January is Thyroid Awareness Month, and it’s a worthwhile cause because roughly 200 million people worldwide are affected by thyroid disease at some point in their life. Thyroid awareness is key because many people are unaware that they have a problem with their thyroid, as current estimates suggest that of the 20 million Americans living with a thyroid condition, roughly 60 percent are unaware of their problem. Today, we share some information about thyroid disease, and we explain how you can conduct a self-assessment of your thyroid gland.
Thyroid Disease Facts
As we noted above, about 20 million Americans are dealing with a diagnosed or undiagnosed thyroid problem. The issue is much more likely to affect women, as statistics suggest that women are about five to eight times more likely than men to develop a thyroid problem. Left untreated, thyroid conditions can lead to exhaustion, joint problems, muscle aches, weight gain or sudden weight loss, dry skin, hair loss and mental health issues.
Aside from problems caused by hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer is also becoming a bigger issue in today’s world. The number of new cases of thyroid cancer is growing most rapidly among all cancers in both women and men, and while that’s concerning, it also suggests that we’re getting better at identifying thyroid cancer and starting treatment. Among all cancers, thyroid cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women.
Perform a Self Assessment Of Your Thyroid Gland
Here’s how you can perform a self check of your thyroid gland to look for any signs of trouble.
- Position yourself in front of a mirror that allows you to see your neck region. You’ll be focusing on the area of your neck above your collarbone but below your Adam’s apple.
- Tip your head back and look for any protrusions or bumps. If you don’t see anything, move on to the water test. As the name implies, you’ll need a glass of water for this.
- With your head tilted back, take a drink of water and swallow. Keep a close eye on your throat as you swallow, again looking for any bulges or protrusions. Repeat this process a couple of times.
- If you notice a bulge or an odd looking bump in the area, you’ll want to schedule a consultation with a thyroid specialist. They’ll be able to determine if you’re dealing with an easily manageable condition like a goiter, or if it’s something that requires more attention.
For more information on symptoms of a thyroid problem, or to set up an appointment with a thyroid doctor, contact Dr. Koeplin today.
