The Impact of Thyroid Hormone Levels on Consumption Processes

Since the inception of humanity, individuals have had various needs. While these were initially fundamental needs such as shelter, food, and warmth, as society advanced toward modern life, additional needs such as seeking greater variety beyond basic necessities, improved comfort, access to information through the internet, communication with others, entertainment, and sports also emerged. Consumption needs have diversified over time, and the resources allocated for these vary for each person. This diversity is influenced by the individual's metabolic rate, energy requirement, and emotional and psychological state. In the present study, the impact of thyroid gland functions on individuals' metabolic rate, energy needs, and emotional and psychological state was investigated to reveal how these are reflected in their consumption processes. For this purpose, the study comparatively examined individuals aged 18-65 with thyroid dysfunction and those with normal thyroid function. Therefore, it was aimed to reveal the impact of the differences in thyroid hormones and their reflections on the body on consumption preferences, purchasing processes, and spending patterns. The study employed a qualitative method, and a semi-structured interview technique was used. Through snowball sampling, patients who had been tested for TSH, free T3, and free T4 values within the last six months and had no chronic diseases other than thyroid dysfunction were included in the study. Findings were obtained as a result of interviews that were finalized upon attaining data saturation, and explanatory assessments were made regarding the relationship between thyroid function and consumption behaviors. The findings of the study revealed that differences in thyroid hormones significantly affected the consumption behaviors of individuals. It was also determined that changes in thyroid hormones affected consumption behaviors via not only physiological but also psychological effects, and that changes in mood also influenced the consumption processes of individuals.