Keep an eye on that thyroid

November 23 — On the day before Thanksgiving, let’s talk about the thyroid. 

Nikki Sommer from the Key West Surgical Group joined Good Morning Keys this morning on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM to talk about Medical Matters. 

Today’s discussion is the thyroid.  

The thyroid is a gland that releases hormones that control metabolism. 

Sommer said, “I know a lot of people when they put on weight, especially in my family, we want to blame that thyroid gland because a lot of times more so than not, you have an under-active thyroid.” 

Sometimes the thyroid can produce too much of the hormones and that’s hyper-active. 

Sommer said, “When it’s under-active, you can feel tired and sluggish and gain a lot of weight and when it releases too many hormones it can cause you to feel very jittery, very anxious and actually lose weight without trying. So it kind of controls your metabolism.” 

Metabolism is what turns food into energy and keeps the body at a balance. If the thyroid doesn’t function properly, neither does the metabolism and that’s where you can run into trouble. 

Women are five to eight times more likely to be diagnosed with some kind of thyroid disorder over men. 

Sommer said, “If you have family history of thyroid disease or cancer in the family, that would increase your risk. Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, is the big one.” 

Adrenal insufficiency, Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the thyroid. 

Sommer said, “Women over the age of 60, that’s usually another point in time, like a risk factor. Once you hit 60 you’re more at risk for having some type of thyroid disorder.” 

If you’re predisposed to it, it could surface younger than that. 

Sommer said, “It could surface at birth, at any age. Infants unfortunately can be born, it’s not common, but it can happen. I do know somebody who’s daughter was born with a non-functioning thyroid gland and had to go on medication, just a couple of days old.” 

Thyroid problems are usually diagnosed through bloodwork. 

Sommer said, “Actually sometimes people will feel lumps or they’ll notice their neck enlarging. You can have benign nodules on your thyroid or it enlarges and then they call it a goiter.” 

If a physical exam shows nodules, then an ultrasound will be ordered. 

A person can function without a thyroid gland. 

Sommer said, “I could be removed for a different number of reasons.” 

If a goiter would get so big it pushes into other organs around the neck, the thyroid would be removed. 

Sommer said, “You would then be classified as having hyper thyroidism. So you would be put on some medication to help regulate and keep your metabolism and everything even.” 

The nodules could be fluid fill or solid. 

Sommer said, “Don’t be afraid because the sooner you get it taken care of, the better off you are.” 

Medication will then take the place of the thyroid. 

Sometimes only part of the thyroid would be required to be taken out and a person may not need medication. 

There are medications for by hypo and hyper thyroidism. 

Sommer said, “A lot of times patients can be on them long term, but sometimes patients cannot tolerate them. So if that is the case, they will look at removing part of the thyroid or doing a thyroidectomy.”

Be aware of changes in your body. If you notice weight gain or loss or feel tired or sluggish, get to your doctor. 

Sommer said, “If you do have an enlarged thyroid and you’re on medication and the nodules don’t get smaller and the gland doesn’t get smaller, definitely seek treatment sooner rather than later.” 

For more information, click here: https://www.keywestsurgicalgroup.com/