As we get older, it becomes even more important that we take a proactive approach to our health. We need to be getting regular exercise and following a healthy diet, but we also need to consider certain screening exams to catch potential problems in their infancy. You’ve probably heard of mammograms and prostate exams, but you may not be familiar with a thyroid screening. We explore who should get screened and why the screenings are beneficial in today’s blog.
Who Should Be Screened For Thyroid Disorders
You may be surprised to learn that women are at a much greater risk for developing a thyroid disorder than men. According to the data, women are anywhere from 2 to 10 times more likely to develop a thyroid disorder than men, so it’s no surprise that women should consider getting screened. Other individuals who would benefit from a thyroid disorder screening at their neck check up include:
- Adults over the age of 60.
- Pregnant women or women who have delivered a baby in the last six month.
- Individuals with a family history of thyroid disease.
- Individuals who have been treated for a thyroid disorder in the past.
- People who have undergone neck surgery or radiation therapy.
- People with a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- If you’ve experienced voice changes, hoarseness, chronic acid reflux or have a visible bump on your neck.
The Benefits Of Thyroid Disorder Screening
Health screenings serve many purposes, but thyroid screenings have two very important roles. A thyroid screen:
- Leads To Early Detection – The biggest benefit of any type of screening is that in the event that a problem is discovered, it is detected in its infancy, or at least before it progressed to the point where symptoms led to you seeking medication attention. The earlier a problem is caught, the higher the likelihood a person will experience better treatment results, and this is especially true with an issue like thyroid cancer.
- Peace of Mind For Those Without Issues – It’s easy to ignore symptoms and pretend that there’s no issue, but in the back of your mind you are probably a little worried about your health. Another benefit of a thyroid screening exam is that they can provide you with peace of mind knowing that you don’t have an issue with your thyroid, and you’ll likely get advice on how to keep the gland functioning correctly.
As you can see, getting a screening exam is a win-win situation. Either a problem is caught and treated sooner than it would be without the screen, or you get reassurance knowing that your thyroid is working as it should. So if you have any of the above risk factors, or you simply want to have your thyroid examined by a professional, consider picking up the phone and getting in contact with Dr. Koeplin’s office today.
