Every time you stay up late, you are consuming the "lifespan" of the thyroid gland

You may know that staying up late will disrupt the biological clock, hinder the liver's self-repair and detoxification functions, lead to toxin accumulation, and damage liver cells. But you may not know that the harm of staying up late is far more than damaging the liver, it will also consume the "lifespan" of the thyroid gland!

• Does staying up late consume the "lifespan" of the thyroid gland?

What changes are happening to the thyroid gland when you stay up late and sleep late? Experts point out that almost all organs and cells in the human body are interconnected with the central biological clock of the brain, and operate according to a specific rhythm under the regulation of light.

Thyroid hormones and the hormone that regulates them, thyroid-stimulating hormone, show circadian fluctuations, usually reaching a peak at 2-4 a.m., and then gradually decreasing until they drop to a relatively low level during the day.

Maintaining good sleep quality can keep thyroid hormones within the normal range. If you often stay up late or lack sleep, your biological clock will be disrupted, causing the secretion and metabolism of thyroid hormones to lose balance, and even affecting cell proliferation, accelerating DNA damage, and then causing thyroid dysfunction and the formation of nodules.

The harm of staying up late to the thyroid gland is mainly manifested in:

1. Inducing hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism

Staying up late will disrupt the body's biological rhythm and cause endocrine system disorders. As an important organ of the endocrine system, the secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland will also be affected. Staying up late for a long time may cause the secretion of thyroid hormones to exceed the normal range, too much or too little, and then cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

2. Cause thyroiditis

Sleep is an important period for the body to recover and repair. On the contrary, staying up late will reduce the body's immune ability. And weakened immunity will increase the incidence of thyroid diseases, because abnormalities in the immune system may attack the thyroid gland, leading to thyroiditis and other diseases.

3. Interference with endocrine coordination

Staying up late is often accompanied by work pressure, life pressure, etc. These psychological pressures will further impact the balance of the endocrine system. Long-term exposure to high-intensity stress environments makes the thyroid gland more likely to have problems.

• Thyroid health affects multiple systems throughout the body

The thyroid gland is located in the neck, and the thyroid hormones it secretes play a pivotal role in the body's metabolism, growth and development, and nervous system.

Normal thyroid function can ensure that all physiological activities of the body are maintained in a balanced state. Once the thyroid gland has problems, it will induce a series of health risks.

1. Interference with body metabolism

When thyroid function is abnormal, it will have a significant impact on sugar metabolism, fat metabolism, protein metabolism, vitamin metabolism, and water and salt metabolism. Specifically, when the thyroid function is hyperactive, the patient may experience symptoms such as heat intolerance, weight loss, and strong appetite; when the thyroid function is hypoactive, it may manifest as chills and loss of appetite.

2. Hindering growth and development

In childhood, if the secretion of thyroid hormone is insufficient, it is very likely to cause developmental delay and intellectual development limitation, which will lead to cretinism.

3. Disrupting the cardiovascular system

The patient may experience tachycardia and arrhythmia, and in severe cases, may even cause serious consequences such as heart failure.

4. Affecting digestive function

Symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea and liver dysfunction may occur.

5. Impacting the nervous system

The patient may show different states such as mental excitement, constant talking, or mental depression and depression.

• Pay attention to the "help signal" of the thyroid gland

1. Neck lumps

Experts point out that if a lump is touched in the neck, it may be a thyroid nodule. There are differences between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Although most nodules are benign, they should not be taken lightly. If the nodule is large or grows fast, you should go to the hospital for examination in time.

2. Hoarseness

Thyroid disease may compress the recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing hoarseness. If hoarseness persists for a long time and there are no other significant causes, then you should consider whether there is a thyroid problem.

3. Obstructed swallowing

When the thyroid gland is enlarged or has nodules, it may compress the esophagus, causing obstructed swallowing. In this case, you need to see a doctor in time for a more in-depth examination and diagnosis.

4. Weight fluctuations

Thyroid hormones play a key role in metabolism. If the thyroid gland is hyperfunctioning, the body's metabolism will speed up, resulting in weight loss; if the thyroid gland is hypofunctioning, the metabolism will slow down and the weight will increase. If the weight changes significantly in a short period of time, you should consider whether there is a thyroid problem.

5. Mood swings

Abnormal thyroid function can also affect a person's emotional state. Patients with hyperthyroidism may experience emotional manifestations such as anxiety, irritability, and irritability; patients with hypothyroidism may experience depression, indifference, and memory loss. If there are obvious mood swings and other psychological factors are excluded, you should consider whether there is a thyroid problem.

• Protect the thyroid gland and do these 4 things

1. Ensure sleep

Doctors recommend that you should ensure at least 7 hours of sleep a day and maintain a regular work and rest schedule. The blue light emitted by electronic screens such as mobile phones will interfere with the secretion of melatonin in the human body, so you should stop using your mobile phone at least half an hour before going to bed.

You can use some soft and warm lights in the bedroom. Use curtains or eye masks to block the outside light and create a dark and quiet sleeping environment.

2. Reasonable iodine supplementation

Pay attention to a balanced diet, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, etc., and reduce the intake of processed foods and high-calorie, high-fat foods. At the same time, pay attention to controlling the intake of iodine to avoid excessive or insufficient intake.

Doctors say that excessive iodine intake can cause hyperthyroidism, and insufficient iodine intake can cause hypothyroidism. According to the current iodine nutrition status of the Chinese population, most people should consume iodized salt.

Seafoods such as kelp, seaweed, and marine fish contain high levels of iodine and are suitable for people with iodine deficiency; vegetables and fruits contain low levels of iodine and are suitable for people with iodine excess. Of course, the main way to supplement iodine is to add iodized salt.

3. Relieve stress

Doctors say that if stress is too great or lasts too long, it will cause cortisol to remain at a high level for a long time, which will have an adverse effect on thyroid function and induce thyroid disease.

It is recommended to relax yourself by listening to soothing music, reading interesting books, chatting with friends, etc., and you can also improve your mood through moderate exercise.

4. Regular check-ups

Regularly conduct thyroid function tests and neck ultrasound examinations, especially for those high-risk groups with a family history of the disease, those who stay up late for a long time, and those who are under great pressure. Early detection of thyroid problems and timely treatment can prevent the condition from worsening.