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December 03, 2022 9 min read

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with our bodies - sinus problems and thyroid issues are two of them. But can one cause the other? Turns out, they might be more linked than we thought. Here's what you need to know about the connection between thyroid issues and sinus problems.

How does the thyroid work, and what is thyroid disease?

Thyroid disease is a condition that affects the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below Adam's apple. This gland produces two hormones, T4 and T3, which help regulate metabolism. The hormones help the body use energy, stay warm, and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should. Thyroid disease can cause the gland to produce too much or too little of these hormones, resulting in an imbalance that can lead to a variety of symptoms.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the pituitary gland tells the thyroid gland how much hormone to make. The secretion of the thyroid-stimulating hormone is regulated by a feedback loop between the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the pituitary gland releases more TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. When thyroid hormone levels are high, the pituitary gland reduces its release of TSH.

The rate at which the thyroid produces and releases these hormones is regulated by the hypothalamus, located at the base of the brain in conjunction with the pituitary gland.

The symptoms of thyroid disease

If you suffer from thyroid disease, you might notice several different symptoms. Unfortunately, thyroid problem symptoms are frequently very similar to the signs of other medical conditions and stages of life. Because of this, it may be challenging to determine whether your symptoms are due to a thyroid problem or something entirely different.

Generally speaking, the symptoms of thyroid disease can be broken down into two categories: those that occur because there's too much thyroid hormone in the body (also known as hyperthyroidism) and those that are caused by having an inadequate amount of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).

What are some of the most common thyroid diseases?

There are many different thyroid disorders that can affect people of all ages. Thyroid diseases can be either autoimmune or genetic in nature, and they can range from benign to life-threatening.

Even though thyroid diseases can affect anyone, women have five times increased risk of developing these conditions.

Let's take a look at some of the most common thyroid disorders.

Postpartum thyroiditis

Postpartum thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland that can occur in women after giving birth to a child. This condition only affects a small fraction of pregnant women, between three in one hundred and two in twenty-five.

Symptoms of postpartum thyroiditis

Postpartum thyroiditis symptoms are often similar to "baby blues."

Postpartum thyroiditis has two stages. Inflammation initially causes subtle hyperactive thyroid symptoms. This can persist for a few weeks, between one and four months following delivery.

Postpartum thyroiditis causes an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). This means it releases too many thyroid hormones. Some body systems may work too fast. Untreated, it causes an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

The cause of this condition is a mystery to the experts. However, it is comparable to the autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hashimoto's disease occurs when the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy thyroid tissue.

It would be best if you got your thyroid checked at regular intervals. After the onset of symptoms, your thyroid may return to normal functioning between 12 and 18 months later. If this is the case, you might be able to discontinue the treatment. In four out of five women, thyroid function will eventually return to normal.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormone, causing thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid hormone plays an important role in regulating the body's metabolism. Hypothyroidism can cause a number of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, and depression.

There are a variety of causes of hypothyroidism, including autoimmune disease, treatment for hyperthyroidism, and radiation therapy. Symptoms may not appear until the condition is well-established and can include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and constipation.

Hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication. The medications work by replacing the missing hormone. The dose and type of pill will be determined by your doctor based on your individual needs. One of the most common is levothyroxine, the synthetic version of T4. However, more patients prefer Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT), such as Armour Thyroid and VitaliThy.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland produces too much hormone. This can speed up your metabolism and cause a number of symptoms, including weight loss, anxiety, and heart palpitations.

Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with medication or surgery. In some cases, radioactive iodine therapy may be used to destroy part of the thyroid gland.

Goiter

A goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is normally located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroid's job is to make thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body.

There are many different causes of goiters, but the most common cause is an iodine deficiency. Iodine is a trace element that is found in some foods, and it is also added to salt and other food products. Iodine deficiency can lead to an enlarged thyroid gland because without enough iodine, the thyroid cannot make enough hormones.

Another common cause of goiters is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system attacks your own tissues and organs.

Thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules are abnormal growths of thyroid cells that form lumps within the thyroid gland. These nodules are usually benign (noncancerous), but in rare cases, they can be cancerous.

Thyroid nodules are relatively common, affecting up to 25% of the population. Most people with thyroid nodules do not experience any symptoms, and the condition is only discovered when a doctor performs a physical examination or orders a neck ultrasound.

Although most thyroid nodules are benign, it is important to have them checked by a doctor to rule out cancer. Treatment for thyroid nodules typically involves surgery to remove the affected portion of the gland.

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism.

There are four main types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Papillary and follicular thyroid cancers are the most common types, accounting for about 90 percent of all cases. Medullary thyroid cancer is less common but more aggressive. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the rarest and most aggressive type of thyroid cancer.

Most people with early-stage thyroid cancer have no symptoms, and the disease is found incidentally on a routine physical examination or imaging test for another condition.

What are the sinuses?

Your sinuses are the four cavities in your skull that connect to your nose. These include frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid. The frontal sinuses are located in the bones above the eyes. The maxillary sinuses are located on each side of your nose, in the cheekbones. The ethmoid sinuses are located on each side of the bridge of your nose. The sphenoid sinus is located behind the eyes, deeper into your skull, and underneath the ethmoid sinuses.

Together, your sinuses are called paranasal sinuses. They are part of your nose and respiratory system and are connected to your nasal passages through an intricate network of airflow and drainage tubes.

