When Fatigue Is Not Just Fatigue: Know Your Thyroid During Awareness Month

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Affecting 30 million Americans each year, thyroid disease is more common than breast cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. In fact, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, more Americans suffer from thyroid disease than all types of cancers combined. Left untreated, thyroid disease may lead to elevated cholesterol levels and subsequent heart disease, as well as infertility and osteoporosis.

Knowing your thyroid can be the difference between experiencing regular stress or a sign of a larger problem.
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John Haffey

Content Partner: White Plains Hospital

A normally functioning thyroid keeps the body running smoothly. Factors such as disease, damage to the thyroid or certain medicines can impact the thyroid’s ability to produce enough hormone. As a result, many adults may suffer unnecessarily from chronic fatigue, weight gain, depression, sleeplessness, or irritability due to a thyroid that’s under producing or overproducing thyroid hormone

“The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone, which controls virtually every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. If your thyroid is not functioning properly, it can cause the body’s systems to speed up or it can cause body systems to slow down” said Dr. Kay Lovig, an endocrinologist with White Plains Hospital Medical and Wellness in Armonk.

Symptoms of under-active thyroid can include:

Feeling cold
Increased fatigue
Depression
Increased weight gain, inability to regulate weight

When your body produces too much thyroid hormone, your body systems speed up. Symptoms can include:

Racing pulse
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Feeling overheated
Inexplicable weight loss
Anxiety and nervousness

Dr. Stacie Kahan is an expert in the treatment of thyroid cancer. To help with early detection, she advises doing a monthly thyroid check—a self-exam that’s easily performed at home with the aid of a handheld mirror and a glass of water. To do a “neck check,” Dr. Kahan suggests the following steps:

1. First, identify the location of your thyroid. It is located at the lower front area of your neck, above the collarbones and below the voice box.

2. Take a drink of water and tip your head back. Keep your eyes on your thyroid area.

3. As you swallow, look at your neck and note any bulges. Don’t confuse the Adam’s apple with the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located further down on your neck, closer to the collarbone.

4. Repeat the test several times.

5. Consult your doctor if you see anything of concern.

According to Dr. Kahan, “Symptoms of thyroid imbalance often get ignored. With everything going on in our lives, it’s hard to know whether fatigue or weight gain is due to lifestyle or to an underlying thyroid condition.”

An annual check-up that includes a simple TSH blood test can be used to measure thyroid function. The good news is that thyroid disease, once properly detected, can be treated and a range of treatment options are available to help restore hormone levels to their natural balance.