The month of January is proclaimed as National Thyroid Awareness Month. According to the American Thyroid Association, 1 in 10 people suffer from a thyroid disorder. Additionally, at least 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime. Along with this, most thyroid conditions in the United States are underdiagnosed. The thyroid is important because it plays a significant role in the human body. With better awareness, people will know when to talk to their doctors about testing and treatment. Therefore, raising awareness regarding thyroid issues is very important. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that generates chemicals to help regulate the body’s metabolism. The thyroid affects major organs such as the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. Every cell in the human body is impacted by the thyroid. Dysfunction happens when the thyroid is producing either too much or not enough of the thyroid hormone. When the thyroid is not functioning correctly the body’s systems can become unbalanced which can lead to multiple issues. However, when thyroid issues are diagnosed, it is highly likely to lead a healthy, normal life with treatment.
The two most common types of thyroid diseases are called hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excess levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. Additionally, this thyroid disease can increase your body’s metabolism, causing weight loss and an irregular heartbeat. On the other hand, hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone. Hypothyroidism’s deficiency of thyroid hormones can disrupt things such as heart rate, body temperature, and all aspects of metabolism. A few symptoms of thyroid conditions include depression or mood changes, eye problems, fatigue, memory issues, trouble sleeping, and unexplained weight loss or weight gain. It is critical to see a health professional if someone is experiencing these symptoms.
To learn more about, please visit the National Thyroid Awareness Month.
Additionally, you can visit the American Thyroid Association, to discover more about thyroid conditions.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.
