Thyroid problems, when undiagnosed and untreated, can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including weight gain or inability to lose weight, depression, anxiety, fatigue and infertility.

Because symptoms can sometimes be broad, thyroid disease is often misdiagnosed as a mental-health issue, and symptoms can be seen as attributed to other factors such as lifestyle, lack of sleep, overeating or stress.

Thyroid problems are mostly genetic, and thyroid problems do run in the family. They are more common in young women but can happen at any age including in the elderly, depending on the specific type of thyroid problem. Iodine deficiency, exposure to goitrogens (foods or other substances that can cause goiter) and other environmental factors may also play a part.

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. when the thyroid is its normal size, you can’t feel it. This gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones. it does this by producing thyroid hormones called T4 and T3. These hormones act throughout the body to influence metabolism, growth and development as well as body temperature.

During infancy and childhood, adequate thyroid hormone is crucial for brain development. Thyroid health also is especially important especially for women of childbearing age, as this affects fetal development and pregnancy outcome.

When the thyroid works normally, it produces and secretes the amount of T4 and T3 hormones necessary to keep things moving at their proper pace.

The most common problems of the thyroid consist of an overactive thyroid gland, known as hyperthyroidism, and an underactive thyroid gland, known as hypothyroidism. Of the two, hypothyroidism is more common.

In the United States, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in which your own body makes antibodies that attack the thyroid cells. it cannot be prevented but is easily treated with replacement thyroid hormone pills. Iodine deficiency as a cause for hypothyroidism is more common outside the United States; it can be prevented by adequate intake of iodine in the diet.

This is why the U.S. government puts iodine in salt and other food products.

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include anxiety, insomnia, rapid weight loss, diarrhea, high heart rate, high blood pressure, eye sensitivity or bulging, and vision disturbances. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include feeling cold all the time, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, difficulty concentrating, fluid retention, depression, body pain and slow reflexes.

While there is no consensus from either the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force or the Endocrine Society on whether to check for thyroid issues during annual or regular physical exams, if a patient suspects thyroid dysfunction based on any of the symptoms discussed, it can be diagnosed by simple blood tests.

Zinnia T. San Juan, M.D., is an assistant professor and a specialist in endocrinology with the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine.

LOVELAND — after her husband got thyroid cancer, Loveland resident Evi Buckner-Opler figured she couldn’t go wrong by attending a free clinic Saturday at the physician’s office where he got treatment.

“I thought I better have my neck checked to see if there was anything,” Buckner-Opler said just after Dr. Sarvjit Gill, an otolaryngologist at Alpine Ear, Nose and Throat P.C., gave her a head and neck cancer screening.

Buckner-Opler and most of the 100 other people who attended the 14th annual Northern Colorado Head and Neck Cancer Screening got a clean bill of health.

“Every year, we put fears to rest,” said Gill, who joined Alpine 14 years ago – two years after it opened. “Every year, we find one to three malignant conditions that can be life-threatening.”

More than a dozen physicians, as well as many other medical professionals and their friends and family members, gave up either the morning or afternoon to help serve the community at the Loveland office, 3820 N. Grant Ave.

The medical professionals came from Northern Colorado and Wyoming and included family practice physicians, physician assistants and nurses.

“You find a lot of people who are underinsured or who are worried about lingering problems,” said Dr. Chris Eriksen, an otolaryngologist and founder of Alpine, which has offices in Loveland and Fort Collins. “I look for head and neck cancer all the rest of the year. This is a little more different and fun.”

Eriksen likes that during the clinic, he and the other volunteers are not required to fill out electronic medical records, he said.

“The paperwork’s less. There’s no insurance woes,” he said.

Typically, 300 people turn out to the event. the word got out late this year, resulting in a lower turnout, Gill said.

Each year, Gill and the medical volunteers usually find 12 to 15 people with suspicious symptoms and refer them back to their family physicians or a community clinic with a form describing their conditions. They conduct a thorough history and examination of any potential signs of head and neck cancer.

Risk factors include excessive alcohol or tobacco use, and symptoms include a lump in the neck, a change in the voice, a sore in the mouth, a persistent cough, difficulty swallowing and earache or pain when swallowing.

