Transcript The Thyroid and Your Health

The Thyroid and Your Health
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Hormones and Your Health
• What Is a Hormone?
• Which Ones Especially Affect Women?
• What Can Go Wrong?
• Thyroid Disease - a “Hidden” Problem for Women
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2
What are Hormones
• Chemicals that are released into the bloodstream
• Regulators of specific body functions
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3
The Endocrine System
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid
Glands
(located on each side of
the trachea and near the
thyroid)
Adrenal Glands
Ovaries
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Pancreas
Testes
Negative Feedback Loop
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Hormones of Special Interest to Women
Thyroxine (T4)
Thyronine (T3)
Estrogen
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Progesterone
Thyroid Disease
The “Hidden” Health Problem
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Who do you know with Thyroid Disease?
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What Does Your Thyroid Gland Do for You?
• Produces two hormones called
• Thyroxine (T4)
• Thyronine (T3)
• Regulates metabolism so your cells function properly
• Affects every cell in the body
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Thyroid Disease Affects
Many Body Systems and Overall Health
Thyroid
• Thyroid Disease Can
Have Widespread Effects
Liver
• Increased LDL
Cholesterol
• Elevated
Triglycerides
Intestines
• Constipation
• Decreased GI
Activity
Reproductive System
• Decreased Fertility
• Menstrual Abnormalities
• May Harm Development of Infant
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Brain
• Depression
• Decreased Concentration
• General Lack of Interest
Heart
• Decreased Heart Rate
• Increased/Decreased
Blood Pressure
• Decreased Cardiac
Output
Kidneys
• Decreased Function
• Fluid Retention and
Edema
Thyroid Hormone Affects
Many Organs and General Health
Eyes
Thyroid
Lungs
Brain
Heart
Skin
GI Tract
Liver
Kidney
Uterus
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When the Thyroid Doesn’t Work
Hyperthyroidism
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Hypothyroidism
Two Common Types of Thyroid Disease
•
Hyperthyroidism
•
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Hypothyroidism
When the Thyroid Doesn’t Work
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
• Too Much Thyroid Hormone
• Too Little Thyroid Hormone
• Metabolism Speeds Up
• Metabolism Slows Down
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Hyperthyroidism
• Affects About 1% of the U.S. Population or Two Million
Americans
• More Common Among Women
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Signs and Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Nervousness
Irritability
Difficulty Sleeping
Bulging Eyes/Unblinking Stare
Swelling (Goiter)
Menstrual Irregularities or
Light Period
Frequent Bowel Movements
Hoarseness or
Deepening of Voice
Persistent
Sore or Dry Throat
Difficulty Swallowing
Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat
Infertility
Weight Loss
Heat Intolerance
Increased Sweating
First-Trimester Miscarriage
Warm, Moist Palms
Excessive Vomiting in Pregnancy
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Family History of
Thyroid Disease
or Diabetes
Common Signs and Symptoms
of Hyperthyroidism
• Nervousness
• Increased Sweating
• Irritability
• Heat Intolerance
• Difficulty Sleeping
• Unexplained Weight Loss
• Bulging Eyes
• Scant Menstrual Periods
• Unblinking Stare
• Frequent Bowel Movements
• Goiter
• Warm, Moist Palms
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Fine Tremor of Fingers
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If You Have Hyperthyroidism,
You’re in Good Company
Barbara Bush
1984
Pre-treatment
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Barbara Bush
1991
Post-treatment
Hypothyroidism: The Hidden Health Problem
Affects Up to 25 Million Americans
But
Approximately 12 Million Are Undiagnosed
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Hypothyroidism Affects Multiple Body Systems
Cardiovascular
System
Central Nervous
System
Female
Reproductive
System
Hypothyroidism Can Cause Serious Harm to Your Health
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Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Tiredness
