Changes in the weather and adjusting medication for patients with thyroid conditions

The thyroid gland is only a small part of the endocrine system, but its importance for the proper functioning of the body is immense. It controls the way every cell in the body works, because the thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism – it secretes hormones that turn nutrients into energy.

The main conditions of the thyroid gland

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Structural changes: nodules or cysts that can only be seen on ultrasound

Disorders of the thyroid gland are characterised by disturbances in hormone secretion, as follows:

• the thyroid gland does not secrete enough hormones (hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid), which slows down all of the body's functions, producing symptoms such as tiredness, low mood, constipation, dry skin and weight gain;
• the thyroid gland secretes too many hormones (hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid), caused by a pre-existing thyroid condition, certain medicines or excessive doses of iodine. In people with hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland shows variations in size on ultrasound, and the symptoms are tiredness, insomnia, heat intolerance, mood changes, increased appetite and weight loss;
• thyroid nodules are more common than hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, are most frequently seen in the 20-40 age group, and the main symptoms are a feeling of "shortness of breath", a feeling of a "lump in the throat" and difficulty swallowing.

Thyroid function – affected by the changing seasons

The way the thyroid gland works depends on several factors: exposure to natural light, the level of physical activity and the change of seasons. The cold season affects the thyroid gland by reducing the secretion of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which leads to a slowing of the metabolism. Together with a greater urge to eat, less exercise and reduced exposure to sunlight during the winter, this increases the amount of LDL cholesterol (also known as "bad" cholesterol) and of body fat.

Hypothyroidism and the cold season

In hypothyroidism, medication is prescribed to replace the amount of thyroid hormones the body needs in order to function. Patients with hypothyroidism may feel the symptoms of the condition more strongly as the cold season approaches, because the thyroid gland has to work harder to keep the body functioning at low temperatures, being responsible for metabolism and temperature regulation.

For the well-being of the body and to keep hypothyroidism under control during the cold season, specialists offer a few tips to follow:

• Check your thyroid hormone levels – if you feel that the symptoms of hypothyroidism are getting worse in the cold season, have your thyroid hormone levels checked, as an increase in your medication dose may be needed to give the body the right amount of hormones;
• Monitor the effectiveness of your medication together with your doctor – another reason why the dose of your medication may need to be adjusted is the body's tolerance to the usual dose or to a particular medicine;
• Spend time in the sunlight – exposure to sunlight for at least 20-30 minutes stimulates the production of vitamin D, which is vital for the functioning of the immune system and the thyroid gland, and helps reduce the effects of tiredness and depression, which are prevalent in the cold season;
• Keep moving – although the shorter days make exercise quite difficult, even the lightest physical activity (for example, regular walking) has beneficial effects on mood, stress levels and maintaining a healthy weight;
• Avoid excessive sugar consumption – although you may be inclined to eat more sweets in the cold season, it is advisable to limit your sugar intake, as many people with thyroid conditions are affected by processed sugar, which leads to insulin resistance.

If you are experiencing the symptoms described above, the Artro Sport doctors are always ready to help you!