January is National Thyroid Awareness Month
January is National Thyroid Awareness Month
(French Camp, CA)—Health Plan of San Joaquin asks: “Did you know, more than half of the people in the U.S. that suffer from a thyroid disorder are undiagnosed?”
According to the American Thyroid Association:
- 1 in 10 people suffer from a thyroid disorder
- 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime
The thyroid controls important functions such as regulating breathing, heart rate, body weight, muscle strength, cholesterol and body temperature. Thyroid disease refers to any condition that affects how it functions. Two of the most common thyroid diseases are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
HYPERTHYROIDISM
Known as overactive thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. This thyroid disease can increase the body’s metabolism, causing weight loss and an irregular heartbeat.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
Having an under-active thyroid is also known as hypothyroidism. This occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Hypothyroidism’s deficiency of thyroid hormones disrupts things such as heart rate, body temperature, and all aspects of metabolism. Major symptoms include fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, and unexplained weight gain.
THYROID CANCER
Thyroid cancer begins when the cells grow and multiply rapidly. These cells form a tumor and the abnormal cells can spread throughout the body. There are no early symptoms. However, as the cells grow, they may cause a lump in the neck, swollen lymph glands, voice changes, and difficulty swallowing. Most cases of thyroid cancer can be cured with surgical removal.
DIAGNOSING THYROID DISEASES
When diagnosing thyroid diseases, doctors use your medical history, a physical exam, and specialized blood tests. Some of these blood tests examine the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. With these tests, a doctor can tell from your TSH levels if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Thyroid disorders can be treated by medications or, in some cases, surgery. Treatment will depend on the particular disease of the thyroid.
Another reason to schedule an annual visit with your primary provider:
Well visits can help detect issues early for better health outcomes in the future.
Resource: American Thyroid Association, www.Thyroid.org
Health Plan of San Joaquin serves over 400,000 members in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Visit the web site at www.hpsj.com.
Media Contact:
Jill Center
Health Plan of San Joaquin