Forgetfulness/Slower Thinking
Moodiness/ Irritability
Puffy Eyes
Swelling (Goiter)
Hoarseness/
Deepening of Voice
Depression
Persistent Dry or Sore Throat
Inability to Concentrate
Difficulty Swallowing
Thinning Hair or Hair Loss
Loss of Body Hair
Dry, Patchy Skin
Slower Heartbeat
Menstrual Irregularities/
Heavy Period
Weight Gain
Infertility
Cold Intolerance
Constipation
Elevated Cholesterol
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Muscle Weakness or Cramps
Common Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
• Tiredness
• Slow Heartbeat
• Loss of Interest and/or Pleasure
• Dry Skin
• Forgetfulness
• Cold Intolerance
• Dry, Coarse Hair
• Weight Gain
• Loss of Lateral Eyebrow Hair
• Heavy Menstrual
Periods
• Puffy Face and Eyes
• Goiter
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• Constipation
• Brittle Nails
Hypothyroidism: The “Hidden” Disease
Cardiovascular:
Slow Heartbeat
Elevated Cholesterol
Aging:
Dry, Scaly Skin
Sparse or Coarse Hair
Gastrointestinal:
Constipation
Weight Gain
Gynecological:
Irregular Menstruation
Infertility
Muscular:
Muscle Weakness
Stiffness
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Blood:
Anemia
Ear, Nose & Throat:
Hoarse Voice
Psychiatric:
Impaired Concentration
Depression
Lethargy, Fatigue
How to Remember
the Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
• Sleepiness, Fatigue, Lethargy
• Loss of Memory, Trouble Concentrating
• Unusually Dry, Coarse Skin
• Goiter (Enlarged Thyroid)
• Gradual Personality Change, Depression
• Increase in Weight, Bloating or Puffiness (Edema)
• Sensitivity to Cold
• Hair Loss, Sparseness of Hair
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Spectrum of Thyroid Disease
Severe
Mild
Subclinical
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Diagnosing Hypothyroidism
• Family and personal medical history
•
Hypothyroidism may be Hereditary
• Physical exam
•
•
•
MD Observes the Patient
Palpates the thyroid
Interviews patient
• Laboratory Tests
•
•
TSH Test
Free T4
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Diagnosing Thyroid Disease
•
Family and Medical History
•
Physical Examination
•
Laboratory Tests (TSH Test and Free T4)
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TSH Testing
T3 & T4
“Sends Telegram”
Pituitary
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TSH
Thyroid
Why Test Women Over 40?
• Early Detection
• Early Treatment
• Prevention of
•
Organ Damage
•
Unpleasant Symptoms
•
Other Negative Health Consequences
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Treating Thyroid Disorders
Hyperthyroidism
• Radioiodine Therapy
• Stop Thyroid Hormone Production
• Anti-thyroid drugs often helpful
• Replacement therapy often needed
• Surgery maybe necessary
• Monitoring tailored to individual patient status and needs
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Treating Thyroid Disorders
Hypothyroidism
• Daily oral medication to replace missing hormone
• Individualized dosing adjustment to find the right dose for
each patient
• Annual monitoring
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Your Responsibilities
• Tell your doctor if you have symptoms
• Ask your doctor for a TSH test and free T4 -- make these
tests as part of your medical routine if you are a woman
over 35
• Take your medication as directed
•
Take your thyroid medication separately from iron, calcium and
multivitamins
• Do not change brand or dose of your thyroid medication
without consulting your doctor
• If symptoms persist or return, tell your doctor
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Be Your Physician’s Partner in Your Health Care
• Prepare any questions you may have in advance
• Don’t hesitate to ask them
• Observe good health practices
– Eat right and exercise
• Bring your medications with you when you see your doctor
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Don’t Let Your Thyroid Slow You Down
• Know the signs and symptoms
– Tell your doctor if you have any of them
– Ask your doctor for a tsh test and free t4 if you have them
• Take your medications only as directed by your physician
• Don’t skip your medicine
– consistency is the key to effective treatment and your thyroid health
• Don’t change brands or dose unless your doctor approves the
change and monitors your blood levels
• Take time to take care of yourself!
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