Download January 2017

January 2017
YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO HEALTH CARE AWARENESS
Doctor’s
Bag
Thyroid Disease Symptoms
DidUKnow?
The hormones produced by
the thyroid gland play a vital
role in regulating many of
your body’s processes. So
it’s no surprise that if there
are issues with your thyroid,
your body will let you know.
Here are some common
symptoms of thyroid disease
to be on the lookout for:
IMPACT OF
THYROID DISEASE
According to the American
Thyroid Association (ATA):
•More than 12% of the
U.S. population will develop
a thyroid condition in their
lifetime.
Unexplained Change in Weight
•Approximately 20 million
Americans have some form
of thyroid disease.
If you experience a sudden increase or decrease
in weight without making changes to your lifestyle,
it may be caused by an issue with your thyroid.
•Up to 60% of people with
thyroid disease are unaware
of their condition.
Swelling in the Neck
•Undiagnosed thyroid
disease may put patients
at risk for other serious
conditions, such as
cardiovascular diseases,
osteoporosis and infertility.
Your thyroid sits low on the front of your neck,
under your Adam’s apple and along the front
of your windpipe. If there are visible signs of
swelling or enlargement in that area, you should
see your doctor.
Changes in Mood or Energy
Thyroid disorders may impact your energy levels
by making you feel tired, sluggish or even restless.
You may also experience changes in your mood
such as depression or irritability.
Hair Loss
Losing your hair is another sign that your thyroid
hormones may be unbalanced.
Feeling too Hot or too Cold
Thyroid disorders can affect the way your body
regulates temperature, leaving you feeling colder
or hotter than usual.
If you think there is an issue with your thyroid
gland, it’s important to seek medical treatment
to avoid serious health problems and keep you
feeling your best.
Claims are administered by UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company.
•Women are five to eight
times more likely to have
thyroid issues than men.
•One in eight women will
develop a thyroid disorder in
her lifetime.
•Pregnant women with
undiagnosed or untreated
hypothyroidism have
an increased risk of
miscarriage, preterm
delivery and developmental
problems in their children.
Information Sources
Thyroid.org, General Information/Press Room
(November 2016): http://www.thyroid.org.
WebMD, Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions
(November 2016): http://www.webmd.com.
WebMD, Understanding Thyroid Problems –
the Basics (November 2016): http://www.
webmd.com.
The thyroid is a butterflyshaped gland in the front
of your neck that produces
multiple hormones that
influence the metabolic
processes in your body.
Most common thyroid issues
are caused from irregular
hormone production and
can be categorized as
either hyperthyroidism or
hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is the
overproduction of thyroid
hormones. Graves’ disease
is the leading cause of
hyperthyroidism, but it can
also be caused by nodules
developing in the thyroid
glands (toxic adenomas),
inflammation of the thyroid
(subacute thyroiditis), pituitary
gland malfunctions or
cancerous growths.
Hypothyroidism is the
underproduction of thyroid
hormones. Hypothyroidism
is caused by autoimmune
disorders (Hashimoto’s
thyroiditis), removal of the
thyroid gland and exposure
to excessive amounts of
iodine and the drug Lithium.
Since thyroid hormones
influence your body’s metabolic
processes, hypothyroidism
often leads to low energy levels.
While thyroid disorders
can vary from harmless to
potentially life-threatening,
most issues can be easily
managed with medical
treatment.