The Thyroid –

Understanding The Body’s Master Gland

By Jan Howard

Feeling tired? Gained some weight and you don’t know why? Do you always feel cold when everyone around you is comfortable? You may be displaying signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid.

On the other hand, if you feel nervous and irritable, have problems sleeping, have shaky hands or have lost weight without really trying, you may have hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid.

Thyroid gland failure affects approximately 25 million people in the United States, but 13 million do not know it, according to Gary Sheehan, who spoke on “The Thyroid Gland” during a program October 1 sponsored by the Parish Nurse Ministry of St Rose of Lima. Mr Sheehan is a district manager for Abbot Laboratories and a frequent lecturer on the thyroid gland.

“The thyroid gland is the master gland for the body. It influences every cell and organ and is responsible for your metabolism,” Mr Sheehan said.

 Located in the middle of the neck, below the Adam’s apple, the thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly with each lobe of the thyroid gland lying on either side of the windpipe.

The amount of hormone the thyroid gland makes is regulated by the pituitary gland and a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Two substances, amino acids produced by the thyroid and iodine from diet, are combined and released when needed by the body.

Hyperthyroidism

Mr Sheehan explained that if the thyroid produces too much of the thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism can result. This can be caused by a number of things, including Graves’ Disease, a condition in which the immune system causes the thyroid gland to produce too much hormone. On average, women are five times more likely than men to have this disease. It is most common in women between ages 40 and 50 and is partly genetic.

Some of the possible symptoms include nervousness and irritability; sleep disturbances, such as insomnia; fast, irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath, especially with exercise; heat intolerance and increased sweating; shaky hands; weight loss; increased appetite; thyroid enlargement or goiter; and others.

In diagnosing, a doctor will look for enlargement of the thyroid, examine the thyroid for nodules, measure weight, blood pressure, and pulse, and examine eyes, skin, heart, and nervous system. All are affected by hyperthyroidism.

Treatment may consist of antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, surgery, or beta blockers.

“Radioactive iodine is the treatment of choice in the United States,” Mr Sheehan said. The goal is to reduce the amount of hormone released to resolve signs and symptoms, he noted.

Radioactive iodine enters the thyroid gland and permanently destroys thyroid cells so they can no longer make thyroid hormone. Surgery is the least frequently used treatment, but the body can live without the thyroid gland because the hormone can be easily replaced.

Hypothyroidism

If the thyroid produces too little hormone, the condition is called hypothyroidism. It is five to eight times more common in women than men.

Some symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, weight gain, dry skin, often feeling cold, coarse, dry hair or hair loss, hoarseness, enlarged thyroid gland, decreased concentration, depression, muscle aches, lack of coordination, elevated cholesterol, slowed heartbeat, and low body temperature.

“Five to ten percent of people with high cholesterol have a thyroid problem,” Mr Sheehan said.

He said recent studies show that early thyroid failure can cause an increased risk for heart attacks in postmenopausal women, increased risk for fetal death in pregnant women, and subsequent loss of IQ points in children of hypothyroid mothers.

 “Hypothyroidism is diagnosed with a simple blood test,” Mr Sheehan said. “The American Thyroid Association advises that persons over the age of 35 have a test once every five years and more often if there is a family history of thyroid disease or autoimmune diseases.”

The doctor will also look for enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Because the thyroid produces too little hormone, hypothyroidism is treated by thyroid replacement therapy. A synthetic, or man-made, thyroid hormone, levothyroxine sodium, will be prescribed, but it may take several months to adjust the dosage. Synthroid is one brand name.

“The synthetic hormone has a 42-year history of safety and efficacy,” Mr Sheehan said. It can be used to replace the exact amount the body requires because it is available in many doses. It is also inexpensive, he added.

Mr Sheehan said thyroid disorders should be diagnosed and treated early.

“The thyroid doesn’t heal itself,” he said, and side effects of the synthetic hormone are minimal. “They are not significant.”

After taking the synthetic hormone, “If you still have some symptoms, talk to your doctor,” Mr Sheehan said.

“Don’t switch your thyroid hormone from what you have been taking,” Mr Sheehan noted. “Even the identical dose of another brand may not deliver the identical amount of levothyroxine sodium you have been taking. It is also very important to take the medication every day.”

Thyroid hormones or any other substance that stimulate the thyroid should never be used for weight loss, he said.

Many people fail to tell their doctor about their symptoms, because many of the symptoms are also signs of aging, Mr Sheehan said.

“Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms,” he said. “If it’s thyroid, the hormone will help you feel better.”