Over the years I've met many people with thyroid disease. It's probably the most frequent hormone problem I deal with as a family physician. It's also one of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated diseases in America today.
The reasons for this are simple: Thyroid disease can sneak up on you slowly and subtly. And the symptoms it causes are vague, easily confused with other health problems, or not present at all. As a result, more than 13 million Americans with a thyroid condition are not aware of the problem.
By some estimates, thyroid disorders occur about five times more often in women than men. And the incidence increases with age. In a recent study of 25,000 healthy people attending the Colorado State Health Fair, 4% of women ages 18-24 had evidence of thyroid disease. The numbers climbed gradually, reaching a whopping 21% of women over age 75. And these were "healthy" people who were not aware they had any health problems.
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland just below the Adam's apple at the base of your neck. It secretes a hormone called thyroxin that regulates your metabolism—the rate at which every part of your body works. As a result, this hormone can affect your energy level as well as your health from head to toe.
The two most common thyroid disorders are:
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
This condition occurs when your thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroxin hormone, causing your metabolism to slow down.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include:
In addition, hypothyroidism can contribute to:
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
This condition occurs when your thyroid makes too much thyroxin hormone, causing your metabolism to speed up.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include:
Without treatment, thyroid disorders can lead to serious health problems. A high cholesterol level, commonly associated with even mild hypothyroidism, can contribute to heart attacks and hardening of the arteries.
Hyperthyroidism, or too much thyroid hormone, may result in:
These problems can be minimized when you catch a thyroid problem early. A simple blood test diagnoses most common thyroid diseases. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test is safe, accurate, widely available, and relatively inexpensive. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) says TSH testing is as cost-effective as screening tests for high blood pressure, cholesterol and breast cancer. And, in older women, it's even more so.
If you're over age 34—especially if you're a woman—I advise asking your health care provider about thyroid disease. Currently, there is controversy about when and how often to conduct screening. The ATA recommends that all adults receive a TSH test every five years starting at age 35.
You may need to be tested more frequently, says the ATA, if you have symptoms or risk factors for thyroid disease. These include:
Consider getting your thyroid checked. If you do have a thyroid disorder, there are medications to correct the problem.
RESOURCES:
American Thyroid Association
http://www.thyroid.org
The Endocrine Society
http://www.endo-society.org
Thyroid Foundation of America
http://www.tsh.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
Thyroid Foundation of Canada
http://www.thyroid.ca
Last reviewed January 2008 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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