Be in the Know This Year: Thyroid Awareness Month
The University of Kentucky Public Relations & Strategic Communications Office provides a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week's column is by Dr. William B. Inabnet III, endocrine surgeon and chair of the UK Department of Surgery.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2020) — January is Thyroid Awareness Month, but for most of us, the thyroid isn’t something we think about. It’s a small, butterfly-shaped gland located on the lower part of the neck, but it plays a big role in how the body functions. The thyroid produces the thyroid hormone that helps the body regulate its temperature, energy level and keeps the brain, heart and other organs working as they should. When the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, the repercussions can affect the whole body.
The term “goiter” refers to any abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. There are several causes of goiter formation. One is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a condition in which the thyroid is attacked by the body’s own immune system. As a result, the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to hypothyroidism. A person with an underactive thyroid will experience symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain and hair loss.
Another common condition that causes goiter is Graves’ disease. Unlike Hashimoto’s, Graves’ causes an overactive thyroid gland; too much thyroid hormone in the blood can lead to hyperthyroidism. Symptoms can include anxiety or nervousness, difficulty sleeping, excessive sweating and weight loss.
Nodules on the thyroid are another common cause of goiters. In this condition, one or more nodules can form within the gland, causing it to increase in size. A multinodular goiter may not cause any symptoms, but if it grows large enough, it can be felt under the skin in a physical examination.
Aside from the symptoms of an over or underactive thyroid, goiters themselves are usually painless. But a particularly large thyroid can lead to other issues such as:
- Difficulty swallowing
- An uncomfortable tightness or fullness in the throat
- Hoarseness or a constant tickle in the throat
- Prolonged coughing or difficulty breathing
- A visible lump near the base of the neck
A simple blood test can determine whether your thyroid is under or overactive. If the blood test determines you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, your doctor may prescribe medication to help regulate the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood. For the treatment of Graves’ disease, your doctor may prescribe radioactive iodine that can shrink the size of the goiter. For Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the medication prescribed won’t reduce the goiter’s size, but it can prevent it from growing any larger.
If the size of the goiter does not respond to medication, or it has grown too large that it obstructs breathing, your doctor may recommend that your thyroid be removed in a procedure called a thyroidectomy. Without the thyroid gland, you’ll have to take a thyroid hormone supplement for the rest of your life.
If you suspect you have an enlarged thyroid, or are experiencing the symptoms of hypo or hyperthyroidism, talk to your doctor about the next steps.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.