What You Need to Know About Thyroid Disease

What is the Thyroid and what does it do?

The thyroid gland is a small endocrine gland that sits at the front of your neck beneath the larynx. Endocrine glands are responsible for producing and secreting hormones directly into the blood stream. The thyroid gland produces hormones that play a crucial role in regulating many important functions of the body including metabolism, blood pressure and body temperature.

Who is affected by thyroid disease?

If your thyroid gland is not working properly, the body’s ability to produce hormones is affected which may lead to you can experiencing a wide variety of symptoms that make you feel run down. Thyroid disease can affect anyone - men, women, infants, teenagers and the elderly but women are ten times more likely to be affected. Approximately 1 million Australians may have a thyroid condition and not know it . Which is likely due to the fact thyroid disease can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to other diseases.

What are the types of thyroid disease?

The two most common types of thyroid disease are associated with the amount of hormones the thyroid produces. If the thyroid is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone, it is known as hyperthyroidism. If the thyroid is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormone, it is called hypothyroidism.

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Weight loss
• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Heart palpitations

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Weight gain
• Poor memory
• Depression

More symptoms of thyroid disease can be found here.

Speak with a GP

If you believe you are experiencing these symptoms, or have any concerns about thyroid disease, speak with a GP today. A GP will assess your lifestyle, symptoms, overall health, and refer you for a blood test that measures the level of thyroid hormones present in your bloodstream if necessary.

Thyroid disease is a condition that if left untreated, can cause serious damage and complications. Fortunately, through Our Sage getting help has never been easier. You can connect to a real GP in a matter of minutes; all without having to leave the comfort of your home. Our Sage operates extended hours 7 days a week from 7am – 11pm, making it easier for you to book a consultation with a GP when it's convenient for you.

Source: https://thyroidfoundation.org.au/resources/Documents/ATF%20Media%20Release_Thyroid%20Awareness%20Month%20-%20May%202019.pdf