Learn more about your thyroid health in Thyroid Awareness Month

The thyroid may be a small gland, but it plays a huge part in keeping us healthy, contributing to various bodily processes.

If your thyroid is healthy, chances are you don’t take much notice of it day to day. But if it develops issues, you may experience some very noticeable symptoms.

Learn more about thyroid and health and wellbeing in Thyroid Awareness Month. We explain the role of this important gland and how you can take care of your thyroid health this May.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck below the Adam’s apple. It secretes a number of different hormones that stimulate various processes in your body. For example, the thyroid gland triggers the hormones that work to convert oxygen and calories into energy in a process known as metabolism.

Other hormones produced by the thyroid play a part in growth, heart rate and your body’s calcium levels.

The thyroid gland works in conjunction with the pituitary gland, a small gland located in the brain. The pituitary gland produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which triggers the production of two of the hormones that originate in the thyroid gland.

The thyroid also needs adequate levels of the element iodine, which you can get from your diet, to produce hormones successfully.

Issues affecting the thyroid

Some people develop problems relating to their thyroid, which means they may experience symptoms relating to their metabolism or other issues.

The two most common thyroid-related problems are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid produces too many hormones. This can mean your metabolism increases and you lose weight. Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include an increased heart rate, fatigue and insomnia.

If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough hormones. As a result, your metabolism may slow down and you gain weight. You may also notice hair loss, constipation and irregular menstrual periods.

There are other, rarer conditions that involve the thyroids too. These include:

• Thyroid cancer, where cancer cells originate in the thyroid gland. Symptoms are not common in the early stages, but in more advanced stages of the disease, patients may notice a lump in the neck, a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing
• Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease that results in hypothyroidism. It’s more common in women than men and is more usually diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50
• Graves disease, an immune system disease that results in hyperthyroidism. Again, it’s more common in women and tends to affect those under the age of 40
• Goitre, a swelling in the neck area, which can result from an enlarged thyroid. It can be a symptom of Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease

How can I take care of my thyroid health?

You can take care of your thyroid health firstly by being aware of the signs and symptoms of thyroid disease, which we’ve detailed above.

If you notice concerning symptoms, go and see your doctor to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.

It also helps to be aware of your family medical history. If you have Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease in your family, then you may be more at risk of developing them yourself. You can discuss tests for these conditions with your doctor.

It’s especially important to be thyroid aware if you are planning a pregnancy. Good levels of thyroid hormones are important for the development of your baby and for your health during pregnancy. Make sure that you get enough iodine in your diet from foods like:

• Seaweed
• Cod
• Greek yogurt
• Eggs
• Bread with iodine added

And if you have been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, then why not wear a medical ID that displays this information? It can mean that you get the right treatment in the event of an emergency if you’re not able to communicate it yourself.

Choose a silicone medical alert for comfort and casual style or a stainless steel medic alert for a classic look.

We also stock write-on medic alert bracelets in the Mediband collection, so you can add any information relating to your thyroid condition and medication.

Be thyroid aware this May

To find out more about thyroid health this May, visit the Australian Thyroid Foundation website, where you’ll find lots of information on thyroid disorders and their treatment.

And if you are affected by thyroid issues, why not take a look at our online collection of med alerts and IDs? Wearing one with information about your medical diagnosis and treatment can help you feel more confident about managing your condition, especially if you are newly diagnosed.

Know that we offer great customer service and swift delivery in Australia too, so ordering your customised thyroid awareness bracelet is a breeze!