Thyroid Disease: Are you at Risk?
Six million people or so in the United States are unaware they have thyroid disease. A simple blood test can answer that question for you. Fatigue, depression and moodiness are all symptoms. The standard screening method for both hyper- and hypothyroidism is a simple, highly sensitive blood test known as the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test. It enables doctors to detect even mild cases of thyroid disease long before symptoms appear. Anyone can be struck by thyroid disease, but as in most ailments, there are some factors that could make you more vulnerable:
- Over the age of 60, particularly if you are female
- Your family has a history of thyroid problems
- You have another auto-immune disease, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Addison's disease or pernicious anemia.
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- You have an enlarged thyroid or other members of your family have enlarged thyroids
- You have high cholesterol
- You suffer from depression
- Your hair turned gray before age 40
- You have dyslexia
- You have a fraternal twin
Note: The last three categories are somewhat controversial, but recent research suggests for reasons yet unclear, that people in these categories are more likely to develop thyroid problems.
The two most common thyroid problems occur when the thyroid gland becomes either under-active or over-active. An under-active gland produces inadequate amounts of thyroid hormones, which causes hypothyroidism. An over-active gland makes excessive amounts of hormones, leading to hyperthyroidism. (Hypothyroidism equals under-active thyroid, hyper over-active). Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism.
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