How To Diagnose Thyroid Disease

Is Your Thyroid Healthy?

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, in 2010 more than 27 million Americans had either an overactive or underactive thyroid. The problem is that approximately half of them knew about it while the other half had no idea.

Most people are not medical professionals, but more important is that not every medical professional understands how to diagnose thyroid disease. I may get beat up a bit for saying that, but that fact is that there is so much to know about medicine that medical professionals can’t possibly know everything about everything. This is why there are specializations in medicine.

The specialization for thyroid disease is endocrinology. Endocrinologists study hormones and associated disorders, deficiencies, and diseases. The focus areas for many endocrinologists are diabetes, metabolism, and fertility as they are all associated with hormonal abnormalities.

Although not an endocrinologist, Dr. Mehmet Oz, of the Dr. Oz Show, explained that the thyroid is a bowtie or butterfly shaped gland that wraps around the windpipe. The brain tells the gland the level of hormone to produce, but if the thyroid is sick, then it won’t make enough and it grows bigger with scar tissue. The gland could create swelling in the neck, Oz said.

Thyroid disease can cause so many things to happen to the body depending upon which disease it is. Some of the different symptoms are: weight gain, fatigue, sensitivity to cold temperatures, drowsiness, forgetfulness, difficulty with learning, dry/brittle hair and nails, dry/itchy skin, puffy face, constipation, sore muscles, heavy menstrual flow, increased sensitivity to medications, increased frequency of miscarriages, racing heart beat, anxiety, irritability, trembling hands, weight loss, sensitivity to warm temperatures, loss of hair, muscle weakness, loose bowel movements, smooth skin, and protrusion of the eyes.

There are different types of thyroid diseases: hashimotos, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, nodules, and cancer. Each is clearly defined, including symptoms and treatment, on the following site:

http://www.thyroidawareness.com/hypo.php#f

I have listed a few of the best informational and reliable websites below so that you can become better informed and find a specialist in your area:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thyroiddiseases.html
www.aace.com
www.thyroid.org

The key point to having good health is that you, the host of your body, pay attention to your body and become educated about your own personal health. Get copies of your annual physical results, track your results and blood work, educate yourself from reliable sources only, and listen to your body. If you have switched doctors it is even more important for you to be educated about your medical history and not rely solely on your doctor to know everything and pick-up on everything that is going on with you. Doctors are highly educated, but they are not clairvoyant. Always consult with your doctor. It really helps to approach your relationship with your doctor as if you are a team by going to your appointments prepared with educated questions.

Good Luck!
Kimberly Auvil