January is Thyroid Awareness month. The thyroid is a gland found at the base of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It is small and butterfly shaped. Although it is a small gland it is very important. Our thyroid makes hormones called triiodothyronine, also called T3 and thyroxine, also called T4. These two major hormones help regulate energy that is delivered to other cells in our body, thus affecting the function of our major organs such as liver, heart, brain kidneys and even our skin. A healthy thyroid means a healthy body. When the thyroid isn’t working properly it can cause either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is the result of an underactive thyroid. The thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone. This could be due to the thyroid being improperly formed at birth, surgical removal of all or part of the gland or the thyroid just becomes incapable of producing the correct amount of hormone. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an auto-immune disease that attacks the thyroid gland causing hypothyroidism.
Symptoms for hypothyroid include fatigue and weight gain due to a slower metabolism, depression, forgetfulness, even hair loss and dry skin. Unfortunately some of these symptoms such as depression and fatigue may be over looked as symptoms of something serious and just blamed on poor diet, not enough exercise. It is important to share symptoms with your physician so you can be properly tested.
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Hyperthyroidism is exactly the opposite it is when the thyroid goes into overdrive and it prodicing more hormone then the body can use. Grave’s disease is another auto-immune disease, this one causing the thyroid to over produce the hormone. This can also cause what is known as a Goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid causing pain and or swelling in the lower neck. Hyperthyroidism can cause excessive weight loss or increased appetite without notable weight gain. Many patients have trouble with temperature control , being warm most of the time, sweating even when it is cold. Some patients may notice an increase in their energy level, remember metabolism is speeding up. Some patients may have an intolerance to exercise due to fatigue of muscles and pain in joints. Some patients experience heart palpitations or abnormal heart rhythms. You may have the sensation of your heart racing. Some patients notice skin changes like the onset of acne or smoother skin which is due to the rapid cell turnover being caused by increased hormone production. Some patients notice thinning hair or hair loss and nails become brittle. There may also be memory problems, difficulty concentratingor racing thoughts.
Hypothyroid is treated by medication. Levethyroxine being the most common. Your physician will test your T3 and T4 levels and determine what dose is necessary to help supplement your underactive thyroid. Hyperthyroid is treated with antithyroid drugs which help curb the amount of hormone being produced, they basically block the thyroid gland. Depending on the severity of the disease the thyroid may be removed surgically, either completely or partial removal. Beta-blockers may be used to help slow heart rate and reduce other symptos until the disease is under control with another treatment. Beta-blockers do not treat thyroid disease but rather help manage some of the more dangerous symptoms.
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Thyroid disease, whether hypo or hyper, can be treated. It is important to understand the symptoms and know when to ask your physician about being tested. Sometimes it may only take a symptom or two and sometimes a patient has several symptoms. We can attribute many things to causing fatigue, forgetfulness and even heart palpitations so it is important to always be aware of changes and discuss them with your doctor. We cannot underestimate the importance of the thyroid, even if it is just a small gland.
For more information or if you have questions regarding this article or other questions regarding health and wellness please call the Berlin VNA at 860-828-7030.
Information for this article was taken from the following websites:
www.americanthyroidassociation.com
