Understanding Thyroid Disease

1. Understanding Thyroid Disease Understanding Thyroid Disease According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), a minimum of 20 million Americans are affected by some sort of thyroid disease. In fact, quite 12% of the population are going to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition in their lifetime and a staggering 60% of these who have it are unaware of their condition. These numbers tell just one thing: thyroid disease should be taken seriously and more treatment options like functional medicine need to be explored. But what exactly is thyroid disease and what are the foremost common thyroid conditions today? The thyroid Although not as popular as other organs, the thyroid plays a crucial role during a person’s health and wellbeing. consistent with Dr. Jerome M. Hershman, the author of the thyroid section of the Merck Manual, “thyroid hormones impact a number of important body functions, including pulse , skin maintenance, growth, temperature regulation, fertility and digestion.” The thyroid may be a butterfly shaped organ located within the throat that's a part of the system . It weights about 20 grams and measures a minimum of 2 inches wide where it stretches across the front a part of the neck slightly below the larynx . The thyroid could also be small but it's liable for producing hormones that play vital functions in every cell, tissue and organ of the body, which is why even the slightest abnormality can already cause serious health issues to affected individuals. The function of the thyroid The thyroid produces the hormones T4 (thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine), T3 (triiodothyronine) and calcitonin and secretes them into the bloodstream where they're distributed to all or any parts of the body. These hormones are liable for vital functions like controlling the quantity of oxygen that cells utilize and the way cells and organs convert nutrient into energy. Cindy Samet, a chemistry professor at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania explained the vital role of the thyroid within the body: “…the thyroid is that the body’s master metabolic center . Brain, heart and kidney function, also a blood heat , growth and muscle strength—and much more—are at the mercy of thyroid function.” The thyroid is additionally liable for regulating brain and nerve function also because the function of the hair, skin, heart, eyes and intestines. Thyroid disease Thyroid disease is that the general term used for a condition associated with the dysfunction of the thyroid . the 2 commonest medical conditions of the thyroid are hyperthyroidism or the super secretion of thyroid hormones that causes the body to spend energy fast and hypothyroidism or the under secretion of thyroid hormones that cause extreme fatigue, sensitivity to cold temperature and even sudden weight gain. These conditions all cause a spread of diseases that are all associated with the thyroid and its inability to function properly. The prevalence of thyroid diseases Thyroid diseases are a number of the foremost prevalent medical conditions within the world and studies have revealed that while they're most prevalent in areas of the planet where there's a high rate of iodine deficiency within the diet. Signs and symptoms can also vary from area to area also because the availability of treatments. With the growing number of individuals affected by thyroid diseases, there are major international efforts to assist areas most suffering from these medical conditions to deal with iodine deficiency by increasing iodine intake. In fact, some countries have recommended the mandatory iodization of salt, which is an important condiment in most households. The World Health Organization also recommends a perfect iodine dietary allowance of a minimum of 150 micrograms of iodine/day. This number increases to 250 micrograms in pregnant women and 290 micrograms for lactating mothers. According to WHO, there are a minimum of two billion people affected by iodine deficiency, 285 million of which are school-age children. A urinary excretion of but 100 micrograms per liter can have significant effects on a child’s growth and development, which frequently leads to one among the foremost common preventable mental impairments round the world. The risk for thyroid diseases According to Dr. Hershman, “women are particularly in danger for a thyroid issue. One in eight women will develop a thyroid