The sinuses produce mucus, which drains into your nose through small channels called Ostia. This mucus traps dust and other particles, filtering out bacteria from the air you breathe, and moistens the air you breathe. It also helps to keep your nose from getting too dry. Aside from mucus, the sinuses are lined with tiny hairs called cilia. These hairs sweep the mucus toward the back of the throat, where it is swallowed.

The function of your sinuses

Together with the nose, snout, and bronchial lining, paranasal sinuses work to protect the lungs from hazardous particles, including dust, pollen, microbicides, and germs. Akin to a doorman at a nightclub, they're fixated on finding ways to protect their lungs from pollution.

In addition to filtering out dust and bacteria from the air you breathe, the sinuses also help protect your face trauma, give your voice resonance, provide an immunological defense, and protect the nose from sudden temperature changes.

What are the most common sinus problems?

Sinuses are essential to our anatomy, but when there's a problem, they can make us feel awful.

If you have a throbbing headache, can't breathe through your nose or your face hurts when you touch it, you may have sinus problems. Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, is one of the most common conditions in the United States. More than 37 million people suffer from sinusitis each year. It occurs when there's an inflammation or swelling on the tissue lining of your sinuses.

Sinusitis might happen when a common cold blocks the lining of your sinuses, causing the mucus to get thick and sticky. As a result, your sinuses may not drain properly, and bacteria build up in the mucus. It may also be caused by an allergy, nasal obstructions (like polyps), bacterial infection, or Graves' disease. Symptoms of sinusitis include sinus headaches, a fever, and a runny nose. The pain is usually worse when you bend over or lie down. The fever may be low-grade. You may also have bad breath and a sore throat.

There are two types of sinusitis: acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis is a short-term condition that lasts for four weeks or less. Chronic sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or longer.

What is the connection between the sinuses and the thyroid?

Every system in the body is affected by thyroid hormones. This is because these hormones are responsible for regulating the body's metabolism. Every facet of your health, from cell growth to elimination patterns, is controlled by your metabolism.

When it comes to the connection between your thyroid and sinuses, it's not very straightforward. However, your thyroid still has a significant impact on your sinuses. Endocrinologists and rhinologists were both aware of the link between thyroid abnormalities and sinus problems. Numerous experts have thoroughly examined and verified the connection between the thyroid and the nasal cavity.

Hypothyroidism is often linked to sinusitis. Why? One possibility is that both conditions share a common trigger, such as an autoimmune disorder. For example, hypothyroidism is caused by a disorder called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which occurs when your body attacks the thyroid gland and may eventually push the thyroid gland to fail. Sinusitis can be caused by rhinitis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the sinuses. This may explain why people with rhinitis often have thyroid disease and vice versa.

Hypothyroidism can also lead to facial and nasal swelling, which causes sinus dysfunction. Finally, the hormone of the thyroid plays a role in regulating the immune system, so when levels are low, it may be more difficult for the body to fight off infection. While more research is needed to confirm the exact relationship between these two conditions, it is clear that there is a connection between the two.

The thyroid gland itself can become enlarged, which can press on nearby structures and cause sinus problems.

So, does having a sinus problem mean you have thyroid disease?

Having sinus problems doesn't always mean you have thyroid disease. Many people who struggle with sinus problems have normal thyroid function. However, two conditions are often related.

Sinus problems can be a symptom of an underlying thyroid condition. Research shows that sinus congestions, nasal stuffiness, and impaired hearing are all common symptoms of hypothyroidism. Glycosaminoglycan (mucin) buildup, the same chemical that contributes to facial puffiness, might be the culprit behind these symptoms. The enzymes that typically break down glycosaminoglycan are insufficient when you have an underactive thyroid.

Therefore, if you have these sinus problems and they don't seem to go away or keep coming back even after treatment, it could be a sign of an underlying thyroid condition. In that case, it might be a good idea to check your thyroid health. While it's not always easy to tell if your sinus problems are due to thyroid dysfunction, it's worth considering if you've been struggling with recurring or chronic sinus trouble.

What should you do if your sinus problems are caused by thyroid disease?

If you suspect that your sinus problems are caused by thyroid disease, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your doctor. After a thorough examination, your doctor may prescribe thyroid hormone replacement medication. This type of medication can help to regulate the levels of thyroid hormones in your body, which can help to relieve symptoms of both sinus problems and thyroid disease.

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy

Two of the most common thyroid medication is levothyroxine and natural desiccated thyroid. Levothyroxine is the most commonly prescribed medication. It's a synthetic form of the inactive thyroid hormone T4.

Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), on the other hand, contains a natural form of the hormones T4 and T3. Many thyroid patients report feeling better on NDT than on levothyroxine. This is because NDT provides a more complete hormonal replacement, so it may work more effectively on most people.

Moreover, many brands of NDT, such as VitaliThy, are gluten-free, lactose-free, beef-free, egg-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. This means that you don't have to worry about allergens. You can buy natural desiccated thyroid online and have them delivered straight to your door.

Lifestyle changes

While medication can be effective in treating thyroid disease, there are also lifestyle changes you can make to help ease your symptoms. For example, avoiding triggers such as cigarette smoke, dust, and pollen can help reduce congestion and inflammation. Drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier can also keep your sinuses hydrated and help prevent further irritation.

The combination of thyroid medication like VitaliThy and lifestyle changes can help manage your symptoms and allow you to enjoy a healthy life.

Wojciech Majda
Wojciech Majda


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