The thyroid gland in our body is essential for many bodily functions. Located just above the
collarbones, this gland produces a hormone called thyroxine. When there’s insufficient or
overabundant production of thyroxine, you develop thyroid diseases.
If you’re experiencing symptoms and looking for a simple way to take a thyroid test at
home, read on and find out everything you need to know about it!
WHAT IS THE THYROID? WHAT IS ITS SIGNIFICANCE?
The thyroid is a gland just above your collarbones, it’s a butterfly-shaped gland that
produces a hormone called thyroxine. The thyroid gland and thyroxine hormones are vital
for many important body functions. They are also responsible for regulating blood calcium
levels and the lack of thyroxine hormones in the body can cause bone degradation and
muscle weakness. Any obstruction in the production of thyroxine hormones in the thyroid
gland can cause thyroid diseases and disorders.
These diseases can usually be diagnosed at early stages as they have visible symptoms and
can be confirmed with a simple thyroid check at home, but it’s important to get a medical
diagnosis from a doctor or physician. Thyroid diseases can be caused by many different
factors, most common of all is overabundant or insufficient intake of iodine, a mineral that
is vital for thyroxine production.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF THYROID DISEASES?
Thyroid diseases are caused by any factor that comes in the way of the healthy production
of thyroxine hormones in the thyroid gland. It is usually caused because there’s
overabundant or insufficient levels of thyroxine hormones in the body. When the body
produces more than enough thyroxine hormones, the condition is called hyperthyroidism.
When the body produces less than the needed amount of thyroxine, the condition is called
hypothyroidism. Here are the causes of thyroid diseases like hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism:
1. Any underlying ailments that obstruct healthy thyroxine production
2. Any auto-immune disorders that affect thyroxine production
3. Insufficient intake of iodine in your diet
4. Overabundant intake of iodine in your diet
5. Any form of swelling in the thyroid gland.

WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS OF THYROID DISEASES?
To learn how to check thyroid at home, you need to know the indications of thyroid
diseases. Since the thyroid affects the body’s function severely, its indications are fairly
visible within a few days of contraction of the disease. Here are the indications that you may
need a thyroid test at home:
1. Unprovoked sudden weight loss or weight gain
2. Unusual heartbeats
3. Irregular menstruation cycles
4. Uneasiness and weakness
5. Increased irritation and sensitivity to cold
HOW CAN YOU DO AN ACCURATE THYROID TEST AT HOME?
Now you know the indications and causes of thyroid diseases, it is easy to detect thyroid
diseases. To be safe, you can take a simple thyroid test and confirm your suspicions. Here is
how to test thyroid at home:
1. You need a mirror and a glass of water.
2. Angle your mirror towards your neck, enough so you can see the thyroid area (just
above your collarbones)
3. Gulp water and swallow it while looking closely at your thyroid gland.
4. You may need to repeat this procedure for accurate results, and if you see any bulge
or swelling in your thyroid gland, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN YOU TAKE A THYROID TEST AT HOME
Here are some important things that you need to keep in mind before, while, and after
taking your thyroid test at home:
1. Don’t confuse yourself between your thyroid gland and your adam’s apple. The
thyroid gland is below your adam’s apple and just above your collarbones and isn’t
usually swollen or bulging so any unusual appearance requires medical counsel.
2. You need to understand that a thyroid test at home may help you confirm your
indications, but you can not take medications or seek treatment without a proper
medical diagnosis from a physician or a doctor.
3. Taking medications or natural remedies without a proper medical diagnosis might
put you at more risk and cause irreversible harm.

4. It is important to visit a doctor as soon as you notice any bulging or swelling during
your home thyroid test.
5. Only a doctor can give you proper information on the kind of thyroid disease you
have and the treatment required by your condition, medical history, age, and
gender.
6. It might be exhausting to visit doctors, and you may think “I already know I have
thyroid, why do I need to visit a doctor when I can take natural remedies to treat it”.
As tempting as this thought maybe, natural remedies taken without medical consult
can cause more harm and than gain.
7. Follow all the instructions, diet plans and treatment plans your physician or doctor
provides strictly. Your diet and body function can impact your recovery and if there is
even a slight irregularity, you should seek medical help immediately.
CONCLUSION
Thyroid diseases are caused by any obstruction in the healthy generation and secretion of
thyroxine hormone in the thyroid gland. If you experience symptoms of thyroid diseases,
you can take a simple thyroid test at home to see if you have swelling or bulge in your
thyroid gland. If there is, you need to seek immediate medical help and a proper diagnosis.