Are Thyroid Lab Ranges Leading Woman To An Early Grave. Naperville Thyroid Doctor Says They Are.
Thyroid Disease Common Among Americans Thyroid disease is the leading endocrine disorder in the United States, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, affecting about 27 million Americans. However, up to half of these cases are undiagnosed. Learn about the symptoms of thyroid symptoms here
This means over 13 million Americans are suffering from thyroid problems right now but are completely unaware of what’s causing their symptoms. Often, especially in the case of subclinical hypothyroidism — a condition in which levels of circulating thyroid hormone are normal but thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are increased — you may have no symptoms at all.
Or, you may have symptoms that mimic another condition entirely, sending you on a misleading path of misdiagnosis. In hypothyroidism, which is the most common form of thyroid disease (especially in women, which it impacts five times more than men), symptoms can include fatigue, dry hair and skin, depression, hair loss, irregular periods, stiff joints and muscles, depression and intolerance to cold.
All of these symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, but if you’re suffering from one or more, your health care provider should know to screen you for thyroid troubles.
Likewise, if you have symptoms that are unexplained, such as fatigue or weight gain that has occurred for no reason, your thyroid could be off balance.
Because thyroid disorders can be sneaky, and when left untreated can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and heart failure (see reference below), you should be proactive about having your thyroid screened and properly managed. To receive a free Guide simply fill out your name and email to the right.
The American Thyroid Association recommends adults be screened for thyroid dysfunction starting at age 35, and you should ask for screening even before this if you’re having any of the above noted symptoms.
If you’ve already had a TSH or T4 test to check for hypothyroidism and your levels came back normal, but you’re still experiencing unexplained symptoms, this warrants further testing as well; find a health care practitioner who is knowledgeable about thyroid dysfunction, someone who will look at the big picture and someone who will get you on the road to recovery instead of telling you that everything looks fine. Download a Free Thyroid Report here
Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction is a Risk for Heart Disease
Few large studies have looked at the connection between thyroid dysfunction and heart disease, and in particular, the question of whether subclinical hypothyroidism is a risk factor for development of heart disease. Reporting in the Nov. 28, 2005 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers looked at the TSH and Free T4 levels of more than 2100 patients. What they found was that patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had a much higher rate of heart disease than those with normal thyroid levels. Patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, however, had no adverse outcomes. This led researchers to conclude that subclinical hypothyroidism may be an independent risk factor for heart disease.
Sources: Rodondi, Nicolas MD, MAS; et. al. “Subclinical Hypothyroidism and the Risk of Heart Failure, Other Cardiovascular Events, and Death.” Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:2460-2466. Vol. 165 No. 21, November 28, 2005.
