LAFYAYETTE, La. ( KLFY ) — Symptoms like anxiety, low mood and infertility are common among several illnesses, however, those symptoms can indicate thyroid issues.

Thyroid disease and disorders can be harmless or if not treated it can develop into life-threatening cancer. The thyroid is a gland located in the base of the neck. It’s a part of the endocrine system of the body and main function is to meet your bodies energy demands.

Margaret Hebert, family and medicine physician with Lourdes physician group says the thyroid is vital to your existence.

“It affects your heart rate, breathing, digestion, your mental health, fertility, skin maintenance, bone maintenance. If someone has thyroid issues, it’s important to take care of those issues,” said Hebert.

The thyroid will take energy from food sources and convert it into a form that is useable for yourselves. Thyroid issues are categorized by low functioning and over functioning.

“So for like a low functioning thyroid or hypothyroidism, things are going to be a little bit more slowed. So you might feel some excess fatigue, some mental fogginess, constipation issues, maybe some brittle changes to your nails, thinning of the hair, some weight gain, possibly as well, too,” Hebert explained. “And then and then for the hypothyroidism. So it’s going to kind of be the opposite. So you might get these waves of energy, maybe feeling a little anxious. Heart’s beating a little bit fast, loose stools, maybe some weight loss.”

Hebert says thyroid issues are not preventable if you have an autoimmune illness or any kind of virus and inflammation of the thyroid. However, it can be cured through medication, surgery and a healthier lifestyle.

“I always tell patients to, you know, besides medications that may be necessary, reducing your inflammation is going to be key. So eating more whole foods, less processed foods, and then of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with exercise, getting outside, good mental health and things like that.

All concerning symptoms should be talked over with your doctor immediately.

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