Not feeling like yourself? Your thyroid might be to blame

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on our everyday lives from what we can do to how we can do it. You may be working from home, ordering your groceries online or visiting friends and family via Skype or FaceTime. No matter the task, the world is a much different place than it was just a few months ago.

No doubt, life in quarantine is filled with a long list of changes. Have you packed on a few extra pounds? Are you constantly tired or feeling irritable? While there is a good chance the pandemic might be to blame, the answer to these questions for more than 10 million Americans could lie in a simple blood test that checks thyroid function. Thyroid disease affects an estimated 20 million people nationwide, and more than half of them have no idea that something is wrong. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland, located in the front of your neck, that generates hormones. It is also filled with blood vessels as well as nerves that are significant for your quality of voice.

Getting a Thyroid Test at Any Lab Test Now®

If you feel like your body changes are more than just side effects of living in a pandemic, Any Lab Test Now® makes it easy for you to get a thyroid test in a safe and clean environment. We offer the Thyroid Panel test that checks the level of hormones your thyroid is producing. Test results could show if your thyroid is overactive or underactive.

What is an Underactive Thyroid?

When your thyroid is underactive, it is called hypothyroidism. In the United States hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disease and affects around 4.6 percent of the population. It happens when your thyroid gland is producing a lower level of the hormones that are key to keeping up your energy and your body functioning. The lower level of hormones means your body is slowing down, and this is why you might tire easily, feel depressed, gain weight or struggle to think clearly.

 Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Weight gain
  • Brain fog, struggle to think clearly

There is no cure for hypothyroidism, but it is manageable. Your physician can treat you by replacing the hormones your thyroid is not producing with medication. This type of treatment requires constant monitoring through a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test that is available at Any Lab Test Now®. If you are not taking enough medication, your thyroid could remain underactive, while too much medication could kick you into hyperthyroidism.

 What is an Overactive Thyroid?

On the other side of the spectrum, if you suffer from an overactive thyroid it is called hyperthyroidism. About 1.2 percent of the U.S. population has hyperthyroidism. This condition kicks your thyroid into overdrive, so the gland is producing high thyroid hormone levels in your bloodstream. Every function of your body tends to speed up, your heart races, your hands shake and you feel nervous and anxious.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

  • Racing heartbeat
  • Nervousness
  • Tremors
  • Anxiety

Not much is known why someone’s thyroid kicks into high gear, and there is no single treatment for hyperthyroidism. Your physician would consider how to treat you based on your age, the severity of your condition and your medical history.

We’re Here for You

Taking control of your health during the COVID-19 pandemic is easy at Any Lab Test Now®. We offer over 180 locations nationwide providing you with a safe, affordable experience to check your thyroid levels, as well as get access to more than 8,000 other lab tests. Remember, we provide the doctor’s order so that you can monitor your numbers and maintain your health and wellness.

Any Lab Test Now® is a committed partner in helping you manage your healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life. We are here to help you Be At Ease during these trying times.