Index to this Health
Guide
Thyroid
Disease is a world-wide reality
Facts
The emotional aspects of thyroid illness
The need for monitoring
The purpose of newborn screening
The need for further research
Who Are We?
What Are Our Aims?
What Do We Provide?
What Can You Do? |
Health
Guides on Thyroid Disease
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Thyroid
Disease is a world-wide reality
About 200 million
people in the world have some form of thyroid disease. Yet before
the founding of the Thyroid Foundation of Canada in 1980, no lay
organization existed in North America to promote public education
about thyroid disease and to promote public support of thyroid research.
Thyroid disorders
for the most part are treatable; however, untreated thyroid disease
can produce serious results in other parts of the body. Improved
public awareness and understanding of thyroid disorders will enable
patients and their families to cope more effectively with the sometimes
disturbing course of thyroid illness. In this way individuals will
also be better equipped to play a role in alerting their physicians
to a suspected thyroid condition that may otherwise be difficult
to diagnose in the sometimes slowly developing initial phases.
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Facts
The
thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is a small gland at the base of the neck. It weighs
only about 25 grams. However, the hormones it secretes are essential
to all growth and metabolism. The gland is a regulator of all body
functions. Prevalence
of thyroid disease
In Canada thyroid disorders are estimated to affect one in twenty.
Most thyroid disorders are 5-7 times more common in women.
Types
of thyroid disease
There are many types of thyroid disease. However, the main conditions
present in most thyroid illnesses are Hypothyroidism (thyroid underactivity)
and Hyperthyroidism (thyroid overactivity).
Thyroid
nodules
Thyroid nodules are common and treatable but should always be investigated
since a small proportion of them are cancerous. Thyroid cancer,
although uncommon, can in the majority of cases be successfully
treated. Patients who received X-ray treatment for acne and conditions
of the thymus, adenoids, tonsils and skin during the 1940's and
1950's are at greater risk of thyroid cancer and should be examined
by a thyroid specialist.
Symptoms
of thyroid disease
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions include:
Hypothyroidism
- weak slow
heart beat
- muscular
weakness and constant fatigue
- sensitivity
to cold
- thick puffy
skin
- slowed mental
processes and poor memory
- constipation
- goitre
Hyperthyroidism
- rapid forceful
heartbeat
- tremor
- muscular
weakness
- weight loss
in spite of increased appetite
- restlessness,
anxiety and sleeplessness
- profuse sweating
and heat intolerance
- diarrhea
- eye changes
- goitre
Each person's experience
of thyroid illness differs depending on a number of factors; a patient
will not necessarily have all the above symptoms. A physician should
be consulted if thyroid illness is suspected.
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The
emotional aspects of thyroid illness
There may be emotional
reactions to thyroid illness. Hyperthyroid patients often feel unusually
nervous or irritable. Hypothyroid patients can feel unusual fatigue
or depression. It is important for thyroid patients and their families
to understand that these reactions are common and likely to resolve
with treatment. It is also important to realize that some thyroid
disorders develop very gradually. Since symptoms may not be easily
recognized at first, subtle reactions in emotions or behaviour may
be the only visible signs of thyroid disorder in the beginning stages. |
The
need for monitoring
Thyroid patients
require life-long monitoring. Patients who believe they have been
completely cured of their thyroid illness should discuss the need
for follow-up with their family physicians or thyroid specialists.
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The
purpose of newborn screening
Canada is a world
leader in developing screening methods for the detection of the serious
disorder of congenital hypothyroidism. As a result, most North American
hospitals now screen for this disease. One baby in 4000-5000 is being
identified in Canada by screening tests. Thus the serious mental retardation
and growth defects that can result from congenital hypothyroidism
are being prevented. However, early identification and treatment are
absolutely essential. |
The
need for further research
Further thyroid
research is necessary to continue the progress that has been made
in diagnosis and treatment. Although there are effective treatments
for most thyroid disorders, the underlying causes require further
investigation. The continued study of the thyroid may yield important
knowledge in other areas of medical science. However, public support
of thyroid research is vital. |
Who
Are We?
The Thyroid
Foundation of Canada was founded in Kingston by Diana Meltzer Abramsky
in 1980. It grew from the concerns and feelings of isolation of
thyroid patients and their families. These feelings were largely
due to the lack of adequate information available on thyroid disease
and lack of support groups for discussion of mutual problems and
frustrations.
A growing network
of chapters is being developed across Canada. The Foundation has
raised funds to support thyroid research and awards have been granted
for a variety of projects. Grants from government and corporate
sources have been received for the production of educational material
in English and French. |
What
Are Our Aims?
- To awaken
public interest in, and awareness of, thyroid disease;
- To lend moral
support to thyroid patients and their families;
- To assist
in fund raising for thyroid disease research.
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What
Do We Provide?
- THYROBULLETIN
is the Foundation's quarterly publication. It presents up-to-date
information on thyroid disease and chapter events for members.
- EDUCATIONAL
MATERIAL
is available free or at reduced rates for members and interested
individuals and organizations.
- PUBLIC EDUCATION
MEETINGS
on aspects of thyroid diseases are presented by local chapters,
free to members and the public.
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What
Can You Do?
We
need you - as a member, a donor or a volunteer. The
success of this organization depends on the efforts of many dedicated
individuals who choose to become involved. For more information call
the National Office or contact
your local chapter.
Please
Join Us!
Your membership
and support will help us reach our goals and continue with our programs
for the benefit of many concerned with thyroid disease.
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A
printed version of this Health Guide is available to health care
professionals and the public. For more information call the National
Office or contact your local
chapter.
Production of
the printed version of this Health Guide was made possible through
partial funding assistance from Health Canada. The views expressed
herein are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent
the official policy of Health Canada. |
