Despite its relatively small size compared to your body’s other organs, your thyroid is one powerful performer. Located inside the front of your neck just below your voice box (larynx), the thyroid takes iodine found in many foods and water and converts it into two important hormones that travel through your blood to all body tissues and are primarily responsible for regulating your metabolism.
Your thyroid is also a site for one of the more common chronic medical conditions in the United States—hypothyroidism. Usually caused when your immune system response backfires or does more harm than good, hypothyroidism results in an underactive thyroid that is unable to make enough hormones to keep one’s body running correctly.
People with hypothyroidism often initially feel fatigued and sluggish. Symptoms tend to develop slowly, but may eventually include weight gain, pale dry skin, dry hair, puffy face, hoarseness, constipation and, among women, menstrual irregularities. Some people experience swelling in the front of the neck due to thyroid enlargement. Those most at risk for developing hypothyroidism? Adults over age 50 and women.
While people with thyroid problems may experience such symptoms, they may not always know that this gland is to blame. Never delay reporting symptoms that point to an underactive thyroid. Your healthcare provider will order blood tests that measure thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
Be sure to discuss issues or concerns you may have about thyroid health with your Riverview Health primary care provider. Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, so it’s important to catch this potentially dangerous condition early on and treat it properly.
Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.
Sources: FamilyDoctor.org, Hormone.org, NLM.NIH.org