2. disorder during the course of their lives—that’s five to eight times the speed in men.” Individuals also become more susceptible for thyroid diseases thanks to the subsequent risk factors: • A familial history of thyroid disease or autoimmune disorder • The presence of autoimmune disorders like Graves’ disease, type 1 diabetes and Hashimoto’s disease • Being a lady , especially those that are over 60 years old • Current or recent pregnancy (women who are pregnant or have born within the last six months are at the very best risk) • Disorders of the pituitary • Other existing medical conditions like pernicious anaemia , primary adrenal insufficiency, Turner syndrome, atrophic arthritis , lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome • Exposure to high amounts of radioactive iodine from hyperthyroidism treatment or recent exposure to iodine contrast like those utilized in CT scans • Taking medications that are high in iodine like amiodarone and lithium for a few bipolar disorders • A history of trauma to the thyroid or past thyroid surgery • Smoking • Psychological stress Thyroid cancer is another known condition that affects the thyroid. consistent with a study published within the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2017 revealed that between 1975 and 2013, there has been a gentle growth of thyroid cancer cases round the world. consistent with Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, an endocrine surgeon and director of the Endocrine Tumor Program at Saint John’s clinic in California, “up to 70 percent of middle-age females and 40 to 50 percent of middle-age males have thyroid nodules.” Common causes While a private is at a better risk for contracting thyroid diseases with all the danger factors mentioned above, they're commonly caused by medical conditions that affect the functions of the thyroid gland: • Hypothyroidism It is essentially a condition during which the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormone thanks to under activity. In turn, it causes the body’s metabolism to run slower than normal, which ends up to sudden weight gain, dry hair, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, low tolerance to cold, constipation, amnesia and abnormal menstrual cycles. According to studies, there are a minimum of 10 million Americans who have hypothyroidism and 10% of girls may have this condition to a point with some not even knowing that they need it. • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis Also referred to as Hashimoto’s disease, this autoimmune disorder is that the commonest explanation for hypothyroidism. With Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, your system attacks your thyroid causing significant damage thereto , which successively affects its ability to supply enough thyroid hormones that your body requires. Your risk of developing this condition is higher if you're affected by other autoimmune disorders like autoimmune hepatitis, Addison’s disease, pernicious anaemia , lupus, Type 1 diabetes and vitiligo. Hashimoto’s disease is that the commonest explanation for hypothyroidism in Americans affecting 5 in 100 people. it's also eight times more common in women than in men and symptoms often appear between the age of 40 and 60. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis causes weight gain, low tolerance to cold, constipation, fatigue, dry hair and even depression. • Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism may be a condition where the thyroid produces an excessive amount of of the thyroxine hormone, which accelerates the body’s metabolism and result to unintentional weight los, tachycardia or rapid pulse , increased appetite, tremors, sweating, anxiety and increased sensitivity to heat. Graves disease is that the commonest explanation for hyperthyroidism, but thyroiditis or the swelling of the thyroid or hyper functioning thyroid nodules also can cause it. Compared to hypothyroidism, only 1.2% or 1 in 100 people within the us who have hyperthyroidism. • Graves’ disease Graves’ disease may be a sort of autoimmune disease that causes an overactive thyroid. Like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease causes the system to attack the thyroid, which makes it produce more thyroid hormones than the body requires. Since thyroid hormones are liable for controlling the speed during which your body utilizes energy, this deficiency can affect almost every organ in your body including the way your heart beats. Graves’ disease is that the commonest explanation for hyperthyroidism among Americans affecting 1 in 200 people. • Goiter A goiter is actually the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid that would eventually affect the way you cough, swallow or breathe,

3. although it's painless. Goiter is usually caused by the shortage of iodine within the diet, which is why WHO has recommended the voluntary or mandatory iodization of salt. In the us where iodized salt is employed in every household, goiter is caused either by thyroid nodules, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Some of the symptoms of goiter include a clear swelling at the bottom of the neck, coughing, a decent feeling within the throat and eventually, difficulty in swallowing and breathing because the thyroid enlarges further. • Thyroid nodules A thyroid nodule is actually a lump or swelling within the thyroid . Most of those nodules are harmless, but in some instances, they might cause the overproduction of thyroid hormones or they might be cancerous. According to Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, director of the Endocrine Tumor Program at Providence Saint John’s clinic in California, “up to 70% of middle-age females and 40 to 50 percent of middle-age males have thyroid nodules. you'll even be born with an additional piece anywhere as high because the base of your tongue.” Breakthrough treatment options for thyroid disease Treating thyroid disease depends heavily on what caused it. But apart from conventional treatment options like medication, therapy and surgery, functional medicine is additionally now taking the spotlight as a potent thanks to address thyroid diseases. Functional medicine utilizes a systems biology based approach in diagnosing and treating any medical condition. during this case, the practice looks closely at the abnormalities within the thyroid that causes these diseases to seem in a private . Functional medicine practitioners believe that there has been some misinterpretation in how these diseases are diagnosed. consistent with the American College of Endocrinology, a TSH level of over 3.0 is already considered hypothyroid, but most doctors only start treatment when levels reach over 5 or 10, which suggests that an honest chunk of the population are suffering without them even knowing it. So how does functional medicine approach the treatment to thyroid disease? • Eliminate the causes. Through an entire assessment of the patient’s lifestyle, a practitioner will determine any factors that would interfere with how the thyroid functions normally and address them. For instance, foods like broccoli and soy can cause thyroid dysfunction, so this has got to be eliminated from the diet. Gluten also can aggravate thyroid disease, so patients might be recommended to travel on a diet . • Support thyroid function. It’s also vital to offer the thyroid all the nutritional support it must heal. this will be done by eating foods that are rich in iodine and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamins A and D also as zinc and selenium also are important nutrient that help the thyroid heal. Patients can also be required to require supplements to further supply the body with all the nutrients needed for the thyroid to function properly again. • Have the thyroid tested. Unlike conventional practice , functional medicine looks into the larger picture of a patient’s condition to ascertain exactly what his body goes through. In thyroid diseases, it’s vital to possess the thyroid tested for the diagnosis of “subclinical” hypothyroidism, which may be deemed normal by some doctors, but still prompt proper intervention. References: https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/press-room/ https://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/med/9780199235292.001.1/med-9780199235292-chapter-317 https://www.verywellhealth.com/thyroid-disease-causes-4013368 https://www.everydayhealth.com/thyroid-conditions/evaluating-your-thyroid-disease-risk.aspx https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/hypothyroidism-too-little-thyroid-hormone

4. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-diseasehttps://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-disease https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20373659 https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/graves-disease https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/goiter/symptoms-causes/syc-20351829