According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20 million Americans are affected by a thyroid disease or disorder.
You’ve probably met or heard of someone with a thyroid issue. That’s because they’re fairly common. According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20 million Americans are affected by a thyroid disease or disorder. And while thyroid issues can affect everyone, they seem to affect women more. In fact, one out of every eight women will develop a thyroid disorder at some point in their lives. That’s why it’s so important to better understand the thyroid and the many parts of the body it affects and controls.
What is the thyroid and what is its function?
The thyroid is a hormone gland that regulates metabolism, growth, and development in the human body. It aids in the regulation of many body functions by continuously releasing a consistent amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. When the body requires more energy in certain situations, such as when it’s growing, cold, or pregnant, the thyroid gland produces more hormones.
What are the different types of thyroid disease and what are the symptoms?
There are a number of different types of thyroid disease, including:
Hyperthyroidism: This occurs when the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. This condition is also known as overactive thyroid. Hyperthyroidism causes the body's metabolism to accelerate. Symptoms can include:
- Nervousness/irritability
- Weight loss
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- Heat intolerance or increased perspiration
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep disturbances (such as insomnia)
- Muscle weakness
- Trembling hands
- More frequent bowel movements
- Shorter and scantier menstrual flow
Hypothyroidism: This occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones (also called underactive thyroid). In its early stages, hypothyroidism may not manifest any symptoms. But as the disease develops, symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Low body temperature
- Weight gain
- Dry or itchy skin
- Thin, dry hair or hair loss
- Puffy face, hands, and feet
- Decreased taste and smell
- Slow heart rate
- Constipation
- Poor memory
- Trouble with concentration
- Hoarseness or husky voice
- Irregular or heavy menstruation
- Muscle aches
- Infertility
- High cholesterol
Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer develops when cells rapidly grow and multiply. These abnormal cells can spread throughout the body and form a tumor. While there are no early warning signs, as the cells multiply they may cause a lump in the neck, swollen lymph glands, changes in voice, and difficulty swallowing. Thyroid cancer is typically curable with surgery to remove most or all of the thyroid.
Diagnosis and treatment-
The good news is thyroid diseases are all treatable. Doctors use your medical history, a physical exam, and specialized blood tests to diagnose thyroid diseases. Some of these blood tests look at the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your system, which can indicate if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Thyroid disorders can be treated medically or surgically in some cases. The type of treatment you’d receive would be determined by the type of thyroid disease.
Prevention-
While there is no way to guarantee that you won’t develop thyroid disease, you can make choices that will reduce your risk. One of the best ways is to stop tobacco consumption, especially smoking. You can also check your thyroid regularly, get regular health checkups (be sure to inquire about your thyroid and advocate for yourself), and follow a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and plenty of exercise.
As common as they may be, awareness around thyroid disorders remains lacking. That’s why increasing understanding and knowing and recognizing the symptoms are so critical. So be mindful of symptoms, see your primary care provider regularly, talk to them about testing and treatment, and talk to other women about their experiences. Because conditions this common shouldn’t also be unfamiliar.
So be mindful of symptoms, see your primary care provider regularly, talk to them about testing and treatment, and talk to other women about their experiences.