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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.