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Even though the thyroid is just a small gland in the neck, located below the Adam's Apple, it has some big responsibilities in your body, including making a hormone that regulates the body's metabolism and organ functions.
And with those big responsibilities come even larger consequences if the thyroid isn't functioning correctly -- which is why endocrinologists at the University of Michigan Health System recommend that men and women ask their health care provider to check their thyroid as part of their routine health care.
Thyroid disease is actually very common in the United States, affecting nearly 10 percent of women and about 5 percent of men.
Although thyroid disease can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test, it is often missed because the many symptoms of thyroid disease can mimic other conditions, says Robert Lash, M.D., an endocrinologist and metabolism expert in the U-M Department of Internal Medicine.
"The thyroid's function can be compared to a thermostat controlling the delicate balance in our bodies," says Lash. "When there's too much thyroid activity, people may feel anxious and have difficulty sleeping. In comparison, when there's too little thyroid, they might feel sluggish, depressed and they may gain weight, among a variety of other symptoms."
The most common form of thyroid disease is hypothyroidism, when not enough thyroid hormone is being produced. This disorder may appear gradually, making it easy for patients and physicians to overlook.
Fortunately, treatment for hypothyroidism is extremely successful, says Lash. After a month or two of treatment, patients generally begin to feel like they had before the hypothyroidism.
For Kimberly Munn, her hypothyroidism symptoms decreased significantly after she began taking thyroid medications. But before starting treatment, her hypothyroidism was making her feel lethargic, moody and slightly depressed, plus she was gaining weight.
"One day I could be very hot, and the next day I would be cold," she explains. "One day I could be very happy and the next day I could be very depressed and not even be motivated to do tasks around the house or to even play with my daughter."
But regulating thyroid levels can take some time. Munn tried several different thyroid medication levels before she and her physicians found a good match.
However, after her entire experience with hypothyroidism and subsequent treatment, Munn now looks for ways to manage the health of her entire body. In addition to taking her medication, she now exercises and eats a well-balanced diet.
Women, especially those over the age of 40, who also have a family member with thyroid disease are at the greatest risk for developing hypothyroidism. Also at risk are women who have recently given birth.
In certain patients, both male and female, endocrinologists have also found that there is a relationship between hypothyroidism and cholesterol. People who have low levels of thyroid hormone in their body frequently have high levels of cholesterol. When the thyroid levels are corrected, the cholesterol levels may go down.
On the other end of the thyroid disease spectrum, people diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, an overly active and large thyroid gland, also have several successful treatment options, including medication, radiation and surgery.
Hyperthyroidism creates an excess of thyroid hormone, which speeds up the metabolism, causing both mental and physical changes. Symptoms include nervousness, irritability and muscular weakness.
Lash suggests that people call their primary care physician to be tested if they think they may have a thyroid disorder. The test is easy to take, inexpensive and the results are easy to interpret.
Facts about thyroid disease:
-Thyroid disease is actually very common in the United States, affecting up to 10 percent of women and about 5 percent of men. -U-M endocrinologists recommend that people have their thyroid levels checked as part of their routine health care.-The most common form of thyroid disease is hypothyroidism, where too little thyroid hormone is produced. With hypothyroidism, people may feel sluggish, depressed and they may gain weight.-Hyperthyroidism creates an excess of thyroid hormone, which speeds up the metabolism, causing both mental and physical changes.
For more information, visit the following Web sites:
U-M Health Topics A to Z: Hyperthyroidismhttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_hyper_crs.htm
U-M Health Topics A to Z: Hypothyroidismhttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_hypothy_crs.htm
The American Thyroid Associationhttp://www.thyroid.org
4 Women.gov: Thyroid Disordershttp://www.4women.gov/faq/thyroid_disease.htm
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