January is Thyroid Awareness Month

As many as 59 million Americans suffer from thyroid disorders and close to 27 million have thyroid cancer, however, more than half remain undiagnosed. Thyroid Awareness Month, observed in January, is meant to promote awareness and an understanding of thyroid health.

Your thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck just below the Adam’s apple. It produces hormones that help control the function of your body’s metabolism as well as the function of many important organs such as your heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin.

The first step for thyroid health is making sure your thyroid hormone levels are in balance. Regular check ups are the key to successfully recognizing and managing thyroid gland disorders. The most common symptoms include fatigue, weight changes, neck fullness, depression, anxiety and hair loss.

There are also a variety of risk factors that predispose the development of thyroid disorders. Family history, gender, pregnancy, current or former smokers, high stress lifestyles, radiation exposure and age are all key factors that contribute to the risk of developing thyroid disorders.

The second step for thyroid health is recognizing there are effective treatments to manage disorders. Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in America, but it is also one of the most curable.

Cancer and most disorders are easily treated with hormones or partial/entire surgical removal of the thyroid gland.

This month is the perfect opportunity to assess your risk and educate yourself about thyroid health. Be sure to speak to your physician if you think you are at risk for thyroid disorders or are experiencing symptoms. Contact the Marion Regional Healthcare System to schedule a check up today.

Vital Stats is a health column provided by the doctors and staff of Marion Regional Healthcare System. For information call (843) 431-2000.