According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid cancer. As January is Thyroid Awareness Month, it is important to discuss because 60% of those with a thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. In this article, we will discuss what the thyroid is and its function.
What is the thyroid and what is its function?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the lower front of the neck. The role of the thyroid is to make thyroid hormones. These hormones are secreted into the blood and then carried throughout the body. The thyroid controls the body’s metabolism, increases heart rate, and affects how fast things move through the body such as food, bone loss, and sugar. It is thought to be the most important endocrine organ!
In honor of Thyroid Awareness Month, here are few quick facts of about thyroid disorders.
- Women are 5-8 times more likely than men to experience thyroid problems
- 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid disorder in her lifetime
- The cause of thyroid problems is largely unknown
- Cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and infertility are serious conditions that can occur if thyroid disease goes undiagnosed
- It is important for pregnant women to be diagnosed and treated adequately. If not, risks include miscarriage, preterm delivery and severe developmental problems in their children
- Most thyroid diseases are life-long and can be managed with proper medical attention
- Thyroid nodules are very common and are present in 60-70% of middle-aged women
- Most thyroid cancers respond to treatment, but a small percentage can be very aggressive