Health & Wellness Butterfly Effect: Understanding Thyroid Disease by SOFHA Monday, Jan 20, 2025 January is Thyroid Awareness Month, which means it’s time to shine a spotlight on the small but mighty gland whose proper function is so vital to our overall health. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of the neck. Despite its unassuming size, the thyroid is a sort of metabolic master switch that influences multiple aspects of your body, from weight, digestion, and energy levels to heart rate, mood, body temperature, and more. How does it do this? By producing hormones that touch nearly every cell in the body. What Is Thyroid Disease? When either too much or not enough of these hormones is present in the body, the processes that rely on them can either slow down or speed up, leading to a range of disorders and symptoms often lumped under the general term “thyroid disease.” Common types of thyroid disease include hypothyroidism (underactive) and hyperthyroidism (overactive). Hypothyroidism: Occurs when the thyroid produces insufficient hormones. Symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, depression, dry skin and hair loss, sensitivity to cold, irregular menstruation, constipation, and brain fog. This is the most common type.Hyperthyroidism: Occurs when the thyroid produces excessive hormones. Symptoms include weight loss, irritability, irregular or rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, heat sensitivity, and difficulty sleeping. This type is rarer. Other thyroid-related conditions include goiter (enlargement of the thyroid/neck), thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Why Is Thyroid Screening Important? Though thyroid disease is common, many people are unaware they have the condition, and undiagnosed thyroid issues can lead to serious health problems. For instance, untreated hypothyroidism can increase the risk of heart disease and depression, while unmanaged hyperthyroidism can cause osteoporosis, stroke, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The good news is that thyroid disease can usually be managed by daily medication. A simple blood test, screening for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), is the most common way to diagnose thyroid disease. Abnormal TSH levels may prompt further testing for T4, T3, or thyroid antibodies, and imaging tests may sometimes be indicated. Your doctor may recommend screening if you present relevant symptoms or thyroid disease runs in your family. By understanding the function of the thyroid gland, recognizing the symptoms of thyroid disorders, and seeking appropriate screening, you can take measures to safeguard your health and ensure your system is running the way it should. January is a great time of year to take stock of your health and see your provider about symptoms you may have been ignoring. Posted in Health & WellnessTagged graves disease, hashimoto, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid, thyroid awareness month