The Thyroid and Your Health

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The Thyroid and Your Health
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Hormones and Your Health

• What Is a Hormone?
• Which Ones Especially Affect Women?
• What Can Go Wrong?
• Thyroid Disease - a Hidden Problem for Women
• Staying Healthy

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What Are Hormones?

• Chemicals That Are Released
• Into the Bloodstream
• Regulators of Specific Body Functions

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The Endocrine System
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Glands (located on each side of the
trachea and near the thyroid)
Adrenal Glands
Pancreas
Ovaries
Testes
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Negative Feedback Loop
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Hormones of Special Interest to Women
Thyroxine (T4) Thyronine (T3)
Estrogen
Progesterone
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Thyroid Disease

• The Hidden Health Problem

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Who do you know with thyroid disease?
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What Does Your Thyroid Gland Do for You?

• Produces Two Hormones Called
• Thyroxine (T4)
• Thyronine (T3)
• Regulates Metabolism so Your Cells Function
  Properly
• Affects Every Cell in the Body

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Thyroid Disease AffectsMany Body Systems and
Overall Health
Thyroid
Brain

• Thyroid Disease Can Have Widespread Effects

• Depression
• Decreased Concentration
• General Lack of Interest

Liver

• Increased LDL Cholesterol
• ElevatedTriglycerides

Heart

• Decreased Heart Rate
• Increased/DecreasedBlood Pressure
• Decreased CardiacOutput

Intestines

• Constipation
• Decreased GI Activity

Reproductive System
Kidneys

• Decreased Function
• Fluid Retention and Edema

• Decreased Fertility
• Menstrual Abnormalities
• May Harm Development of Infant

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Thyroid Hormone AffectsMany Organs and General
Health
Thyroid
Eyes
Lungs
Brain
Heart
Skin
GI Tract
Liver
Kidney
Uterus
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When the Thyroid Doesnt Work
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
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Two Common Types of Thyroid Disease

• Hyperthyroidism

• Hypothyroidism

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When the Thyroid Doesnt Work

• Hyperthyroidism
• Too Much Thyroid Hormone
• Metabolism Speeds Up

• Hypothyroidism
• Too Little Thyroid Hormone
• Metabolism Slows Down

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Hyperthyroidism

• Affects About 1 of the U.S. Population
• or Two Million Americans
• More Common Among Women

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Signs and Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism
Hoarseness orDeepening of Voice
Nervousness
Persistent Sore or Dry Throat
Irritability
Difficulty Sleeping
Difficulty Swallowing
Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat
Bulging Eyes/Unblinking Stare
Infertility
Swelling (Goiter)
Menstrual Irregularities orLight Period
Weight Loss
Heat Intolerance
Increased Sweating
Frequent Bowel Movements
First-Trimester Miscarriage
Warm, Moist Palms
Family History ofThyroid Diseaseor Diabetes
Excessive Vomiting in Pregnancy
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Common Signs and Symptomsof Hyperthyroidism
May Include

• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Bulging Eyes
• Unblinking Stare
• Goiter
• Rapid Heartbeat

• Increased Sweating
• Heat Intolerance
• Unexplained Weight Loss
• Scant Menstrual Periods
• Frequent Bowel Movements
• Warm, Moist Palms
• Fine Tremor of Fingers

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If You Have Hyperthyroidism,Youre in Good
Company
Barbara Bush 1984 Pre-treatment
Barbara Bush 1991 Post-treatment
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HypothyroidismThe Hidden Health Problem
Affects Up to 25 Million Americans But
Approximately 12 Million Are Undiagnosed
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Hypothyroidism AffectsMultiple Body Systems
Female Reproductive System
Central Nervous System
Cardiovascular System
Hypothyroidism Can Cause Serious Harm to Your
Health
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Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Puffy Eyes
Tiredness
Forgetfulness/Slower Thinking
Swelling (Goiter)
Moodiness/ Irritability
Hoarseness/Deepening of Voice
Depression
Persistent Dry or Sore Throat
Inability to Concentrate
Thinning Hair or Hair Loss
Difficulty Swallowing
Loss of Body Hair
Slower Heartbeat
Menstrual Irregularities/Heavy Period
Dry, Patchy Skin
Weight Gain
Infertility
Cold Intolerance
Constipation
Muscle Weakness or Cramps
Elevated Cholesterol
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Common Signs and Symptomsof Hypothyroidism
May Include

