Thyroid awareness month seeks to raise awareness regarding these diseases, their causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
The thyroid gland, a small butter-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, plays a major role in the development of the human body. It is responsible for hormones that control functions like metabolism and growth.
Thyroid gland secretes thyroxine, triiodothyronine and calcitonin, which affect the metabolism and growth of the human body. The overproduction or underproduction of these hormones – commonly T3 and T4 – causes diseases. The common diseases of the thyroid gland are hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis and thyroid cancer. Thyroid disorders are more common in women in various stages of life due to the link of the female hormone, estrogen, with thyroxin.
Thyroid disorders are often caused by autoimmune responses, but it is probably related to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, There is also a relationship between thyroid hormones and the hormones that fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. Thyroid problems can be managed with proper care and medication. Common symptoms of thyroid disorders include experiencing anxiety, irritability, nervousness, having trouble sleeping, muscle weakness, losing weight, having an enlarged thyroid gland and more.