Why Your Thyroid Is Critical For Your Health Under Age 50

Last Updated: April 11, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: April 11, 2025.

Your thyroid is one of the most important organs in the body. But because it is primarily associated with endocrines and not something more concrete, most people don’t think about it a great deal. 

That’s where this post can help. It explores why your thyroid is essential for health under the age of 50 and why it matters. This way, you have more reason to focus on the health of your thyroid, not just the superstar organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and skin. 

Controls Your Metabolism

One reason the thyroid is essential is that it controls your metabolism. It’s responsible for the rate at which you burn calories, constantly sending your body signals to be active or passive. 

If your thyroid is too active, it can speed up your metabolism and make you feel more active compared to the average person. 

Meanwhile, if your thyroid is inactive, you’ll feel sluggish and lethargic. You won’t want to do anything, which can take its toll on your life. You won’t even want to get out of bed sometimes if the effect is really bad. 

You’ll want to test whether your levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine are in the right region. They can get out of whack during your 20s and 30s if you don’t monitor them carefully.

Impacts Your Mental Health

If there is a problem with your thyroid, it can also impact your mental health and mood, often feeling like you’re down or drowsy for no reason. Many people with hypothyroidism experience brain fog, memory issues, and even depression. You can even go through bouts of anxiety and depression if you don’t treat it. 

Regulates Fertility 

For women under 50, the thyroid is also critical for fertility and plays a role in when menstruation occurs. If you have irregular periods or extreme cramping, the problem could relate to your thyroid function, something you’ll want to check out if you suspect it. 

ENTs are the specialist medical professionals responsible for the thyroid. Read more here about what they can do for you. 

Supports Skin And Hair Health

The thyroid also plays a role in supporting skin and hair health. As such, if you have problems with your thyroid, they can often show up in how you look. 

Hypothyroidism’s main sign is dry skin and brittle nails. If the organ isn’t producing enough of its hormone, it can lead to these unwanted problems. It may also lead to thinning of the eyebrows in some people, a telltale sign. 

The opposite, hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroxine hormone, can cause other problems, like thinning hair or sweaty skin. Again, you’ll want to look out for these signs in your 30s or 40s. 

Affects Digestion
Finally, your thyroid is critical for your health under fifty because of how it affects your digestion. If you have an issue, it can slow it down, leading to bloating and constipation. It can also speed it up, leading to loose stools and diarrheas. Ideally, it should be producing hormones in the right amount to prevent nutrient absorption issues.