What You Need to Know About Your Thyroid Health (Thyroid Disease Awareness Month)

Thyroid Disease Awareness Month is an excellent time to focus on how important your thyroid health is to living a healthy life. Above & Beyond believes that knowledge is one of the most important resources to living a happier, healthier life.

Above & Beyond offers some of the best in home health care services for anyone who is battling thyroid problems.

Thyroid Health Facts

1. Gland – Your thyroid is a gland, located in the neck/throat area.
2. Hormone – The thyroid’s job is to create a hormone that is carried through the blood to every tissue in the body. This hormone is called TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and is imperative to every person from birth to senior years.
3. Purpose – The purpose of the thyroid hormone is to assist in the regulating the body’s temperature, using energy properly (metabolism), and keep the body’s organs operating like they should. They thyroid affects every tissue, cell, and organ of the body.

Thyroid Statistics

These statistics from the American Thyroid Association may surprise you. Thyroid disease is more common than you may think.

• An estimated 20 Million Americans will have thyroid problems in their lifetime
• 60% of those who have a thyroid issue don’t realize they have it
• Thyroid disease symptoms can be very subtle; making it difficult to recognize a problem
• Blood tests can determine if your thyroid is working properly and creating the right amount of TSH levels
• There are a number of tests available, other than blood tests, to help determine various thyroid diseases
• An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in the endocrine system; including thyroid health
• This article addresses if you need to see an endocrinologist for your thyroid disease
• Thyroid Cancer is the most common endocrine cancer. Thyroid cancer information and statistics are available here.

Thyroid Disease, Symptoms, & Information

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid that doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone for your body.

Symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Weight Gain
• Dry Skin/Hair
• Constipation
• Depression
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Feeling cold or sensitivity to colder temperatures
• Decreased Heart Rate

and other symptoms according to WebMd.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid is overactive and produces too much of the thyroid hormone.

Symptoms:

• Anxiety/Fear
• Nervousness
• Increased Heart Rate
• Feeling hot, sweating or sensitivity to warmer temperatures
• Weight Loss
• Digestive Issues (loose bowels, overactive bowel movements)
• Itchiness

with more symptoms per UCSF Medical Center.

Graves’ Disease

Graves’ Disease is a form of hyperthyroidism.  Those with Graves’ disease may have other symptoms that are common to the disease.

• Goiter
• Eye Problems known as Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
• Thickened Nails
• PTM – Thick red lumpy skin that often appears on the shins (Graves’ Dermopathy)

and other symptoms according to this ePublication.

Let Us Help

The treatment and prognosis of thyroid disease is generally good. However, it can take a long period of time to get your thyroid hormone levels where they need to be. During this time you can suffer from fatigue and other symptoms.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for help if you or someone you love is dealing with thyroid issues. Whether you need aftercare from surgery, in home nursing skills (wound care nursing) or non-medical caregiving (homemaker services) we can help.

Above and Beyond offers a variety of services that can help you keep your life in order while you concentrate on your thyroid health.

Photo by Alex Harvey