It’s January 2022 – have you checked on your thyroid health lately? If not, consider learning more about thyroid disease and what your thyroid does for the body. 

Why now? Well, says Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care (PCHC), January is National Thyroid Awareness Month!

Some Interesting Facts

As we dive into this awareness month, let’s also take a look at what the thyroid is (and why this gland is actually pretty important)! Here are some facts about your thyroid:

• This butterfly-shaped gland sits in your neck above your collarbone.
• Your thyroid is an endocrine gland, which produces hormones such as thyroxine (T4). 
• Overall, this gland plays a role in many important bodily functions, including temperature, breathing, heart rate, and even nutrient absorption. 

To learn more about your thyroid, take a look at this helpful primer from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER Training Modules. 

National Thyroid Awareness Month

So why is raising awareness this month so incredibly important? One reason is the wide range of conditions which can be associated with this gland. For example, The Surgical Clinic shares that an estimated 1 in 8 women, and 1 in 10 people overall, will experience some form of thyroid disorder during their lifetime. These include:

• Hyperthyroidism — in this condition, the thyroid is more active than it should be. As the gland produces too many hormones, it hastens metabolism. Symptoms associated with this disorder include:
  • Hyperactivity, irritability, anxiety, or restlessness
  • Tachycardia (extremely rapid heartbeat)
  • Heart palpitations
  • Frequent bowel movements and/or diarrhea
  • Heightened appetite paired with unintended weight loss
  • Insomnia or other sleep difficulties
  • Hand tremors
• Hypothyroidism — in this condition, the thyroid is not as active as it should be and fails to produce enough hormones. This condition is most common in middle-aged women, though it can occur in other populations. Symptoms associated with this condition include:
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Increased sensitivity to cold
  • Weight gain
  • Hoarse voice
  • Thinning hair
  • Goiter
  • Heavy or irregular menstruation
• Thyroid Cancer — Risk factors associated with thyroid cancer include radiation exposure (particularly to the head and neck), a family history of this cancer, or genetic disease such as multiple endocrine neoplasia types 2A and 2B. There are multiple forms of thyroid cancer, including follicular (starting in follicular cells, which may metastasize to other body parts), papillary, anaplastic (rare and extremely malignant), and medullary (starting in C cells, and may metastasize). Symptoms include:
  • A lump in the neck that may grow quickly
  • Neck, throat, and jaw pain and inflammation
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing
  • Chronic cough
  • Hoarseness or other vocal changes

Testing for and Treating Thyroid Conditions

To receive a diagnosis for a thyroid condition, such as those listed above, many doctors require blood tests. These tests measure thyroid hormone levels. Additionally testing may include various imaging tests (MRIs, CT scans, PET scans), ultrasounds, biopsies, and genetic counseling.

While both hyper- and hypothyroidism can be treated using medicines, thyroid cancer may require more invasive therapeutic options. These include a partial or full thyroidectomy, surgical lymph node removal, thyroid hormone therapy, radiation or chemotherapy, or alcohol ablation.

If you suspect you or someone you know has a thyroid disorder, consider visiting an endocrinologist as soon as possible. To learn how to perform a self-check on yourself or a loved one, check out this resource from Unicity Healthcare.