• Tiredness
• Loss of Interest and/or Pleasure
• Forgetfulness
• Dry, Coarse Hair
• Loss of Lateral Eyebrow Hair
• Puffy Face and Eyes
• Goiter

• Slow Heartbeat
• Dry Skin
• Cold Intolerance
• Weight Gain
• Heavy Menstrual Periods
• Constipation
• Brittle Nails

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Hypothyroidism The Hidden Disease
Cardiovascular Slow Heartbeat Elevated
Cholesterol
Aging Dry, Scaly Skin Sparse or Coarse
Hair
Gynecological Irregular Menstruation
Infertility
Ear, Nose Throat Hoarse Voice
Gastrointestinal Constipation Weight Gain
Psychiatric Impaired Concentration
Depression Lethargy, Fatigue
Muscular Muscle Weakness Stiffness
Blood Anemia
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How to Rememberthe Signs and Symptoms of
Hypothyroidism

• Sleepiness, Fatigue, Lethargy
• Loss of Memory, Trouble Concentrating
• Unusually Dry, Coarse Skin
• Goiter (Enlarged Thyroid)
• Gradual Personality Change, Depression
• Increase in Weight, Bloating or Puffiness (Edema)
• Sensitivity to Cold
• Hair Loss, Sparseness of Hair

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Spectrum of Thyroid Disease
Severe
Mild
Subclinical
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Diagnosing Hypothyroidism

• Family and personal medical history
• Hypothyroidism may be Hereditary
• Physical exam
• MD Observes the Patient
• Palpates the thyroid
• Interviews patient
• Laboratory Tests
• TSH Test
• Free T4

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Diagnosing Thyroid Disease

• Family and Medical History
• Physical Examination
• Laboratory Tests (TSH Test and Free T4)

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TSH Testing
T3 T4
Sends Telegram
Thyroid
Pituitary
TSH
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Why Test Women Over 40?

• Early Detection
• Early Treatment
• Prevention of
• Organ Damage
• Unpleasant Symptoms
• Other Negative Health Consequences

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Treating Thyroid Disorders
Hyperthyroidism

• Radioiodine Therapy
• Stop Thyroid Hormone Production
• Anti-thyroid Drugs Often Helpful
• Replacement Therapy Often Needed
• Surgery Maybe Necessary
• Monitoring Tailored to Individual Patient Status
  and Needs

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Treating Thyroid Disorders
Hypothyroidism

• Daily Oral Medication to Replace Missing Hormone
• Individualized Dosing Adjustment to Find the
  Right Dose for Each Patient
• Annual Monitoring

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Your Responsibilities

• Tell Your Doctor if You Have Symptoms
• Ask Your Doctor for a TSH Test and Free T4 --
  Make These Tests as Part of Your Medical Routine
  if You Are a Woman Over 35
• Take Your Medication as Directed
• Take Your Thyroid Medication Separately from
• Iron, Calcium and Multivitamins
• Do Not Change Brand or Dose of Your Thyroid
  Medication Without Consulting Your Doctor
• If Symptoms Persist or Return, Tell Your Doctor

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Be Your Physicians Partnerin Your Health Care

• Prepare Any Questions You
• May Have in Advance
• Dont Hesitate to Ask Them
• Observe Good Health Practices
• Eat Right and Exercise
• Bring Your Medications with You
• When You See Your Doctor

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Dont Let Your Thyroid Slow You Down

• Know the Signs and Symptoms
• Tell Your Doctor if You Have Any of Them
• Ask Your Doctor for a TSH Test and Free T4 if You
  Have Them
• Take Your Medications Only as Directed by Your
  Physician
• Dont Skip Your Medicine -- Consistency Is the
  Key to Effective Treatment and Your Thyroid
  Health
• Dont Change Brands or Dose Unless Your Doctor
  Approves the Change and Monitors Your Blood
  Levels
• Take Time to Take Care of Yourself!