The patients, as well as the volunteers, benefit, Gill said. the family physicians, for instance, learn how to do more in-depth head and neck evaluations, such as assessing the nasal passageway, throat and using a flexible scope to examine the vocal cords.

“The physicians also get a sense of satisfaction. They’re helping the community,” Gill said. “It’s nice to be able to do something and not have to worry about anything other than patient care.”

Darla Woodman, a registered nurse who works in the operating room at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, typically works with patients after they have been diagnosed with a condition.

“It’s nice to see that they don’t have cancer. They get a clean bill of health versus the patients we see,” Woodman said.

Shelley Widhalm can be reached at 669-5050, ext. 531, or swidhalm@reporter-herald.com.

PRESS RELEASE for immediate release: 3 November 2011 Menopausal symptoms you may not recognise most women know that the menopause can cause hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. But there are many other symptoms that are also linked to hormonal changes at this time of life but tend to be overlooked. in the 50th issue (Autumn 2011) of the Menopause Exchange newsletter, consultant gynaecologist Dr Claudine Domoney discusses menopausal symptoms that are commonly misdiagnosed and possible ways to manage them. she covers periods and associated symptoms, thyroid trouble, aches and pains, bowel, bladder and vaginal symptoms and mood and emotions. “The menopause causes a wide range of symptoms, and every woman’s experience is unique,” says Norma Goldman, founder and director of the Menopause Exchange. “The fact that the symptoms are associated with hormonal changes may not always be clear at first. However, menopausal women shouldn’t assume that all of their symptoms are due to the menopause and must speak to their GP to establish the cause of any new symptoms.” the Menopause Exchange is completely independent – it’s not sponsored by any companies and is funded purely by subscriptions from individuals and healthcare professionals. Other articles in the Autumn 2011 issue include oestrogen-only and ‘bleed’ HRT, weight gain at the menopause and the menopause at work. To celebrate the 50th issue of the Menopause Exchange newsletter, we have a special offer for new members. become a member of the Menopause Exchange before the end of January 2012 to receive our special offer. this includes one free back issue of the Menopause Exchange newsletter and two free fact sheets in addition to the usual membership entitlements. (Members of the Menopause Exchange receive four issues of the newsletter, regular fact sheets, use of the information service and access to the ‘Ask the Experts’ panel). Annual individual membership to the Menopause Exchange is £18. Visit the Menopause Exchange website at menopause-exchange.co.uk. for more information on the Menopause Exchange, write to the Menopause Exchange at PO Box 205, Bushey, Herts WD23 1ZS, call 020 8420 7245, fax 020 8954 2783 or send an e-mail to norma@menopause-exchange.co.uk end NOTES FOR EDITORS: 1. The Menopause Exchange was launched in June 1999. 2. The founder and director of the Menopause Exchange is Norma Goldman, a pharmacist with a Master’s degree in health promotion. she gives talks on the menopause to employees in the workplace and hospitals, women and women’s groups, healthcare professionals, GP practices, organisations, health clubs and at exhibitions. her daughter, Victoria, the editor of the newsletter, is an experienced health journalist with a BSc. degree in Biomedical Science and a Master’s degree in Science Communication. 3. The aim of the Menopause Exchange is to raise the awareness of the menopause among women, healthcare professionals (e.g. nurses and pharmacists) and complementary practitioners. 4. Topics covered in previous issues of the newsletter include: the perimenopause; HRT questions you forgot to ask your doctor; easing flushes and sweats without HRT; treating vaginal dryness; sleeping better at the menopause; phytoestrogen and herb safety; menopause relief through your pharmacy; essential fatty acids; screening for women over 50 and premature menopause. 5. UK annual membership (4 issues of the newsletter, regular fact sheets, use of the information service and ‘Ask the Experts’ panel) costs £18 for individuals; £22 for local organisations; £40 for companies/national organisations; corporate (over 10 copies) and overseas memberships are available on request. 6. All press enquiries to Norma Goldman on 020 8420 7245.

