Frequently Asked Questions in Thyroid Diseases

Do Thyroid Disorders Make You Gain Weight?

First of all, it is important to understand that obesity is one of the most serious health problems in the world and the cause of very little of it is known. In other words, it is not known what the cause is in many people with excess weight. Under-exercise of the thyroid gland causes obesity, but this is not a common cause of obesity. However, anyone with obesity problems should have thyroid hormones checked in the blood before proceeding to other further tests.

Does Goiter Make You Lose Weight?

Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland. If the gland does not work slowly, the presence of goiter alone does not cause weight gain. It should be noted that very few of the causes of obesity are associated with the thyroid gland.

Why are Goiters More Common in the Black Sea Region?

This is due to the high number of people living in high mountainous regions in the Black Sea region. In high mountainous regions, the amount of iodine in the soil and water is small. Therefore, these people cannot get enough iodine naturally (i.e., with food and water). When the thyroid gland does not receive enough iodine to produce hormones, the tissue tries to solve the problem by enlarging itself, and as a result, the thyroid gland grows, that is, goiter appears.

Do Thyroid Drugs (Pills) Make You Gain Weight?

Thyroid drugs do not cause weight gain but rather prevent unnecessary weight gain by regulating metabolism. Therefore, no patient should stop taking the thyroid drugs recommended by their physician for fear of gaining weight.

Do Goiter-Causing Foods Really Exist?

Yes, there is. These products are defined in medicine as "guatrogen foods" or "iodine-loving foods." When these foods are consumed, all the iodine in the body is absorbed into its own body. However, the thyroid gland needs plenty of iodine to produce hormones. When there is no iodine left in the body, the thyroid gland produces more cells, which causes the gland to grow. The leading role in these foods belongs to kale. Because kale is the food that loves iodine the most. In addition, foods such as white cabbage, radish, and broccoli can also cause goiter when consumed too much.

What is Thyroid Inflammation?

The thyroid gland, like every organ, has inflammation. But the peculiarity of thyroid gland inflammation is that it is an inflammation that the body produces on its own without any germs (bacteria, viruses, or fungi). Therefore, antibiotics are not used to solve this problem and do not go away quickly, it takes a long time to recover. In this process, the functions of thyroid cells may be impaired, and this condition is called thyroiditis. Initially, thyroid hormones are reduced in the blood in 5% of patients. Therefore, such patients require close follow-up.

Are Thyroid Diseases Genetic?

Thyroid diseases have the potential to be genetic. Many thyroid patients have a family history of iodine deficiency, albeit of different types. However, it should not be forgotten that the disease can also occur in people who do not have thyroid disease in any individual in their family. In other words, the absence of disease in the family does not reduce the risk but does not eliminate it.

Why Do Thyroid Disorders Occur More Often in Women?

Both benign and malignant (cancer) thyroid diseases occur three times more frequently in women than in men. Unfortunately, the exact cause remains unknown. Female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) are believed to play a role here.

How Does Salt Affect Thyroid Disorders?

The thyroid gland needs iodine atoms to produce hormones. Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland. In cases where the natural intake of iodine is lacking, salt is the most suitable food to replace it. For this reason, it is recommended that a certain level of iodine is added to salts by the World Health Organization (WHO). This recommendation has also been followed in Türkiye. Therefore, in order to have a healthy thyroid gland, it is very important to consume salts with the phrase "iodized" in the salt packages on the market shelves. It should be remembered that iodine will evaporate if these packages are exposed to the sun. It should also be kept in mind that people with overworked thyroid glands (people with hyperthyroidism) should use iodine-free salt.

Does Every Thyroid Disease Affect the Eyes?

Apart from Graves' Disease, no thyroid disease hits the eyes and does not cause disease in the eyes. This is unique to Graves. However, it should be well known that any enlargement of the eyes does not mean Graves' disease. Considering that it may be caused by different reasons, the main factor that causes the problem should be investigated.