Your Thyroid Matters. What it Does and How to Keep it Healthy.

Paying attention to your thyroid is a smart move. This small gland plays a big role in your overall health — it helps regulate breathing, mood, weight, digestion and heart rate. According to Sapna Shah, MD, endocrinology program director at MetroHealth, there’s a lot of confusing information out there about how the thyroid works and what can affect it. Understanding the basics can help you make better decisions about your health.

What Can Go Wrong with Your Thyroid?

There are two main types of thyroid problems:

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  • This means your thyroid isn’t making enough hormones, which slows down your body’s functions.
  • Warning Signs: You may feel tired, sad, cold, gain weight or have dry skin and hair.
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  • This means your thyroid is making too many hormones, which speeds up your body’s functions.
  • Warning Signs: You may have trouble sleeping, feel shaky or weak, lose weight, have digestive issues or a fast heartbeat.

If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor.

How to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy

Dr. Shah shares some simple tips:

✔️ Do:

• Get enough iodine: Your thyroid needs iodine to work. You can get it from eggs, seafood, dairy and iodized salt. Don’t take iodine pills unless your doctor tells you to.
• Eat a balanced diet: Try a Mediterranean-style diet with fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, fish, beans and low-fat dairy.
• Stay active: Exercise helps your metabolism stay steady, which supports healthy hormone levels.
• Get good sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep helps your body manage hormones, including those from your thyroid.

❌ Don’t:

• Smoke: Smoking can raise your risk for thyroid cancer and eye problems.
• Drink too much alcohol: Alcohol can mess with your hormones and make thyroid symptoms worse.
• Follow extreme diets: Very low-calorie diets slow your metabolism and can hurt your thyroid. Your body needs steady nutrition to stay healthy.

Your Questions Answered

Q. What does the thyroid do?

A. The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes hormones. These hormones help control how your body uses energy, your heart rate, body temperature, and more. Even though it is small, it plays a big role in keeping your body working properly.

Q. What are signs of a thyroid problem?

A. Some common signs include feeling very tired, gaining or losing weight without trying, feeling unusually hot or cold, changes in mood, and changes in your hair or skin. If these symptoms do not go away, talk with your healthcare provider.

Q. How can I keep my thyroid healthy?

A. Regular checkups, eating a balanced diet, staying active, and managing stress can help support thyroid health. If thyroid problems run in your family or you have symptoms, ask your provider whether thyroid testing is right for you.