Do you feel weak and tired even with the slightest movement? Having difficulty to lose weight and even gaining more unexplained pounds? Maybe a rough and pale skin accompanied by dry and coarse hair? All of these are just some of the symptoms of an imminent thyroid problem.
In time for the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) 2017, leading science and healthcare innovation company Merck, the leading science and technology company that works to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life, joined forces with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Thyroid Association (PTA), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM), and the Iodine Global Network (IGN), to raise consciousness against thyroid disorders.
In time for the International Thyroid Awareness Week (ITAW) 2017, leading science and healthcare innovation company Merck, the leading science and technology company that works to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life, joined forces with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Thyroid Association (PTA), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM), and the Iodine Global Network (IGN), to raise consciousness against thyroid disorders.
Thyroid familiarization
Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is situated in at the lower front of the neck. It acts a key role in your overall health and well-being by producing thyroid hormones that help your body use energy, stay warm, and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs in tip-top condition.
In the Philippines, one in every 11 adults suffers from goiter or other thyroid disorders. Worldwide scene is no different as Thyroid disorders are some of the most common diseases.
Women are more prone to Thyroid problems. Figures show that women are four to seven times more likely to have thyroid disorders than men. They are also at risk of hypothyroidism by 10 times. Moreover, women who recently gave birth and those who are in the menopausal stage are more vulnerable.
Most sufferers are usually left undetected and misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, more often than not, people usually attribute symptoms to merely having poor lifestyle choices. This is why the theme of this year’s ITAW is: “It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid”.
It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid
Since its primary role is to control the metabolism, disorders may occur when there’s little (hypothyroidism) or overproduction (hyperthyroidism) of thyroid hormones.
Patients with hypothyroidism, or too little thyroid hormone, tend to have slower metabolism: they gain weight despite not eating much, move and speak slowly, feel tired and have depressed thoughts, cannot tolerate cold, and have irregular menstrual periods.
Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is situated in at the lower front of the neck. It acts a key role in your overall health and well-being by producing thyroid hormones that help your body use energy, stay warm, and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs in tip-top condition.
In the Philippines, one in every 11 adults suffers from goiter or other thyroid disorders. Worldwide scene is no different as Thyroid disorders are some of the most common diseases.
Women are more prone to Thyroid problems. Figures show that women are four to seven times more likely to have thyroid disorders than men. They are also at risk of hypothyroidism by 10 times. Moreover, women who recently gave birth and those who are in the menopausal stage are more vulnerable.
Most sufferers are usually left undetected and misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, more often than not, people usually attribute symptoms to merely having poor lifestyle choices. This is why the theme of this year’s ITAW is: “It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid”.
It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid
Since its primary role is to control the metabolism, disorders may occur when there’s little (hypothyroidism) or overproduction (hyperthyroidism) of thyroid hormones.
Patients with hypothyroidism, or too little thyroid hormone, tend to have slower metabolism: they gain weight despite not eating much, move and speak slowly, feel tired and have depressed thoughts, cannot tolerate cold, and have irregular menstrual periods.
On the other hand, patients with hyperthyroidism, or too much thyroid hormone, will have hyperactive metabolism: they lose weight despite having good appetite, have heart palpitations, irritable thoughts and insomnia, have sweating and heat intolerance, and can have tremors in their hands.
The diagnosis of thyroid disorders can easily be made by checking the levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in the blood. Treatment brings the level of thyroid hormones back in balance, restoring normal metabolism to the body.
For more information, visit www.thyroidaware.com or follow “Unmasking Your Thyroid” on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thyroidph).
For more information, visit www.thyroidaware.com or follow “Unmasking Your Thyroid” on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thyroidph).
RSS Feed
