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E-MAIL TIPS – THYROID HEALTH
“January is National Thyroid Awareness Month”
Every time you look in the mirror, a key to your well-being is staring back at you: your
thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of
your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. It makes hormones that help control the function
of many of your body’s organs including your heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin.
Making sure that your thyroid gland is healthy is important to your body’s overall well-being.
Some people who have an enlarged thyroid gland may also produce too much or too little
thyroid hormone. Besides a TSH test (thyroid stimulating hormone test), you can do a
thyroid neck self-check. This simple self-check may help identify if your thyroid is enlarged,
one sign that you may need further examination by a doctor.
Here's How:
1. Hold the mirror so that you can see the area of your neck just below the Adam's
apple and right above the collarbone. This is the general location of your thyroid
gland.
2. Tip your head back, while keeping this view of your neck and thyroid area in your
mirror.
3. Take a drink of water and swallow.
4. As you swallow, look at your neck. Watch carefully for any bulges, enlargement,
protrusions, or unusual appearances in this area when you swallow.
5. Repeat this process several times.
6. If you see any bulges, protrusions, lumps or anything that appears unusual, see your
doctor right away. You may have an enlarged thyroid, or a thyroid nodule, and your
thyroid should be evaluated.
Tips:
1. Don't get your Adam's apple confused with your thyroid gland. The Adam's apple is
at the front of your neck, the thyroid is further down, and closer to your collarbone.
It’s not difficult to keep your thyroid in balance, but you need to know your numbers. If you
are diagnosed with thyroid disease, be sure to take your thyroid medicine every day, as
instructed by your doctor, and refill your prescription on time so that you don’t miss any
doses. Your doctor may want to run a TSH test every 6 to 12 months to monitor your
thyroid levels to ensure that you receive the optimal dose of thyroid medicine.
Source: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)