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 15 years. For the past couple of years I have had almost every symptom on the list for hypothyroidism. My rheumatologist has done bloodwork (complete thyroid panel) but it is always "normal". He is not concerned and attributes my symptoms to my rheumatoid arthritis. I want to have further tests. has anyone had a similar experience? I have read that blood tests are not always accurate for detecting thyroid conditions.

You do not have hypothyroidism. It's a pretty clear test without the need for much interpretation and if it's been done more than once the chance that all the tests were wrong isn't likely.

I have some symptoms but tell about the symptoms of coronary artery disease my symptoms
chest pain,heart beat increase upto to 120,nervous weakness,laziness in every work,dizziness some times,trembling of hands.but i also go to doctor and he take ecg and scan of my heart and they take a thyroid test also.my ecg report is abnormal and my scan and thyroid report is normal then he said don't worry you are ok but my heart beat still increase sometimes so plz help me.

I know some like you can develop osteoporosis, and you can loose your period.

But what are all of them?

There are countless mental and health problems associated with anorexia.
Hair loss or brittleness/drying of the hair, brittle nails, dry skin. This is due to lack of essential vitamins and minerals. Solution- take a multiple vitamin every day (a calorie-free way to put some good stuff in to your system) and apply shea butter to face and skin once a day.
Weakened thyroid. This will cause extreme fatigue. Solution- take thyroid pills.
Poor blood circulation. This will result in feeling cold all the time and/or discolored skin, particularly in the feet (they may turn blue or purple).
Weakened vision and potential blindness, due to lack of essential vitamins and minerals. Solution- eat a lot of carrots. They are a negative calorie and contain Beta Carotene which improves vision.
Lowered metabolism from lack of nutrition.
Weight loss (that's an obvious one!)

That's all I can think of at the moment. if you're anorexic and are experiencing period problems, take iron supplements. Anorexics commonly lose periods because their bodies are retaining iron.

The biggest one is death!!! Anorexia severely weakens your heart. the one of the biggest causes of death in anorexic patience is heart related. your organs shut down. your hair falls out. Many many things.

Does my dog have lice or flees if so the my other 2 dogs would have symptoms by now.
what is wrong with my dog and how do I help it?

could be due to thyroid trouble or hormone trouble,see a vet for blood tests

Chief Justice Rehnquist’s Death Focuses Attention on Thyroid Cancer

Kensington, MD (PRWEB) September 6, 2005

The news that the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice William Rehnquist has died of thyroid cancer on September 3, 2005 has increased awareness of this fairly uncommon cancer.

The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland that lies at the front of the neck, beneath the voice box, and behind the “Adam’s Apple.” The thyroid’s function is to produce hormone that helps the body utilize energy, and regulate metabolism. in rare cases, the thyroid becomes cancerous.

It’s estimated that this year, there will be 25,690 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. Of these, about 19,190 will be in women and about 6,500 in men. about 1,490 people (860 women and 630 men) are expected to die of thyroid cancer in 2005. Thyroid cancer is actually one of the few cancers that are becoming more common in the past several years, with a growth rate of 3% per 100,000 people each year.

A healthy thyroid is around the size of a quarter, and cannot usually be felt through the skin. But an enlarged thyroid, and benign or cancerous lumps in the thyroid can sometimes be felt or seen externally.

“It’s estimated that more than 13 million Americans have undiagnosed thyroid conditions,” said thyroid patient advocate Mary Shomon, who has been publishing books and newsletters about thyroid disease and advocating on behalf of thyroid disease patients since 1997.

Millions of Americans have undiagnosed thyroid problems, including an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), nodules, goiter (enlarged thyroid), and thyroid cancer.

It’s thought that Rehnquist had a particularly rare, fast-moving and almost always fatal form of thyroid cancer known as anaplastic cancer. most thyroid cancer, however, is highly treatable and survivable.

Could you have thyroid cancer? to aid in early detection of thyroid enlargement or nodules, you can perform a simple self-exam of the thyroid, looking for lumps or enlargements in the neck that may point to thyroid conditions. to detect a thyroid abnormality, follow these steps:

1. Stand in front of a mirror

2. Stretch your neck back

3. Swallow some water

4. while swallowing, look for enlargement in your neck (below the Adam’s Apple, above the collar bone area)

5. Feel the area to confirm any enlargement or bump

6. if you feel or see anything unusual, see an doctor for evaluation and further testing

Your physician should also perform a manual thyroid examination at every physical.

