Thyroid Awareness Month

January is Thyroid Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to increasing overall awareness of thyroid diseases and their prevention, treatment and care.

You may be thinking, “What’s a thyroid?”

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that rests right above your collarbone and below your windpipe. This gland regulates so many important body functions, such as breathing, heart rate, body weight, muscle strength, cholesterol and body temperature.

It’s not uncommon for people to be unaware they suffer from a thyroid disease. In fact, according to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, while 60% don’t know they have a condition. In addition, women are five to eight times more likely to develop thyroid problems than men.

In Mississippi, the number of people who developed thyroid cancer decreased from 2015-2019, with women having significantly higher risks.

Common thyroid diseases

• Hypothyroidism: This means the thyroid is “under-active.” The thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH). The deficiency can disrupt heart rate, body temperature and metabolism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, constipation, dry skin, unexplained weight gain, depression, forgetfulness and cold sensitivity.

• Hyperthyroidism: This means the thyroid is “over-active.” It produces an excess amount of the thyroid hormone. This could lead to weight loss and an irregular heartbeat. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is the autoimmune disease, Graves’ disease. Symptoms include irritability, sleep disturbances, unexplained weight loss, muscle weakness, nervousness and vision/eye problems.

• Thyroid cancer: Cells grow and multiply rapidly and form a tumor on the thyroid. These abnormal cells can spread throughout the body. Symptoms of thyroid cancer are a lump in the throat, swollen lymph glands, voice changes and difficulty swallowing. There are no known risk factors of thyroid cancer other than being a female, exposure to high levels of radiation and certain genetics.

If you feel you suffer from a thyroid disease, be sure to keep track of your symptoms and share them with your Blue Primary Care Provider. To diagnose a thyroid disease, your Provider needs to see a list of symptoms and draw blood. Blood tests are the typical way to diagnose someone with a thyroid disease or thyroid cancer. If diagnosed, your Provider will work with you to help you understand the disease and proceed with a treatment plan.

Please know that thyroid problems are very treatable and usually have a good prognosis.

Sources:

The Surgical Clinic

American Thyroid Association

American Cancer Society