January is Thyroid Awareness Month

Every time you look in the mirror, a key to your well-being is staring you right in the face: 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. Your thyroid gland helps control the function of your body's metabolism as well as function of many important organs, including your heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. Making sure your thyroid gland is healthy and functioning properly is extremely important to your overall well-being.

The first step toward taking control of your thyroid health is identifying whether your thyroid hormone levels are in balance. The second step is to recognize that there are effective treatments to manage thyroid disease, as long as you follow your doctor's instructions.

A Simple Guide to Thyroid Disorders: From Diagnosis to Treatment by Scott Isaacs, M.D. (Omaha, Addicus Books) will help you understand the role of your thyroid gland and illustrate how you and your doctor can partner to identify your risk for thyroid disease, how to best treat your condition if you are diagnosed, and how to live an active and fulfilling life by keeping your thyroid in balance.

Your Thyroid Gland Is More Important Than You Might Think.

The endocrine system is made up of glands throughout the body which regulate the function, growth and development of virtually every cell, tissue and organ in the body by secreting chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream. When endocrine disorders develop, too much or too little hormone is secreted by a specific gland because the gland stops functioning properly due to illness, surgical removal or natural causes.

Thyroid dysfunction occurs when the thyroid gland produces either too much thyroid hormone, which causes your body's systems to speed up--this is called hyperthyroidism; or too little thyroid hormone, which causes your body's systems to slow down--this is called hypothyroidism, both negatively affecting your overall well-being.

Be sure to speak to your doctor or nurse if you think you are at risk for thyroid disease and are experiencing symptoms. If you are currently being treated for thyroid disease, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions, taking the exact medicine your doctor prescribed every day.

Top 10 things people should know about thyroid disorders:

• Up to 27 million Americans may be affected by thyroid disorders, although more than half remain undiagnosed.
• Thyroid disorders are more common amongst women.
• Thyroid disorders tend to run in the family.
• Fatigue is a common complaint for under and over active thyroid conditions.
• TSH testing is the most useful test for thyroid screening.
• Regular check ups are the key to successfully managing a malfunctioning thyroid gland.
• Changing brands and dosage that affect thyroid hormone levels should be followed by retesting.
• Do not change your dose of thyroid medication without guidance from your physician.
• Thyroid conditions in pregnancy warrant close attention.
• Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in America and one of the most curable.

Remember, if your thyroid gland isn't working properly, neither will you.

http://www.intelligenthealthcenter.com/newsevents/ThyroidAwareness2008.htm