The thyroid is a small gland with a big job, mostly in regulating your metabolism. If it’s not working properly, health problems may arise.
September 22, 2025
Contributed by: Sapna Shah, MD / Endocrinology
Paying attention to your thyroid is a smart move. This small gland plays a big role in your overall health — it helps regulate breathing, mood, weight, digestion and heart rate. According to Sapna Shah, MD, endocrinology program director at MetroHealth, there’s a lot of confusing information out there about how the thyroid works and what can affect it. Understanding the basics can help you make better decisions about your health.
What Can Go Wrong with Your Thyroid?
There are two main types of thyroid problems:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- This means your thyroid isn’t making enough hormones, which slows down your body’s functions.
- Warning Signs: You may feel tired, sad, cold, gain weight or have dry skin and hair.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- This means your thyroid is making too many hormones, which speeds up your body’s functions.
- Warning Signs: You may have trouble sleeping, feel shaky or weak, lose weight, have digestive issues or a fast heartbeat.
If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
How to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy
Dr. Shah shares some simple tips:
✔️ Do:
- Get enough iodine: Your thyroid needs iodine to work. You can get it from eggs, seafood, dairy and iodized salt. Don’t take iodine pills unless your doctor tells you to.
- Eat a balanced diet: Try a Mediterranean-style diet with fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, fish, beans and low-fat dairy.
- Stay active: Exercise helps your metabolism stay steady, which supports healthy hormone levels.
- Get good sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep helps your body manage hormones, including those from your thyroid.
❌ Don’t:
- Smoke: Smoking can raise your risk for thyroid cancer and eye problems.
- Drink too much alcohol: Alcohol can mess with your hormones and make thyroid symptoms worse.
- Follow extreme diets: Very low-calorie diets slow your metabolism and can hurt your thyroid. Your body needs steady nutrition to stay healthy.
Think you might have a thyroid problem?
Start by talking to your primary care provider. They can help evaluate your symptoms and, if needed, refer you to the MetroHealth endocrinology team for specialized care.
Need to see an endocrinologist directly? Call 216-778-2323 to schedule an appointment.
