A Simple Guide to Thyroid Disorders:From Diagnosis to Treatment
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The book A Simple Guide to Thyroid Disorders: From Diagnosis to Treatment by Scott Isaacs, M.D. (Addicus Publishing, 2003) is in straightforward and simple prose, this medical reference covers how the thyroid gland works and explains common disorders, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Information on the symptoms of various disorders accompany discussions of diagnoses and treatment options. Special attention is given to how thyroid diseases affect specific populations such as women, children, and the elderly.
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WIRED? TIRED? IT COULD BE YOUR THYROID!
One in 10 Americans Suffers from a Thyroid Disorder
Approximately 8 Million Are Undiagnosed
January is National Thyroid Awareness Month
It's a story that's repeated on regular basis. Dr. Scott Isaacs tells of patients that were always categorized as "high energy" people. They were active, ran daily and were always the one's to say, "Go, go, go." Then things started to change. Gradually, and symptoms were attributed to ongoing lifestyle changes. As time went on these patients admitted that they felt really, really horrible. Hands and feet were always cold. Hair was dry and falling out. Periods were much heavier, and they had so little energy that just getting up the stairs was a major effort. These people literally thought they were dying!
They were not dying. They were diagnosed as hypothyroid--where the thyroid gland was under active, producing too little thyroid hormone or hyperthyroid--where the thyroid gland was on fast forward, producing too much thyroid hormone.
It's estimated that 20 million Americans are currently under treatment for thyroid disorders. However, another 8 million are undiagnosed. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists hopes to change that by increasing public awareness during National Thyroid Awareness Month in January 2004.
Why do so many people go undiagnosed? "Often the symptoms of thyroid disease-such as weight gain or fatigue-come on gradually, and people think they're just feeling tired or that they're just getting older," according to Dr. Scott Isaacs, an Atlanta endocrinologist and author of the new book, A Simple Guide to Thyroid Disorders-From Diagnosis to Treatment. Other common symptoms include nervousness, irritability, and sleeplessness. "After diabetes, thyroid disease is the most common glandular disorder, but most people do not realize that the thyroid hormone affects virtually every cell in the body; consequently, symptoms from thyroid disease can be incredibly diverse and troublesome." Order book here
Dr. Isaacs says that, "up to 20% of all chronic depression cases stem from low production of thyroid hormone, yet many patients who are treated for depression do not get thyroid tests. Countless other cases are missed because their symptoms such as rapid heartbeats and nervousness are erroneously attributed to anxiety disorders. Some women go from doctor to doctor and therapist to therapist for months or years complaining of irritability, heart palpitations, difficulty concentrating, even memory problems before they finally get help."
The statistics for women are staggering. Women are four times as likely as men to develop thyroid disease, probably because, for unknown reasons, they are more prone to the immune system malfunction that underlies the vast majority of cases. Essentially, the immune system fails to recognize the thyroid gland as part of the body, and sends forth antibodies to attack the thyroid cells.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck on either side of the trachea (windpipe). Although its duties are simple, its effects are profound. The gland extracts iodine from blood to produce two hormones--thyroxine and triiodothyronine--that control the metabolic function of virtually every cell and organ in the body.
Hypothyrodism is twice as prevalent as hyperthyroidism. The most common form of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's disease, named for the Japanese surgeon who first recognized it in 1912.
Although Hashimoto's disease is usually the cause of hypothyroidism, between 5% and 8% of women develop it soon after giving birth. Other causes include radiation therapy to the head and neck, pituitary tumors or certain drugs, and even treatment for hyperthyroidism can cause its obverse, hypothyroidism. Whatever the cause, an underactive thyroid leaves the body running in slow motion. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold and a sense that concentration and memory are not as sharp as they used to be. In time symptoms become more pronounced: dry skin and brittle nails, constipation, muscle aches or cramps, slow heart rate and, in women, longer menstrual periods with heavier flow. Because ovulation is irregular, untreated women may have trouble getting pregnant and have a higher than normal rate of miscarriage and premature delivery.
As for overactive glands, the main cause of hyperthyroidism is another autoimmune disorder, called Graves' disease, in honor of the 19th century Irish physician who described it. It's Graves' disease that both George and Barbara Bush developed.
The symptoms are the flip side of hypothyroidism: nervousness and irritability, feeling hot, softening of the nails, hair loss, muscle weakness, rapid heartbeat, more frequent bowel movements, shorter menstrual periods with lighter flow and weight loss despite eating as usual (Barbara Bush lost 18 pounds in the two months before her Graves' disease was diagnosed). Although some people with Graves' disease feel supercharged and "wired," they may also feel weak and wiped out, and the heart pounding can be very scary.
The good news is that thyroid disorders are treatable. According to Dr. Isaacs, "Most people don't realize that most forms of thyroid disease can be completely managed with proper treatment; however, many patients suffer needlessly because they don't get an accurate diagnosis. As an endocrinologist, I see many patients who have seen other physicians but are still suffering with thyroid problems. Often, a simple medication adjustment makes the symptoms go away."
Why did Dr. Isaacs write A Simple Guide to Thyroid Disorders? "Thyroid patients, in particular, have a hunger for information. This book helps patients understand how thyroid disorders are diagnosed, the various treatment options, and what to do if a symptom lingers despite treatment with standard medications."