If you’ve been feeling “off” lately, struggling with your weight, experiencing unexplained mood changes or noticing differences in your hair or skin—your thyroid could be playing a role. The thyroid is the body’s largest endocrine gland and a true powerhouse. When it’s out of balance, it can impact metabolism, influence your mood, appearance and overall well-being.
Just in time for Thyroid Awareness Month, now is the perfect opportunity to learn how your thyroid influences your body, starting with recognizing the early warning signs of the most common thyroid conditions. Although many thyroid disorders exist, several symptoms tend to appear when the gland isn’t functioning properly. Understanding these changes can help you determine when it’s time to reach out to a healthcare provider. Here are the primary signs your thyroid may need attention:
When the thyroid becomes overactive (hyperthyroidism), it produces too much thyroid hormone, which speeds up your metabolism. Common symptoms include:
When the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism), it does not produce enough thyroid hormone, slowing down your metabolism. You may experience:
Because these symptoms often appear gradually, thyroid issues can go unnoticed. One of the most common noticeable signs is a change in weight. Understanding how the thyroid affects metabolism can shed light on those unexplained fluctuations.
The thyroid produces the hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), which regulate your basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the rate at which your body uses energy to maintain basic functions.
If losing or maintaining weight feels unusually difficult, your metabolism could be a factor—but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Healthy weight regulation is multifactorial. Water retention, appetite changes, muscle mass, lifestyle factors and other hormones can all contribute to unwanted pounds or unexplained weight shifts. Yet another important role of your thyroid is mood regulation, highlighting just how many systems this multipurpose gland influences.
Everyone experiences ups and downs, but persistent mood changes can sometimes signal something deeper is going on. The thyroid helps regulate mood by producing hormones that influence the central nervous system and affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which are key for emotional stability. Thyroid hormones also impact brain regions involved in mood regulation, such as the limbic system which shapes everything from energy levels to emotional responses.
Beyond mood and metabolism, the thyroid also plays a crucial role in your hair, skin and nail health. Let’s explore how the thyroid affects the way you look and feel.
Thyroid hormones support several key processes that keep hair, skin and nails healthy:
When thyroid function is imbalanced you may experience:
For some patients, Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) can help restore hormonal balance and support healthier hair, skin and energy. Getting your hormone levels evaluated through proper testing is an important first step.
Testing can help identify imbalances not only in the thyroid, but across multiple hormone systems—including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and adrenal hormones such as cortisol. Understanding these levels allows for a personalized plan tailored to your symptoms, supporting improved hormonal balance and long-term health.
“Regular hormone testing is a preventative measure that can help identify imbalances before they become serious. If you notice persistent, unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss or changes in your body like irregular periods, it’s important to come in for a checkup.”
–Dr. Naima Cheema, MD
Triple board-certified physician Naima Cheema, MD, and her team serving Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton and Atlanta, GA and the surrounding areas are hormone specialists who offer BHRT for both men and women to restore balance and relieve your symptoms.
To get your hormone levels tested and see if you would benefit from hormone replacement, book online or call Nexclin Medicine today to schedule an appointment.
