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In this new year, this is the perfect time to focus on this vital gland of your body. Many people do not think about their thyroid until something goes wrong and they have to be tested. Keeping your thyroid healthy throughout the year should, however, be a top priority. To help you achieve this goal, we will give you tips on how your thyroid works at the best possible level to stay healthy throughout 2019.
We have compiled a list of the top five things you should know about your thyroid and what you can do if you find a lump or bump in, on, or around that gland.
1. The basics
Do you know what thyroid is, where it is and what it does? You are not alone if you answered no. Your thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly. You can find this gland towards the front of your neck in the lower part. You can not feel or see this gland if it is healthy and works as it should. It's usually a good indicator that something is wrong if you can feel it or even see it when you look in the mirror.
This small gland plays an important role in the regulation of several systems of your body. It helps the production of hormones and the direct connection with your nervous system, your menstrual cycle, your weight, your cholesterol level, your muscular strength, your heart rate and your breathing.
2. Your thyroid needs a constant intake of iodine to function properly
Your thyroid gland likes iodine. You must have enough in your body to help maintain a healthy thyroid function because your thyroid uses iodine to produce hormones. These hormones are essential because they help regulate your organs. Unfortunately, your body does not produce iodine by itself.
You must get the necessary iodine by eating foods that contain a good amount, such as bread and table salt. These foods were specially formulated with iodine in 1924 to combat the iodine deficiency wave observed throughout the United States. Inadequate iodine nutrition can lead to a condition called hypothyroidism, a condition that develops when your thyroid does not take enough iodine to produce the hormones your body needs to function.
3. Thyroid disease is common
Did you know that about 20 million Americans suffer from a form of thyroid disease? More and more people have no idea of the problem of their thyroid. You can have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Both are the result of incorrect functioning of the thyroid gland. However, they mean very different things.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your gland does not produce enough hormones to cover the necessary production of hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your gland produces too much hormones for your body to handle. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: difficulty sleeping, weight loss, irritability, difficulty concentrating and feeling too hot. On the other hand, the symptoms of hypothyroidism include feeling cold, lethargy, dry skin, slow heartbeat, constipation, and unexplained weight gain.
4. You can encourage thyroid health through diet
There are things you can do to promote good thyroid health even if the exact causes of thyroid problems are unknown. Your diet plays a vital role in keeping your gland at an optimal level.
You may want to reduce the number of highly processed foods and gluten. Once you do this, you can start adding foods to your diet that promote good health. These foods include foods like seaweed, nuts, fish, whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and spices like turmeric. As always, you want to add everything in moderation to have a healthy and balanced diet.
5. You can live without your thyroid
Did you know that you can live without your thyroid? This is true even though this gland is responsible for many vital functions in your body. Your thyroid cancer is an example where your doctor may decide to remove it.
It is important to note that you will need to take one pill each day for the rest of your life, which will essentially replace the function of your thyroid. This is usually the last resort for people with thyroid problems. You may want to try other treatments or get a second opinion from a specialist beforehand.
Thyroid test
Many people who find bumps on or around their thyroid choose to consult a reputable doctor, the FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration), to help them do the test. FNA is a popular test method because it is minimally invasive, has a very short recovery time and is a very reliable way to determine if your mbades are cancerous or benign.
FNA is an outpatient procedure where the specialist uses ultrasound to locate the mbades. They will mark the area and insert a very fine needle to collect the sample. These samples go to a laboratory for testing. You usually receive the results in a few days. This can be as short as 48 hours after the procedure.
Advantages of fine needle aspiration
This type of biopsy has several advantages. We have highlighted the main reasons why people decide to use this procedure. They include but are not limited to:
• A little invasive
• outpatient procedure
• Delivered with extreme precision
• Very little or no time to stop
• Quick results
Bottom line
By taking the time to learn about your thyroid, you will be more aware and more able to detect the warning signs. If you notice anything unusual and think it might be related to your thyroid, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible so you can begin the diagnostic process and determine the treatment plan that is right for you. Find a health professional who meets your needs and can provide you with the best medical care because not all doctors and pathologists are equal.
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