Travelling is a great privilege. However, everyone who’s up for adventure must sometimes contend with challenges.
Some of these difficulties can be unique to the individual, as well. Such is true regarding health concerns, as travellers take several measures to keep themselves well on the road. Thyroid complications can be a cause of anxiety at these times. Regular treatment can be required, so it’s understandable to assume that travel may disrupt the required care.
Unfortunately, some studies have shown that an underactive thyroid can lead to things like dementia later in life. So, being responsive to care requirements and vigilant in nurturing your well-being is important. Nevertheless, you can still travel in and around London and beyond, so long as you’re mindful.
What can be done in these situations? The pointers below might help!
Understanding How Thyroid Function Problems Manifest
As you’re probably aware, there are different types of problems one can experience when it comes to thyroid function. Reminding yourself of the particulars of your circumstance can help you better comprehend what you can and can’t do.
For example, one can have an overactive thyroid and an underactive thyroid. The differences are:
- Overactive thyroid – Often referred to as hyperthyroidism. Produces an excess of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Symptoms include anxiety, sudden weight loss, increased heat sensitivity, faster heart rates, and increased appetites. Things like Graves’ disease can also cause it. Radiotherapy treatment can be so effective that it can cure the condition.
- Underactive thyroid – Often referred to as hypothyroidism. The opposite problem occurs here, in that not enough hormones are produced. Weight gain can be induced due to a slower metabolism, and you can also feel tired. There’s no cure, but treatments are out there.
It’s also possible to have an overactive thyroid at one stage and an underactive thyroid at another. Obviously, your medical professional should have helped you understand your situation already, but it’s also useful to remember these things and recall symptoms you may experience.
Source Expert Support
Travellers are always on the move and may not always have time to stick around an area for more than a few days. Therefore, it can make getting treatment for thyroid problems feel slightly dicey, especially as blood test results typically take a few days – even by NHS standards!
It’s not the case with every healthcare professional, though. The results from private blood testing, which can test thyroid function, can be turned around in 24 hours with Bioma, or sometimes even on the same working day. A thyroid test and testosterone test can be similarly completed quickly, too, thanks to this organisation’s state-of-the-art laboratory that’s efficient and rapid with all it’s doing. They’re based in London, so if you’re heading further away, look for a similar service at your destination.
Thyroid problems can need consistent testing and support, so if your travel is long-term, don’t wait until you’re home if there’s a need for these check-ups. It’s never an inconvenience to anybody, and staying on top of your well-being is always a good way to live your life. Fortunately, there are now flexible and efficient services out there, ever-ready to help!
Know How Your Symptoms Can be Affected
Some symptoms of thyroid problems have triggers. It’s worth learning or reminding yourself what they are for you so you can take greater care in your adventures.
There are people with thyroid problems who are extra sensitive to temperature. An overactive thyroid, in particular, can create a stronger intolerance to the cold. Consequently, visiting an area with a warmer climate is a good idea. At the very least, one should avoid partaking in any outdoor activities during chillier seasons or times of the day.
Good night’s sleep is important for great health across the board. However, if those with an underactive thyroid experience fatigue regularly, sleep is more significant. Without it, these problems can be exacerbated. So, whatever you’re doing during your travels, ensuring that it doesn’t interfere with good rest should be imperative if an underactive thyroid is what you experience.
Try to apply that perspective to other thyroid-related symptoms if you have them. After all, many people can cheat with their lifestyle choices when travelling. They might be more likely to engage in one behaviour and happenstances. These lapses of judgement can be consequential if you have thyroid problems, so it’s better not to risk your well-being unnecessarily.
Pre-Plan Dietary Requirements
No diet can cure thyroid problems. However, what you consume can mitigate symptoms in some circumstances.
It’s also recommended that thyroid patients go for a lot of Vitamin D; oily fish, mushrooms, eggs, milk, etc. Of course, good food can often make you feel better and ease things like constipation, anxiety, and other thyroid-related symptoms.
You might understandably think that not much new information is being gleaned here. That said, it’s amazing how quickly one can estimate the benefits of healthy eating, especially with health concerns that feel more serious and prolonged. Take care of yourself. In some situations, you may have more control over your hormones than you think.
Some of your diet planning might be a bit more complicated, depending on where you’re travelling to. You may need to research restaurants overseas, learn about the cuisine of other cultures that feature the food you’re looking for, and become proficient enough in another language to order it. Still, it should be nothing that some foresight can’t prepare you for.
Carry Extra Medication With You
A backup plan is always great! The mindset can also be applied when you’re travelling with thyroid-related matters on your mind.
It’s not often things go wrong during travel, but they can do. Medication can get lost, or you can be forced to endure things like delays when bad weather strikes. The journey you’re taking could even get literally rerouted. Whatever the situation, having an extra supply of medication on standby will ensure you always have a backup.
A lot of this is about peace of mind, too. Even if you’ll be physically fine after smaller travel disruptions and don’t need extra medication, knowing it’s nearby can be a great weight off your shoulders. It ensures that no matter the situation, you’ll always have some degree of control over your well-being!
Consider Confiding in Your Travel Companions
If you’re travelling with friends and family, it might be a good idea to talk about your thyroid problems and what they could mean for your shared trip. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and if you’re all mature about things, you likely won’t regret being forthcoming.
It could also be a matter of courtesy, depending on the circumstances. While you shouldn’t feel any pressure to share any private medical concerns, anything that might affect the overall outcome of your trip should perhaps be disclosed in some contexts. After all, if delays happen or emergencies arise, it’s better for those around you to have some idea of how to manage these situations.
Thyroid problems can significantly impact your mental well-being as well. Fortunately, there’s a lot of guidance around navigating those sensitive discussions as well. It’s never easy, but the more you talk, the more the people around you are better positioned to provide support. Some people travel to get away from their problems, but that can’t happen with thyroid-related matters. So, talking it out if and when you need to is the next best thing.
