January is thyroid awareness month and serves as a reminder that it’s important to have your thyroid checked - over 30 million Americans have a thyroid dysfunction but at least half of these cases are undiagnosed and untreated. Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck that is responsible for producing hormones and impacts the cells and tissues of your body. Sometimes your thyroid can produce too much or too little of the thyroid hormone. Once this is diagnosed, treatment is possible and you can live a normal, healthy life.
It’s important for both men and women to have their thyroid checked. However, women are five times more likely to experience thyroid dysfunction. Both men and women can receive a simple blood test if they experience symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism (not enough hormone being produced) are dry skin, cold hands and feet, and unexplained weight gain. On the other side of the spectrum, hyperthyroidism (too much of the hormone) can reveal itself in unexplained weight loss and diarrhea. If you experience these symptoms, it’s a good idea to come in to our office for a blood test.
As soon as thyroid dysfunction is diagnosed, treatment is simple. For hyperthyroidism, anti-thyroid medication can be prescribed to minimize hormone production. Hypothyroidism treatment is taking thyroid hormone replacement medication. When looking for ways to improve your thyroid via your diet, you should make sure that your diet is full of protein, calcium, magnesium, and iodine, as these all help make your thyroid work. Also, all the B vitamins, vitamin A, and vitamin C are important for healthy thyroid function.
If you have a family history of thyroid dysfunction or have experienced some of the symptoms above, it’s important to get your thyroid tested. An appointment can be made for this blood test by calling our office at (423) 472-6548.