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Women's Wellness Wednesday - March 2013





KOSI 101.1 and HealthONE want you to be “in the know”
on how to keep you and your loved ones healthy.
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Listen to our monthly audio topic:

Thyroid & Parathyroid Conditions

Do you feel tired all the time?
Have you had problems with weight gain?
Do you have low bone density?

Thyroid and parathyroid problems can cause a variety of symptoms, like these, or they can silently take a toll on your body. If you think you may be facing a thyroid or parathyroid condition, talk with your doctor. Here is some helpful information and your thyroid and parathyroid health.

What is the Thyroid?
The thyroid is a 4 to 5 inch gland that sits in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. Its main function is to make thyroid hormone, which helps regulate overall metabolism. Thyroid hormone functions like the thermostat of the body, helping to regulate temperature, heart rate, bowel function, energy and the overall feeling of wellbeing.

What is the Parathyroid?
The parathyroid is a gland next to the thyroid that secretes a hormone to regulate calcium levels in the body.

Graves’ Disease/Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism refers to any condition in which too much thyroid hormone is produced in your body. It affects more women than men and can include the following symptoms:
  • Weight loss despite unchanged eating or exercise habits
  • Fast heart rate
  • Increased irritability
  • Hair loss
  • Increased appetite
With Graves’ Disease, the body makes antibodies that attack the thyroid gland and stimulate thyroid tissue to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. There are tests that can be used to confirm hyperthyroidism, and treatment can include medications, radioactive iodine treatment or surgery.

Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone to meet the body’s requirements. The common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, hair loss, muscle aches and depression. It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and can be treated with medication for thyroid hormone supplementation.

Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is an excess production of parathyroid hormone, which can result in bone loss and can disrupt the balance of many organ systems. In most patients, the diagnosis is made on routine blood tests, when calcium and parathyroid levels are only slightly affected and symptoms are mild or even non-existent.

Surgery is the only cure for hyperparathyroidism, but it can be done with just a small incision in the lower neck.  

Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is the fastest growing type of cancer in the United States, and it affects primarily women. Symptoms include:
  • A lump or mass on the side of the neck
  • Hoarseness or change in voice
  • Pressure or tightness in the lower neck
  • Difficulty swallowing
As with many cancers, experts don’t know all of the reasons that thyroid cancer can develop. There are several known risk factors, including:
  • Radiation to the head or neck (especially during childhood)
  • Family history of thyroid or other endocrine tumors
  • History of “goiter” (enlarged thyroid)
  • Gender - more than 75% of thyroid cancers affect women
Many early thyroid cancers show no symptoms, but it can be found during exams or other studies.

Most thyroid cancers are very treatable and have an excellent prognosis. Treatment depends on the type of thyroid cancer, but it usually involves the removal of the thyroid and then the use of thyroid hormone replacement medication.

And remember, have your physician check your thyroid if you think you may be suffering from a thyroid or parathyroid condition. Or call 303-320-2578 or visit www.RoseThyroidCenter.com to be referred to a specialist with the Rose Thyroid and Parathyroid Center.



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