About Thyroid Disease
(L-R) Yuly Marin, Director Montreal TFC, Dr. Elvira Villazon, Director Montreal TFC, Beate Bartès, President , Vivre sans Throide, France , Dr. Hortensia, Mircescu, Medical Advisor, TFC and Ashok Bhaseen, President TFC Montreal and National after the meeting at CHUM, Montreal
Thyroid Health - It's Not Black and White!
It is estimated that 200 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease. In Canada there is a staggering number of people affected. Recent studies indicate that 30% - over 10 million people - suffer from a thyroid condition of one type or another! That means one in every three Canadians has a thyroid disorder. Of those, as many as 50% are undiagnosed!
Thyroid health affects all aspects of well being, both genders, all ages.
Until this gland goes awry, very little attention is given to its small, butterfly shaped presence at the base of the neck.The hormones it secretes are essential to all growth and metabolism.
The domino effect
Most people are unaware that cardiac disease, lupus, reproductive difficulties, diabetes, arthritis as well as many other health issues are associated with a poor functioning thyroid gland. Research has shown that early thyroid assessment can, in many cases, reduce the incidence or severity of these high profile diseases.
There are many types of thyroid disease, including:
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Graves' eye disease
Thyroiditis (Hashimoto's, Postpartum)
Cancer of the thyroid
Nodules
Thyroid health for life
Thyroid disease may have a significant effect when it occurs at critical times during the life cycle and this will require different treatment and testing.
Newborns
Childhood
Pregnancy
The Elderly
The importance of early diagnosis
Early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease is crucial. It is the goal of the TFC to raise awareness of the role of a healthy thyroid and to help the public and Canadian medical service providers to think thyroid first when it comes to health.
What you can do now!
Do you have a healthy thyroid? Keep up-to-date with thyroid news and information by joining TFC and receiving thyrobulletin, TFC's newsletter. Help spread thyroid awareness by making a donation. All donations support the work of the Thyroid Foundation of Canada.