The Butterfly Effect: Thyroid & Hypothyroidism

You’ve probably heard of the saying “butterflies in your stomach,” a phrase that describes the feeling of nervousness we sometimes feel. But have you heard of the butterfly found in your throat?

No, it’s not an actual butterfly flapping its wings. Instead, it’s a butterfly-shaped gland called the thyroid. The thyroid helps regulate our body’s metabolism, temperature, breathing, appetite, digestion and much more. It plays an essential role in our body’s overall well being.

The thyroid also produces two main hormones that are essential for the processes stated above: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

When the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, it creates a condition called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is usually caused by either iodine deficiency or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland.

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: fatigue, weight gain, slow heart rate, constipation, and more.