. They'll also want to know about your family and medical history.
From there, you might get some tests, depending on your symptoms and history. They might include:
Blood tests. These include the routine tests you get for cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In some cases, you might get tests for proteins linked to inflamed arteries and heart attacks.
Chest X-ray. This can show if your heart is enlarged.
EKG. This test records the electrical signals in your heart and shows the rate and rhythm of your heartbeats.
Echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to make detailed images of your heart in motion. It can show how blood moves through the heart and heart valves.
Exercise tests or stress tests. You might use a treadmill or stationary bike while your heart is checked.
Cardiac catheterization. If you might have blockages in your heart arteries, you can get this test, in which a long, thin flexible tube called a catheter is inserted in a blood vessel and guided to your heart. Dye can then be injected to help the arteries show up on X-rays.
Depending on your type of heart disease, your treatment might start with lifestyle changes and include medications, procedures, and rehabilitation.
Medications for heart disease
These include medications to:
Procedures for heart disease
These include:
Cardiac rehabilitation
If you've had a heart attack, angioplasty, or heart surgery or if you have heart failure, you can benefit from this kind of program. Cardiac rehab includes:
Because heart disease is the leading cause of death, taking steps to protect your heart is important, whether you've been diagnosed with heart disease or not.
Here are some ways to keep your heart in the best shape possible:
Don't smoke. Smoking isn't just bad for your lungs. It harms your heart and blood vessels, too. Quitting can quickly improve your heart health.
Get or stay active. Try to get your heart pumping with 150 minutes a week of moderate activity, like brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, like running.
Eat heart-healthy foods. That means lots of fruits and veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like those found in olive oil and avocados. Limit salt, sugar, alcohol, and highly processed foods.
Get enough sleep. Most adults need at least seven hours a night.
Reduce stress. If you're constantly on edge, try relaxation exercises or meditation. Getting more physical activity can help, too.
Get regular checkups. Make sure you know your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels and take steps to improve them if needed.
Having heart disease can have a big impact on your life and keep you from doing the things you'd like to do. The most common form of heart disease, CAD, is a major killer. But you can prevent or limit the damage from most forms of heart diseases. Living a heart-healthy lifestyle and working with your doctor to recognize and treat heart problems can make a big difference.
Can you live a long life with heart disease?
In many cases, the answer is yes. Of course, it depends on the type of heart disease you have and how effectively it's treated, as well as your health habits. For example, people who get treated for CAD can stop artery buildup from getting worse and prevent heart attacks, potentially adding years to their lives. And people with some conditions, including heart failure, are living longer than they did in the past, thanks to advances in medicine.
What are the two warning signs of heart disease?
Heart disease can have many warning signs. For the most common type, CAD, the two most common symptoms are chest pain and shortness of breath.
What happens after you get diagnosed with heart disease?
After the diagnosis, it's important to work with your doctor to get the best care and understand what's going on with your heart. So ask lots of questions — like whether you'll need more tests and treatments and what you should do if you have new symptoms. You may need to have regular visits with a heart doctor and make changes to your diet or other habits. In many cases, you'll need to take medicine for the rest of your life.
7 Complications Of Graves' Disease
Graves' disease occurs when the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces more thyroid hormones. This may lead to other medical complications, including issues with your heart, bones, and eyes.
Your thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the throat, makes hormones that help the body use energy. These hormones affect nearly every organ in the body.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. This leads to overactivity, which is also known as hyperthyroidism.
Most of the symptoms and complications of Graves' disease are caused by your body producing too much of these thyroid hormones. Over time, Graves' disease may cause long-term effects that cause problems with your heart, bones, skin, and eyes, especially if it's not adequately treated.
Keep reading to learn more about seven possible complications of Graves' disease and how to recognize, prevent, and treat each of them.
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an inflammatory eye disease that occurs when your immune cells mistakenly attack the fat and connective tissues around the eyes. Graves' disease is the number one cause of TED, which is why it's often referred to as:
Symptoms of TED may include:
Treatment for TED may include medications like steroids to reduce inflammation, an IV medication called teprotumumab (Tepezza), and radiation treatment.
