Making time to visit your doctor for your annual check might not seem like a high priority, however, it could be the key to discovering and treating dangerous illnesses. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) estimates that 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. With a condition so widespread, you’d think we’d hear about it more, but the harsh reality is, of those 20 million Americans, up to 60 percent are unaware they have thyroid disease. Undiagnosed thyroid problems can put patients at serious risk for developing other complications including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and infertility. The good news is, when diagnosed, most thyroid diseases can be safely managed.
What is Thyroid Disease?
The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped in the middle of the neck area, above the collar bone. This gland controls your body’s metabolism and regulates your energy output. The hormone which your thyroid gland produces affects every part of your body. Thyroid disease is a medical condition where your body produces abnormal levels of thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism VS. Hypothyroidism
There are two main disorders of thyroid disease. Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone, speeding up your metabolism and making your body expend energy too quickly. Signs that you might have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) include:
• Weight loss
• Heat intolerance or sensitivity
• Rapid heart rate
• Tremors or weakness
• Enlarged thyroid gland or a goiter
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone, slowing down your body’s metabolic processes. Signs that you might have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) include:
• Weight gain
• Cold intolerance or sensitivity
• Brittle nails
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
How to Determine if Someone has Thyroid Disease
For those who want to know if their thyroid is producing abnormal levels of thyroid hormone, providers perform a thyroid-stimulating test (TSH). A very low reading of TSH (less than 0.01) would mean a patient has hyperthyroidism. A very high reading of TSH (8.00 and up) would indicate hypothyroidism.
In addition to the TSH test, patient history and a physical exam are also helpful tools in the diagnosis of thyroid disease. Performing these together is cost-effective in diagnosing a thyroid condition. Another reason why regular checkups with your primary care physician are crucial is that this would help in the prevention and early detection of thyroid disease. Your doctor will be able to notice things that you might overlook. They know what an enlarged thyroid looks like and can connect symptoms like involuntary weight loss and fatigue that you experiencing. The condition is also inherited, so familiarity with a patient’s family history is important.
Treatment for Thyroid Disease
Although thyroid disease is often a chronic condition, there are treatments available that can help patients regain a sense of normalcy. Even though treatment for thyroid disease is often a life-long process, with monitoring from either your primary care physician or a specialist, you can live a normal life.
A thyroid disease diagnosis must be made before treatment can begin. Don’t let a potential thyroid condition go undiagnosed. Visit a TPMG primary care provider or speak to an endocrinologist specialist today about how you can protect your thyroid health.
