How to Check Thyroid at Home?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in front of the neck. It primarily releases two hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones collectively control the metabolism, heart rate, temperature, digestion, and bone maintenance of the human body. If the thyroid gland is underactive or overactive, it causes thyroid disorders.

When the thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of hormones, it leads to hypothyroidism, whereas the excess production of thyroid hormones causes hyperthyroidism. This article covers how to check the thyroid at home, recognise symptoms of thyroid disorders, lifestyle modifications, and when to seek medical help.

Symptoms Indicating Thyroid Disorders

The symptoms of thyroid disorders can be tricky to identify as they often overlap with other medical conditions or life stages. Moreover, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have symptoms opposite to each other. These are listed below:

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

• Slower heart rate
• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Dry skin
• Heavy menstrual bleeding 
• Weight gain

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism:

• Increased heart rate 
• Difficulty in falling asleep
• Sweaty skin
• Irregular menstrual cycle 
• Weight loss
•  Goitre (swelling of the thyroid gland)

If one notices any of these symptoms, one must immediately reach out to the healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and timely treatment.

Importance of Regular Thyroid Checks

Early detection of the thyroid through regular screenings allows an individual to manage the disorder efficiently. It also ensures prompt action from their healthcare provider to prevent the condition from worsening. This is most important during pregnancy, as untreated thyroid can affect both the mother and the foetus.

Moreover, if someone has a family history of thyroid disorders, they should also consider getting their thyroid checked. Without timely treatment, the thyroid can disrupt the normal functioning of the human body.

Extreme hyperthyroidism, which goes untreated, may also lead to a thyroid storm. Symptoms may include high fever, excessive sweating, increased heart rate, fainting, heart failure, and even coma.

Ways to Check Thyroid at Home

While a proper diagnosis requires a medical practitioner, there are a few methods to check the thyroid at home that can help identify potential issues early.

One of them is called the water test and can be performed as follows:

• Standing in front of a mirror and tilting the head back.
• Taking a sip of water and swallowing it while observing the neck closely.
• Looking out for any unusual lumps, bulges, or swelling in the area around the thyroid, just below the Adam’s apple.

If anything unusual is noticed while performing this test, one must consult a doctor for further evaluation.

Another effective way of monitoring the symptoms at home is by journaling. One can keep track of the following symptoms:

• Changes in heart rate (too fast or slow)
• Changes in weight (gain or loss)
• Energy levels (fatigue or hyperactivity)
• Mood disorders (anxiety or depression)
• Dry skin
• Hair thinning 
• Sensitivity to heat or cold

One can note down these symptoms, their frequency, and intensity. Reviewing these with the doctor can provide a clear picture of the thyroid disorder. 

Home Thyroid Testing Kits

A simple way to check the thyroid is by using an at-home thyroid testing kit. These kits are designed to measure the levels of thyroid hormones, including triiodothyronine and thyroxine. One must collect a blood sample by pricking one's finger. Here’s how to do it:

• Sanitize hands using an alcohol swab.
• Use the provided lancet to prick your finger and collect the blood sample on the testing card.
• Send out this sample to the specified laboratory as mentioned in the kit. 
• Within a few days, the detailed results will be provided online or in person.

However, choosing the right kit is also important. One can follow the guide below:

• If checking the thyroid for the first time, it’s essential to opt for a comprehensive thyroid panel, which assesses all major thyroid hormones and proteins for a detailed result.
• For routine monitoring, using a basic TSH kit is ideal. 
• Those with a fear of needles can purchase a saliva or urine-based kit. 

Understanding Test Results

Once thyroid tests are conducted at home, it is crucial to understand the difference between normal and abnormal levels. 

Understanding the results of a home kit is also crucial in taking the next step.

Here’s what one should look for:

• Comparing the hormone levels with the normal ranges given in the report. 
• If the TSH level is higher than normal, it could indicate hypothyroidism. On the other hand, low TSH levels indicate hyperthyroidism. 
• One should also look at their T3 and T4 levels, even if the TSH level is normal, as this may point to a dysfunction.

Once interpreted, one must reach out to a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and further treatment planning.

Lifestyle Factors Affecting Thyroid Health

Although thyroid disorders cannot be avoided, they can be controlled with dietary and lifestyle modifications. The following advice can be kept in mind:

• One must avoid the consumption of ultra-processed foods, including frozen meals, instant foods, cookies, and many others.
• If a person is taking hypothyroid medications, they must include iodine in their diet to regulate the natural production of thyroid hormones. For instance, they may include cheese, yoghurt, cow’s milk, and saltwater fish in the diet. Whereas, if one is on hyperthyroid medications, opting for a low-iron diet, including egg whites, decaffeinated tea or coffee, oats, potatoes, etc., can be beneficial.

Stress can also negatively impact the thyroid gland. When a person is under stress, the body releases a hormone called cortisol, which can interfere with the production and regulation of thyroid hormones. As a result, an autoimmune disorder called Graves’ disease may develop, which leads to hypothyroidism.

However, one can easily manage stress by incorporating mindfulness, meditation, low-intensity exercises, and a proper sleep routine in one's daily life by seeking advice from a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

The thyroid affects nearly every organ of the human body. Thus, the deficiency or excess production of its hormones prevents the normal functioning of the body. To prevent this, regular monitoring of the thyroid gland can be carried out using an at-home thyroid kit.

One should also reach out to their healthcare professional if one notices any symptoms or receives alarming test results. These will save the individual from long-term complications and help them treat the disorder on time.