January is a month of many health awareness campaigns- one of which is Thyroid Awareness. The thyroid gland is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck and produces many hormones- T3, and T4 and is influenced by the TSH produced by the pituitary gland. This endocrine system is normally very well maintained but any issues can cause major disruptions to your daily routine. Thyroid issues are normally caused when there is too much or too little of the hormones being made. This can negatively impact bodily functions or cause other issues of excesses.
Importance Of Celebrating Thyroid Awareness Month
The thyroid gland is also responsible for helping your body utilize and break down glucose in the right way. This is why someone having thyroid issues is also at high risk of developing insulin insensitivity. It also plays an important role in metabolism as a whole process. Everyone needs to know the early signs and symptoms associated with thyroid gland issues- some of which include insulin sensitivity, weight loss or weight gain, regulate moods, fatigue, changes in sleep schedules and heart rate, mental health issues, infertility, changes in skin and hair texture, severe hair fall, heavier than usual periods in women, sweaty skin, etc. among other factors. The different possible conditions that can affect the thyroid gland include;
● Hypothyroidism - when too little of the hormones are being made
● Hyperthyroidism - excessive production of hormones
● Autoimmune disease- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
● Grave’s Disease - an autoimmune disease with hyperthyroidism as a side effect
● Postpartum or pregnancy-related thyroid issues
● Thyroid cancers
More women get diagnosed with thyroid issues compared to men, but it doesn’t mean that men don’t get affected. Having an iodine deficiency can exacerbate some symptoms.
Theme This Year-
World Thyroid Day was first celebrated in 2008 and WHO, UNICEF, and other global organizations decided to increase the scope of this event and make it a month-long health awareness celebration very recently. The theme for this year is encouraging an individual to be a ‘Holistic Intellectual’ - where a person is first expected to know the signs and symptoms and also get screened annually.
The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is a premier organization that celebrated its centennial in 2023. They have held meetings every year, since 1923 and worked hard to organize funding for research into thyroid issues. The principle behind early detection is pretty simple- treatment is easier and you will feel better soon.
Thyroid Disorders In India-
Many flagship initiatives are still ongoing and they all come under the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP). Newborn screening is a priority for children in many states- so that thyroid disorders can be diagnosed as early as possible. Pregnant women are also expected to get screened as thyroid issues can cause complications leading to miscarriages- which can take a toll on the woman, both physically and mentally. This comes under the National Guidelines For Screening of Hypothyroidism during Pregnancy. Children are also taken care of under the ‘Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram’. The government has mandated that iodized salt be sold in all inland states, though some states still report high levels of thyroid issues.
Conclusion
Thyroid Awareness Month is a great initiative to get the general public to understand how thyroid-related hormonal issues can cause a wide variety of symptoms. This is because these hormones have a widespread influence on various bodily functions. Hormone replacement therapy is normally suggested as a treatment approach and this has helped millions achieve a sense of normalcy in their daily routines. Over 40 million Indians suffer from thyroid related issues, while almost 11% of the population deals with hypothyroidism in varying degrees. The government is working tirelessly to educate people and get them to take better care of themselves.
FAQs-
1) What is hyperthyroidism?
An overactive thyroid gland can cause issues like rapid heartbeat, excessive weight loss, mood swings, insomnia, and anxiety in most people, due to high amounts of the hormones being made.
2) What is hypothyroidism?
Thyroid hormone levels need to be within a specific range for someone to be normal but when the values are too low, you can show symptoms like weight gain, mood swings, sleep issues, and always feeling cold and dryness of the skin.
3) Can thyroid issues be cured?
They can be managed with hormone replacement therapy, surgery, or by making sustainable lifestyle-related changes.
4) Why should we get regular thyroid function tests?
Since the thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism, any issues with the gland can cause long-term problems for you. Getting tested regularly can ensure that you catch symptoms quickly and do NOT lose out on the chance for better treatment options.
5) How can pregnant women be affected by thyroid issues?
Untreated thyroid gland issues can cause complications for pregnant women- like miscarriage or premature birth, among other issues.