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.