Thyroid Awareness Month is a January observance dedicated to educating the public about thyroid diseases and the importance of early detection through blood tests and screenings, as millions of people are affected by thyroid disorders. Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) providers see firsthand the importance of preventive care, especially during these health awareness months highlighted throughout the year.
According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), about 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, with up to 60% of them unaware of their condition. One in eight American women get a thyroid condition, and women are five to ten times more likely to develop thyroid disorders than men.
What is a thyroid gland?
The small butterfly shaped gland at the base of the neck has a significant impact on the body. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, temperature control and vital body functions.
When the thyroid is underactive and produces too little hormone, it results in hypothyroidism; when it is overactive and produces too much hormone, the result is hyperthyroidism. Other thyroid diseases include thyroid nodules (lumps), goiters (enlargement), as well as inflammation and thyroid cancer.
Thyroid conditions are often caused by autoimmune responses, which happen when the body’s immune system starts to attack its own cells. Many common thyroid conditions, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (underactive thyroid) and Graves’ disease (overactive thyroid), are autoimmune disorders where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation, damage and hormone imbalance. These conditions, known as Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases (AITD), are the leading causes of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, resulting from genetic factors, environmental triggers and the body producing antibodies against its own thyroid cells.
Each disease has its own set of symptoms, but many people who have thyroid issues experience symptoms including fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, sensitivity to cold or heat, hair thinning and changes in heart rate. Because these symptoms are non-specific, they are often mistaken for stress, aging or lifestyle habits, which is why NAH encourages individuals to establish care with a primary care provider to support whole-body health approaches and coordinated care.
How can primary care be a first line of defense?
Primary care is the first point of contact for most patients, which gives providers the opportunity to identify health concerns early. An established relationship, where a patient’s history and new symptoms are discussed during routine appointments, allows for continuity of care and can lead to early detection of thyroid diseases.
If the provider discovers any symptoms that might indicate a thyroid imbalance, they can order Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels. These tests allow providers to detect many thyroid disorders long before complications emerge. Because each thyroid condition behaves differently, the first phase after diagnosis is understanding exactly what is going on and how it affects the patient’s overall health.
What happens if you are diagnosed with a thyroid disease?
When a thyroid problem is confirmed, primary care providers can create a treatment plan that ensures the condition is managed safely and effectively. In many cases the next step is a referral to a health care specialist who focuses on hormone related conditions, including thyroid disorders, called an endocrinologist. Patients are often referred when the disease is complex or when the doctor believes a specialist’s expertise will help guide treatment. Some mild or straightforward thyroid conditions can be managed by primary care alone, but many people benefit from adding an endocrinologist to their care team for ongoing monitoring. NAH has endocrinology services and providers at both Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood.
Once a specialist is involved, the patient can expect a discussion about treatment options, which might include medication to balance hormone levels or, in specific situations, further imaging or a biopsy. Follow-up visits and regular lab work become an important part of long-term management. This coordinated care approach between primary care and specialty providers can help patients understand their condition and feel supported as they move forward with treatment.
Be your own health advocate
If you are reading this and something resonates, consider reaching out to your primary care provider. Our NAH providers meet so many people who have been feeling “off” for a long time without knowing why. Tell them what you have been experiencing, even if the symptoms feel small or hard to describe. It is especially important for women to discuss symptoms with their provider, since they are significantly more prone to thyroid issues than men. Estrogen and progesterone fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause can make the thyroid gland more sensitive and prone to dysfunction.
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