If you smoke, quitting can help you manage your TED symptoms. In some cases, you might need surgery to treat any permanent structural changes around the eyes.
Thyroid hormones are essential for skeletal development and bone metabolism.
According to the British Thyroid Foundation, too much thyroid hormone — which occurs with Graves' disease — speeds up the rate at which bone mass is lost and mineral density decreases. This can lead to osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.
You may not have any symptoms of osteoporosis at first. As the condition progresses, however, it can increase your risk of bone fractures.
There's no cure for osteoporosis, but medications, vitamins, and lifestyle changes can help strengthen the bones. Treatment options include:
Graves' disease can cause reddened, thickened, and rough skin on the shins and feet. This is called Graves' dermopathy or pretibial myxedema.
This complication may affect up to 3 in 100 people with Graves' disease. However, older studies suggest it may affect up to 15% of people with severe Graves' disease.
This complication is usually mild but can cause some pain and discomfort. It often resolves without treatment, but can also be treated locally with topical steroids or steroid injections.
Too much thyroid hormone can affect the cardiovascular system, leading to an increase in your heart rate and the amount of blood your heart pumps.
By making the heart work harder and faster, Graves' disease may overload the heart. This could lead to heart failure and other serious complications, including:
Depending on the specific condition, heart issues from Graves' disease can be treated with medication, such as beta-blockers, along with an anti-thyroid agent to control the amount of thyroid hormones in your body.
Thyroid storm, also known as thyrotoxic crisis, is a rare complication of Graves' disease. It's caused by a sudden, large increase in thyroid hormones.
Thyroid storm is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms of thyroid storm may include:
Thyroid storm requires urgent treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). If you have Graves' disease and experience symptoms of thyroid storm, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.
Excessive production of hormones in Graves' disease causes the thyroid gland to enlarge, resulting in noticeable swelling in your neck. This is called a goiter.
Goiters are usually painless, but in some cases, they can grow large enough that they cause issues like:
Anti-thyroid drugs used to help treat Graves' disease may also help shrink a goiter.
Untreated Graves' disease may lead to complications with pregnancy, including:
Research suggests that the key to managing pregnancy complications when you have Graves' disease is to maintain normal thyroid hormone levels throughout your pregnancy.
If you're planning to get pregnant and you have Graves' disease, talk with your doctor about how to prevent pregnancy complications.
Graves' disease could sometimes lead to blood complications like pancytopenia and agranulocytosis.
Pancytopenia
Pancytopenia is a very rare complication of Graves' disease. It's a condition characterized by low red and white blood cells and platelets.
Research suggests a hyperactive thyroid associated with Graves' disease may lead to pancytopenia by:
Symptoms of pancytopenia may include:
Treatment for pancytopenia will include an anti-thyroid drug to help treat the hyperactive thyroid.
Agranulocytosis
A type of medication used to treat Graves' disease called thionamides may lead to agranulocytosis. This condition happens when you have a very low count of white blood cells called granulocytes.
Symptoms of agranulocytosis are similar to pancytopenia and may include:
It's important to get immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. Agranulocytosis impacts your immune system and may increase your risk of developing a life threatening infection.
Prompt treatment for Graves' disease can improve your symptoms and help lower your chances of experiencing complications.
You may be able to prevent complications of Graves' disease by:
What happens if you leave Graves disease untreated?
If left untreated, an overactive thyroid associated with Graves disease may lead to complications that could affect your skin, heart, lungs, blood, and muscles.
What are the life threatening complications of Graves' disease?
Some life threatening complications of Graves' disease may include thyroid storm, cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke, high risk pregnancy, and blood conditions like agranulocytosis.
Graves' disease causes hyperthyroidism. Serious complications can occur if thyroid hormone levels aren't brought back to normal levels.
Graves' disease is usually treated with medications, radiation, or surgery. Talk with your doctor to help you choose the best treatment option to help prevent further complications.
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