Thyroid Awareness Month

Thyroid health?

The thyroid gland produces triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones which are important for all essential functions of the body. Any issues with the thyroid gland can affect the production of these hormones. This gland is on the front side of your neck. It is a butterfly-shaped gland. It helps with metabolism, breathing, maintaining temperature, heart rate, etc. When your thyroid gland is producing too much or too little hormone then, it causes thyroid gland disorders. However, you can prevent these conditions by avoiding processed foods, eating iron-rich foods, or consuming selenium supplements in the diet.??

Functions??

The main function of the thyroid gland is to regulate your metabolism. Other functions include:??

• It regulates body temperature and heart rate.??
• It also helps with growth and development in the body as it regulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormones.??
• As it regulates metabolism, it also helps to regulate weight, digestion, and moods.??
• It also controls the menstrual cycle.??

Learn more in detail about thyroid health and its common conditions in this article.??

Common thyroid conditions??

When your thyroid gland produces too much hormone or too few hormones, it leads to several thyroid conditions. The most common are:??

• Grave’s disease: Grave’s disease is the most common condition which causes hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease that makes your immune system attack your thyroid gland. This condition can happen at any age; however, it is more common in people in their 20s and 30s. Risk factors like family history, stress, smoking, or having Epstein-Barr virus infection can lead to Grave’s disease. Common symptoms are - irritability, fatigue, tremors, irregular heart rate, excessive sweating, or difficulty sleeping. While there is no cure for Grave’s disease, you can manage its symptoms with treatment.??
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: This disease is also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is also an autoimmune disease that makes your immune system attack and slowly destroy your thyroid gland. It can happen at any age but is most common in middle-aged women. Some people experience mild symptoms while some have no major symptoms. Common symptoms are - fatigue, depression, constipation, dry skin, or a puffy face. There is no cure for this disease. But with treatment, you can manage your symptoms.??
• Goiter: Goiter is a noncancerous condition in which your thyroid gland size increases. The most common cause of this condition is an iodine deficiency in your diet. This condition can happen at any age, worldwide 15.8% of the population has a goiter, and you only develop its symptoms if it is severe. Symptoms include - swelling in your neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing, or a hoarse voice. You can treat this condition with radioactive iodine therapy or surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.??
• Thyroid nodules: This condition happens when nodules grow on or in your thyroid gland. This condition is more common in women than in men. While most thyroid nodules are not serious and don’t cause symptoms, a small percentage of thyroid nodules can be cancerous. Symptoms include swelling at the base of the neck, shortness of breath, or difficulty swallowing. Treatment depends on the type of thyroid nodules you have. Treatment involves surgery, radioactive iodine, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.??

Prevention tips?

Mostly you can prevent hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. However, iodine deficiency caused by hypothyroidism can be prevented by consuming a diet rich in sodium. You can’t prevent hyperthyroidism, which is caused by Grave’s disease, an autoimmune disorder. In rare cases, the thyroid becomes overactive if you eat highly processed food that contains excessive amounts of iodine. While preventing thyroid disease is not possible but you can prevent the complications by getting an early diagnosis and following your treatment plan.?

While you can’t prevent all thyroid conditions, you can take some steps that help you keep your thyroid healthy. Such as:??

• Avoid or limit highly processed foods.??
• Eat enough iron in your diet.??
• Consume selenium-containing food or supplements.??

The thyroid gland is an essential gland that produces thyroid hormones that regulate essential body functions. If your thyroid gland produces too much or too little thyroid hormones it means that you have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland which is caused by several thyroid conditions. While you cannot prevent them, early diagnosis and treatment can help you manage your symptoms well and prevent their complications.??

Looking for treatment of hormonal disorders, contact us at 718-DORAL-55 or 13473845690 to schedule an appointment. Log on to? www.doralhw.org or visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.

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