What is Thyroid Disease?
The thyroid is our "Gland Central". . .its function is critical to
many life functions. Yet thyroid disease affects nearly 13 million Americans!--and
women are affected up to eight times more often than men. The good news about
thyroid disease is that's relatively easy to diagnose and treat successfully.
The bad news about thyroid disease is that nearly half of affected adults remain
undiagnosed despite having fairly typical symptoms. If untreated, thyroid disorders
may cause heart problems, infertility, osteoporosis, and damage to major organs.
According to Dr. Beatrice Olson, a thyroid
expert from Yale University,
"I think the most misunderstood problem with thyroid disease occurs when
there are subtle changes in thyroid hormones, such as sub clinical hyper or
hypothyroidism".
Hypothyroidism in pregnancy may also be a bigger problem than we previously
recognized.
"The most exciting change I see in the last few years in thyroid disease
is the identification of the understanding that women after pregnancy are at
risk of thyroid dysfunction. Two to sixteen percent of women have this problem
and now they can be identified".
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Created: 11/28/2000  - Donnica Moore, M.D.