January 2011 Newsletter 
 
January is Thyroid Awareness Month 
January isn't just a time for making New Year's resolutions, it's also a time to check your neck during Thyroid Awareness Month. Surprisingly, as many as 59 million Americans have thyroid problems, but the majority are unaware they suffer from the condition. 
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland found just below the Adam's apple. It makes thyroid hormones, which are chemicals that affect the function of many of the body's organs including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. If your thyroid is not working properly, neither are you! 
If you suspect you may have a thyroid problem, call your doctor and schedule an appointment today! 
Click on the Wellcast icon to the right to learn more. 
 
Hyperthyroidism vs. Hypothyroidism 
 
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of important hormones. Women, especially those older than age 50, are more likely to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but, over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease. 
 
Symptoms: 
 
 
 
Fatigue 
 
 
 
Sluggishness 
 
 
 
Increased sensitivity to cold 
 
 
 
Constipation 
 
 
 
Pale, dry skin 
 
 
 
A puffy face 
 
 
 
Hoarse voice 
 
 
 
An elevated blood cholesterol level 
 
 
 
Unexplained weight gain 
 
 
 
Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness 
 
 
 
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints 
 
 
 
Muscle weakness 
 
 
 
Heavier than normal menstrual periods 
 
 
 
Brittle fingernails and hair 
 
 
 
Depression 
 
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can significantly accelerate your body's metabolism, causing sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness or irritability. 
 
Several treatment options are available if you have hyperthyroidism. Doctors use anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine to slow the production of thyroid hormones. Sometimes, treatment of hyperthyroidism involves 
 
 surgery to remove part of your thyroid gland. Although hyperthyroidism can be serious if you ignore it, most people respond well once hyperthyroidism is diagnosed and treated. 
 
Symptoms: 
 
 
 
Sudden weight loss, even when your appetite and diet remain normal or even increase 
 
 
 
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) -- commonly more than 100 beats a minute -- irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or 
 
pounding of your heart (palpitations) 
 
 
 
Increased appetite 
 
 
 
Nervousness, anxiety and irritability 
 
 
 
Tremor -- usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers 
 
 
 
Sweating 
 
 
 
Changes in menstrual patterns 
 
 
 
Increased sensitivity to heat 
 
 
 
Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements 
 
 
 
An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may appear as a swelling at the base of your neck 
 
 
 
Fatigue, muscle weakness 
 
 
 
Difficulty sleeping 
 
For more information about hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, visit georgiahealthinfo.gov.