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The Thyroid and Your Health

The Thyroid and Your Health. Hormones and Your Health. What Is a Hormone? Which Ones Especially Affect Women? What Can Go Wrong? Thyroid Disease - a “Hidden” Problem for Women. What are Hormones. Chemicals that are released into the bloodstream Regulators of specific body functions.

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The Thyroid and Your Health

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  1. The Thyroid and Your Health

  2. Hormones and Your Health • What Is a Hormone? • Which Ones Especially Affect Women? • What Can Go Wrong? • Thyroid Disease - a “Hidden” Problem for Women

  3. What are Hormones • Chemicals that are released into the bloodstream • Regulators of specific body functions

  4. The Endocrine System Hypothalamus Pituitary Gland Thyroid Gland Parathyroid Glands (located on each side of the trachea and near the thyroid) Adrenal Glands Pancreas Ovaries Testes

  5. Negative Feedback Loop

  6. Hormones of Special Interest to Women Thyroxine (T4) Thyronine (T3) Estrogen Progesterone

  7. Thyroid Disease The “Hidden” Health Problem

  8. Who do you know with Thyroid Disease?

  9. What Does Your Thyroid Gland Do for You? • Produces two hormones called • Thyroxine (T4) • Thyronine (T3) • Regulates metabolism so your cells function properly • Affects every cell in the body

  10. Thyroid Disease AffectsMany Body Systems and Overall Health Thyroid Brain • Thyroid Disease Can Have Widespread Effects • Depression • Decreased Concentration • General Lack of Interest Liver • Increased LDL Cholesterol • ElevatedTriglycerides Heart • Decreased Heart Rate • Increased/DecreasedBlood Pressure • Decreased CardiacOutput Intestines • Constipation • Decreased GI Activity Reproductive System Kidneys • Decreased Function • Fluid Retention and Edema • Decreased Fertility • Menstrual Abnormalities • May Harm Development of Infant

  11. Thyroid Hormone AffectsMany Organs and General Health Eyes Thyroid Lungs Brain Heart Skin GI Tract Liver Kidney Uterus

  12. When the Thyroid Doesn’t Work Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism

  13. Hypothyroidism Two Common Types of Thyroid Disease Hyperthyroidism

  14. When the Thyroid Doesn’t Work • Hyperthyroidism • Too Much Thyroid Hormone • Metabolism Speeds Up • Hypothyroidism • Too Little Thyroid Hormone • Metabolism Slows Down

  15. Hyperthyroidism Affects About 1% of the U.S. Population or Two Million Americans More Common Among Women

  16. Signs and Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism Hoarseness orDeepening of Voice Nervousness Persistent Sore or Dry Throat Irritability Difficulty Sleeping Difficulty Swallowing Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat Bulging Eyes/Unblinking Stare Infertility Swelling (Goiter) Menstrual Irregularities orLight Period Weight Loss Heat Intolerance Increased Sweating Frequent Bowel Movements First-Trimester Miscarriage Warm, Moist Palms Family History ofThyroid Diseaseor Diabetes Excessive Vomiting in Pregnancy

  17. Increased Sweating Heat Intolerance Unexplained Weight Loss Scant Menstrual Periods Frequent Bowel Movements Warm, Moist Palms Fine Tremor of Fingers Common Signs and Symptomsof Hyperthyroidism Nervousness Irritability Difficulty Sleeping Bulging Eyes Unblinking Stare Goiter Rapid Heartbeat

  18. If You Have Hyperthyroidism,You’re in Good Company Barbara Bush 1984 Pre-treatment Barbara Bush 1991 Post-treatment

  19. Hypothyroidism: The Hidden Health Problem Affects Up to 25 Million Americans But Approximately 12 Million Are Undiagnosed

  20. Hypothyroidism Affects Multiple Body Systems Female Reproductive System Cardiovascular System Central Nervous System Hypothyroidism Can Cause Serious Harm to Your Health

  21. Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Puffy Eyes Tiredness Forgetfulness/Slower Thinking Swelling (Goiter) Moodiness/ Irritability Hoarseness/Deepening of Voice Depression Persistent Dry or Sore Throat Inability to Concentrate Thinning Hair or Hair Loss Difficulty Swallowing Loss of Body Hair Slower Heartbeat Menstrual Irregularities/Heavy Period Dry, Patchy Skin Weight Gain Infertility Cold Intolerance Constipation Muscle Weakness or Cramps Elevated Cholesterol

  22. Slow Heartbeat Dry Skin Cold Intolerance Weight Gain Heavy Menstrual Periods Constipation Brittle Nails Common Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Tiredness Loss of Interest and/or Pleasure Forgetfulness Dry, Coarse Hair Loss of Lateral Eyebrow Hair Puffy Face and Eyes Goiter

  23. Hypothyroidism: The “Hidden” Disease Cardiovascular: Slow Heartbeat Elevated Cholesterol Aging: Dry, Scaly Skin Sparse or Coarse Hair Ear, Nose & Throat: Hoarse Voice Psychiatric: Impaired Concentration Depression Lethargy, Fatigue Gastrointestinal: Constipation Weight Gain Gynecological: Irregular Menstruation Infertility Muscular: Muscle Weakness Stiffness Blood: Anemia

  24. How to Rememberthe Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Sleepiness, Fatigue, Lethargy Loss of Memory, Trouble Concentrating Unusually Dry, Coarse Skin Goiter (Enlarged Thyroid) Gradual Personality Change, Depression Increase in Weight, Bloating or Puffiness (Edema) Sensitivity to Cold Hair Loss, Sparseness of Hair

  25. Spectrum of Thyroid Disease Severe Mild Subclinical

  26. Family and personal medical history Hypothyroidism may be Hereditary Physical exam MD Observes the Patient Palpates the thyroid Interviews patient Laboratory Tests TSH Test Free T4 Diagnosing Hypothyroidism

  27. Diagnosing Thyroid Disease Family and Medical History Physical Examination Laboratory Tests (TSH Test and Free T4)

  28. TSH Testing T3 & T4 “Sends Telegram” Pituitary Thyroid TSH

  29. Why Test Women Over 40? • Early Detection • Early Treatment • Prevention of • Organ Damage • Unpleasant Symptoms • Other Negative Health Consequences

  30. Treating Thyroid Disorders Hyperthyroidism • Radioiodine Therapy • Stop Thyroid Hormone Production • Anti-thyroid drugs often helpful • Replacement therapy often needed • Surgery maybe necessary • Monitoring tailored to individual patient status and needs

  31. Treating Thyroid Disorders Hypothyroidism Daily oral medication to replace missing hormone Individualized dosing adjustment to find the right dose for each patient Annual monitoring

  32. Your Responsibilities • Tell your doctor if you have symptoms • Ask your doctor for a TSH test and free T4 -- make these tests as part of your medical routine if you are a woman over 35 • Take your medication as directed • Take your thyroid medication separately from iron, calcium and multivitamins • Do not change brand or dose of your thyroid medication without consulting your doctor • If symptoms persist or return, tell your doctor

  33. Be Your Physician’s Partner in Your Health Care • Prepare any questions you may have in advance • Don’t hesitate to ask them • Observe good health practices • Eat right and exercise • Bring your medications with you when you see your doctor

  34. Don’t Let Your Thyroid Slow You Down • Know the signs and symptoms • Tell your doctor if you have any of them • Ask your doctor for a tsh test and free t4 if you have them • Take your medications only as directed by your physician • Don’t skip your medicine • consistency is the key to effective treatment and your thyroid health • Don’t change brands or dose unless your doctor approves the change and monitors your blood levels • Take time to take care of yourself!

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