In 2005, 25,690 new cases of thyroid cancer are expected in the U.S. — 19,190 in women and 6,500 in men.

Currently, there are more than 200,000 thyroid cancer patients in the U.S.

About 1,490 people (860 women and 630 men) are expected to die of thyroid cancer in 2005.

About 1,460 people (840 women, 620 men) are expected to die of thyroid cancer in 2004.

Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that are becoming more common in the past several years, with a growth rate of 3% per 100,000 people each year.

Thyroid cancer often goes undetected because patients do not experience any symptoms.

If untreated, thyroid cancer can spread to other areas of the body.

10-15 million Americans have nodules that may be a sign of a thyroid disorder.

Men who have nodules are three times more likely to have thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is more prevalent in people exposed to head/neck radiation for medical treatments, and in people exposed to radiation via the nuclear testing in the 40s and 50s, nuclear accidents, living or working near nuclear plants, or situations such as the Chernobyl disaster.

There are four types of thyroid cancer: Papillary, Follicular, Medullary, and Anaplastic.

Papillary, Follicular, and Medullary cancers are the most common types of thyroid cancer, and affects mostly women age 25 – 65. These cancers are almost always treatable and curable when detected early. Treatment involves surgery and radioactive iodine to remove and ablate any cancerous thyroid tissue. Long-term survival rate is high.

Anaplastic is a rare and serious thyroid cancer that usually causes a large mass, spreads quickly, and is more common in those over 65 and in men. Long-term survival is poor, and 80% of patients die within a year.

Thyroidectomy — surgical removal of the thyroid — followed by radioactive iodine, is the typical treatment for thyroid cancer.

For more information online, read:

An Introduction to Thyroid Cancer: Overview of Thyoid Cancer Information

thyroid-info.com/articles/cancerintro.htm

Mary Shomon is a nationally-known thyroid patient advocate and best-selling author of numerous books on thyroid disease, including the New York Times best-seller “The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss,” “Living well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You…That you need to know,” “Living well With Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism,” and the “Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Success.” she is editor of the “Sticking out our Necks” Thyroid Newsletter, and the Thyroid Information website at thyroid-info.com

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Related Benign Neck Masses Press Releases

Does depression cause physical symptoms such as acne, et. cetera, what are some things caused by depression, externally?

You say 'clinical depression' have you been diagnosed? if not, it sounds like you need to see a doctor to rule out any other medical conditions, before you think of depression. I know that many people have this disease and do not get diagnosed soon enough so it makes people wonder about depression right away. the other poster is correct Thyroid disease is a big culpret for these symptoms. so are many other muscle/joint disorders. Please if you haven't been, go to a doctor and get a complete physical.

Their are diseases than can cause depression that also causes hair loss and skin changes. Pain in the joints and muscles can be caused by depression too. Fortunately their are good medications that work well for that kind of depression. Check Thyroid problems. Thyroid Disease can cause depression and hair loss and physical pain too.

When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, the only treatment option I was given involved strong drugs with many undesirable side effects. I chose not to take the drugs. Since they do not claim to cure multiple sclerosis, I thought the side effects were not worth the risks.

Here are some of the most common multiple sclerosis drugs and their side effects:

Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone are commonly reffered to as the ABC drugs. These are strong interferon drugs taken every other day or weekly by injection. side effects include depression, flu-like symptoms, liver, heart, blood, and thyroid problems, risk to pregnancy, seizures.

Tysabri increases your chances of getting a rare brain infection that usually causes death or severe disability. this infection is called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PMI). there is no known treatment, prevention, or cure for PMI. These side effects seem worse than the disease.

Patients today, more than ten years since my diagnosis, are still being pushed toward drug therapy only. my treatment option is a life long gluten-free diet. After being on the diet for a short time (i.e. months) all my multiple sclerosis symptoms were relieved and I was on my way to a complete recovery! Do the MS drugs have the same success? no.

Here are some of the most common side effects from a gluten-free diet: NONE.