Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
The thyroid does not get as much attention as it should. It is a gland located in the front of the neck that plays a role in multiple systems in the body. So, if you have a variety of signs and symptoms going on, it honestly could be your thyroid malfunctioning in some way.
A thyroid disorder should be considered because 12% of the population has a thyroid disorder, but 60%
of people are not aware they have a thyroid disease.
The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone that can impact brain function, heart function, digestion, mood, skin health, periods and more. There are four main things that can happen with the thyroid gland in both men and women which include thyroid goiter, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
The thyroid is located in the front of the neck, and, like many organs, it can get too big. A large thyroid is called a goiter and appears a large bump in the front of the neck. A goiter can just be structurally larger than normal, but can also impact thyroid hormone levels, making the thyroid hormone level too high or too low. A goiter can cause hoarseness and even trouble swallowing if large enough.
More commonly, thyroid problems present as changes in the thyroid level, either too high of
thyroid level (hyperthyroidism) or too low of thyroid level (hypothyroidism).
Low thyroid hormone levels can cause symptoms like depression, dry skin, constipation, slow heart rate,
swelling and weight gain. A common medical disorder that causes low thyroid hormone levels is an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but many people also have low thyroid hormone level due to thyroid removal surgery or radiation treatment.
On the other hand, high thyroid levels or hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, sweating, fast heart rate, weight loss and diarrhea. Grave’s disease is one the most common causes of high thyroid hormone levels and other causes include thyroid nodules or inflammation of the thyroid.
Both high thyroid hormone levels and low thyroid hormones levels can be treated by taking different medications.
Additionally, high thyroid hormone levels can also be treated through surgery or radiation treatment to decrease or stop the thyroid gland’s ability to produce thyroid. Those who go through a procedure to stop thyroid hormone level will then have too low of thyroid and have to take thyroid hormone medication to increase thyroid hormone levels to to be closer to normal, which helps the body function more regularly.
Finally, like other organs, the thyroid gland can also produce abnormal cells that become cancer. Thyroid cancer is diagnosed through a biopsy of the thyroid tissue and can be treated through medications and surgery.
Unfortunately, African Americans are more like to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer later and with more aggressive cancer risks.
Thyroid hormones play an important role in the body’s function. So, abnormal thyroid levels should be managed appropriately to prevent symptoms and complications. Those with symptoms that could be concerning for a thyroid disorder should see their doctor to get a
medical evaluation.
Dr. Aisha Harris, MD is a Flint native and board certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com.
Feel free to submit health questions to Dr. Harris via theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
