Who Has Thyroid Disease?

An estimated 13 million Americans have thyroid disorders, but more than half still remain undiagnosed. Approximately 1 out of every 8 women will develop a thyroid disorder in her lifetime. By age 60, as many as 17 percent of women will have and underactive thyroid.

What Are The Genetic Links In Thyroid Disease?

Fifty percent of thyroid disease patients' offspring will inherit the thyroid disease gene. Fifteen to 20 percent of diabetics and their siblings or parents are at a greater risk of presenting with thyroid disease compared to 4.5 percent of the general population.

 
Thyroid Gland: The Body's Regulator

The thyroid gland is the small, butterfly-shaped gland found just below the Adam's apple. It is central to the proper functioning of the body, regulating its metabolism and organ function. The thyroid produces hormones that influence essentially every organ, tissue and cell in the body. In short, if the thyroid doesn't work properly, neither do you.

Left untreated, thyroid disease can cause elevated cholesterol levels, osteoporosis, infertility, depression and, in extreme cases, coma or death.

Six out of every 100 miscarriages can be attributed to thyroid deficiency during pregnancy.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Thyroid Disease?

Hypothyroidism (Underactive)

-Fatigue Irritability/nervousness
-Forgetfulness 
-Irregular menstrual periods 
-Weight gain
-Dry, coarse skin and hair 
-Depression
-Hoarse voice, vision problems.
-Intolerance to cold

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive)

-Muscle weakness/tremors  
-Weight loss 
-Sleep disturbances
-Heat intolerance  
-Mood swings

To learn more about these and other hormonal disorders, contact Lubna Ahmad, M.D, The Endocrine Clinic, at 1780 Cascade Valley Court, Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89128. Telephone (702) 228-5000.

Dr. Ahmad trained at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. She is Board Certified in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes. She specializes in hormone disorders of men and women.