January is Thyroid Awareness Month, and it marks a good time to learn more about the small gland with a big impact, as well as the symptoms of Thyroid Disorders.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that produces hormones responsible for growth and development in the body.
Thyroid Disorders Impact Everyone
More than 20 million Americans have a thyroid disorder, and 60 percent are unaware they have the condition. It impacts women five to eight times more than men. One in eight women will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime.
The two most common types of thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include cold intolerance, fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, and constipation. On the flip side, hyperthyroidism symptoms include heart palpitations, anxiety, weight loss, muscle weakness, insomnia, and heat intolerance.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are experiencing symptoms of thyroid disorder, I recommend scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor. Together you can talk about your symptoms, and your physician can order a simple blood test to confirm a diagnosis.
If your test confirms an underactive thyroid disorder, your physician will prescribe the appropriate dose of medication, and your symptoms should improve within a few weeks. An overactive thyroid may be more difficult treat. Most treatment courses begin with medication, and if that is not sufficient, the thyroid may need to be surgically removed.
Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer
If you have trouble swallowing, an unusual lump or swelling in the neck, a hoarse voice, or a new/lingering cough, you may have a thyroid nodule. Nodules in the thyroid are very common and caused by a growth in cells that form a lump. When a patient discovers this lump, they often fear a cancer diagnosis – but only about five percent of these lumps are cancerous. In the rare case of thyroid cancer, the good news is that it is easily treatable, and the most common types of thyroid cancer are very slow growing.
If you notice a lump or experience any of the symptoms above, schedule an appointment with your doctor for evaluation.