Lakewood, NJ – Do the cold, dreary winter months may leave you feeling more tired and lethargic than usual? Frigid temperatures coupled with shorter days can inhibit your desire to exercise, add unwanted pounds and lower your overall level of energy. So when should your lack of energy be a cause for concern?
According to Heather Robberson, MD, a physician on staff at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood, significant changes in your energy level that lasts long enough to impact your quality of life should be evaluated by your doctor.
“Energy levels and metabolism are regulated by your thyroid gland,” explains Dr. Robberson. “If you experience a dramatic change in your energy level, especially if it’s accompanied by a rapid change in weight, cold or heat intolerance, or changes in your hair, skin or nails, it’s important to see your doctor.”
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located just below the Adam’s apple that produces the hormone, thyroxine. This hormone regulates every aspect of our metabolism – from our heart rate to how quickly we burn calories.
Millions of Americans are affected by thyroid disease, and while thyroid problems are relatively common, they are often undetected or misdiagnosed, because the symptoms are vague and may appear on a very gradual basis.
“If your thyroid releases the proper amount of hormones, your metabolism can function normally,” says Dr. Robberson. “But when your thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroxine, or produces too much, it upsets the balance of the other hormones in your body and impacts your metabolism and overall energy level.”
Thyroid problems generally fall into three categories – an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and thyroid nodules. The most common of the three is hypothyroidism – the underactive thyroid – which, according to the American Thyroid Association, predominantly affects women, especially those over the age of 40, and as many as one in 10 over the age of 65.
Hypothyroidism causes the body’s processes to slow down. As the body slows, according to the American Thyroid Association, people may notice that they feel colder, they tire more easily, their skin may feel drier and they may feel depressed. People suffering from hypothyroidism may also experience weight gain, course hair, brittle nails, and constipation.
Whether your recent loss of energy is merely a case of the winter doldrums or a more serious thyroid condition, it’s important to see your doctor to be sure. Dr. Robberson points out that a simple blood test – a thyroid stimulating hormone screening – can reveal abnormalities in your thyroid hormone levels that would indicate hypothyroidism and the need for treatment. “Hypothyroidism can be controlled quite effectively with medication,” she explains, “a synthetic form of thyroxine taken daily in a pill form.”
In addition to diagnosing the underactive thyroid, the thyroid function screening can reveal an overactive thyroid as well. “If your thyroid produces too much thyroxine,” says Dr. Robberson, “the result is hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. The additional hormone production,” she adds, “accelerates the body’s metabolism causing rapid weight loss, heart palpitations, sweating, diarrhea, irritability and nervousness.” Some patients with hyperthyroidism can also experience bulging, protruding eyes.
Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications, according to Dr. Robberson, that control the heart rate and production of thyroid hormones. “A more aggressive treatment,” she explains, “uses radioactive iodine which burns the thyroid gland, slowing or diminishing the production of thyroid hormones.”
Other common thyroid disorders include thyroid nodules. “Thyroid nodules are lumps that develop within the thyroid,” explains Dr. Robberson. Also known as goiters, she points out that thyroid nodules are fairly common, rarely cause symptoms and are most often discovered during a routine physical or examination of the neck.
In fact, less than ten percent of thyroid nodules are malignant, according to the American Thyroid Association. Unfortunately, no simple blood test can reveal a thyroid nodule, or whether it’s benign. Your doctor will order specialized tests that may include a thyroid scan, ultrasound and a biopsy. If a thyroid nodule is malignant, or grows large enough to interfere with swallowing or breathing, they are surgically removed.
Thyroid disorders, if left untreated, can have serious long-term health implications, so it is important to see your doctor or an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in treating thyroid and other hormonal disorders, to receive an accurate diagnosis.
“It’s always important to get regular medical check ups,” says Dr. Robberson, “and to schedule a visit with your doctor if you experience any significant change in your overall sense of good health and well-being.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robberson or another physician on staff at Kimball Medical Center who specializes in the treatment of thyroid disorders, call the Barnabas Health Care Link at 1-888- 724-7123 and press prompt 2.
Date: January 13, 2010
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@barnabashealth.org
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