How can I Prevent Hyper

and Hypothyroidism

?By: Alexa Brandt

Background

I chose to research hyper and hypothyroidism because it affects both my mom and my aunt. They are now stuck on medication for the rest of their lives to keep their thyroids in check. I want to know what I can do to decrease my chances of getting this disorder because it is already in my genes.

What is your thyroid?

Your thyroid is the gland that is located in front of your neck. It’s job is to control the body’s metabolism. It also affects the heart, muscles, bones and cholesterol.

("Hyperthyroidism-Topic Overview“) (“Evaluation of the Thyroid Nodule [Thyroid Cancer and Benign Disease] “)

What is Hyper and Hypothyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism refers to any condition in which the body has too much thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone deficiency and often occurs after hyperthyroidism.(“Hyperthyroidism FAQ”)

("Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions - Hypothyroidism“)

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism:

("Hyperthyroidism FAQ”)

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

(“Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions – Hypothyroidism”)

Risk Factors

("Risk Factors for Hyperthyroidism”)

("Hypothyroidism: Risk Factors”) ("Health Encyclopedia - Diseases

and Conditions - Hypothyroidism“)

oAge

oGender (Female)

oFamily History of Graves Disease

oPregnancy

Hyper

oAutoimmune disease in family

oPrevious thyroid surgery

oHigh cholesterol

oFamily history

Hypo

oAnti-thyroid meds

oIodine deficiency o30-40 years of age

o50 and older

oCertain Viral Infections

Statistics of Hyper:

o Affects 1 million Americanso 5-10 times more common in women

than meno Most common in ages 20-40o If a woman has hyperthyroidism, she

has 80% higher chance for ovarian cancer

(“Hyperthyroidism Stats, Signs, Symptoms”)

Statistics of Hypo:

o Affects 11 million Americanso 10 times more common in women than in

meno 1 in 5 women over 75 years old have

Hashimoto's thyroiditiso 1 in 4000 babies are born w/o a working

thyroid gland

("Hypothyroidism Stats, Signs, Symptoms”)

Action Plan #1

It is so important to get informed and find out if thyroid problems run in your family. This is a huge risk factor and increases your risk of getting hyper or hypothyroidism greatly. Knowing this important fact will allow you to become more prepared and aware so you can be proactive about prevention.

Family History

("Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions - Hypothyroidism“)

Action Plan #2

Managing My Cholesterol

Keeping your cholesterol in check is not really that complicated, it just takes some common sense. High cholesterol is both a risk factor for thyroid problems but also a byproduct of them. This makes it more important to get good exercise regularly and to eat a nutritious, well balanced diet that won’t clog your arteries. ("Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and

Conditions - Hypothyroidism“)(“The High Cholesterol Thyroid Connection”)

Action Plan #3Preventing

Iodine Deficiency

(“Iodine Deficiency”)

Thyroid problems are also caused largely by iodine deficiency. Iodine is one of the key components in making enough thyroid hormone to make your thyroid work. Your body cannot make this on it’s own so we have to get it from our diets. Luckily many foods have good amounts of iodine in them such as: breads, dairy, and seafood. Eating these foods can help to prevent iodine deficiency and potential thyroid problems.("Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and

Conditions - Hypothyroidism“)

My Action PlanAfter looking over these possible action

plans, my choices are simple now. I have already found out that both hyper and hypothyroidism are in my genes and because most risk factors are uncontrollable, like gender and age, it is clear what I need to do now. I will try to get more exercise by working out on days when I don’t have TKD practice, and choosing not to snack after dinner in order to keep my cholesterol in check. I will also watch my diet and make sure that I’m getting a good source of iodine in my diet daily from bread, dairy, and seafood. These simple steps are very easy and will help me a great deal to prevent future hyper and hypothyroidism.

Works Cited:o "Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions - Hypothyroidism." Health Scout.

N.p., 1 Apr. 2009. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/34/main.html>.

o "Hyperthyroidism FAQ." American Thyroid Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. <http://www.thyroid.org/patients/faqs/hyperthyroidism.html>.

o "Hyperthyroidism-Topic Overview." Web MD. N.p., 2007. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hyperthyroidism-topic-overview>.

o Evaluation of the Thyroid Nodule [Thyroid Cancer and Benign Disease] . Cancer News. Web. 23 Oct. 2009. <http://www.cancernews.com/images/aimages/saunders/image1.jpg>.

o "Risk Factors for Hyperthyroidism." Baptist Health Systems. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.mbmc.org/healthgate/GetHGContent.aspx?token=9c315661-83b7-472d-a7ab-bc8582171f86&chunkiid=19617>.

o Mayo Clinic Staff, . "Hypothyroidism: Risk Factors." MayoClinic.com. 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2009. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353/DSECTION=risk-factors>.

o "Hypothyroidism Stats, Signs, Symptoms." Pharmasave. Web. 5 Nov. 2009. <http://content.nhiondemand.com/psv/HC2.asp?objID=100230&cType=hc>.

o "Hyperthyroidism Stats, Signs, Symptoms." Pharmasave. Web. 8 Nov. 2009. <http://content.nhiondemand.com/psv/HC2.asp?objID=100229&cType=hc>.

o Shomon, Mary . "The High Cholesterol Thyroid Connection." About.com. 2003. Web. 8 Nov. 2009. <http://thyroid.about.com/cs/symptomsproblems/a/cholesterol.htm>.

o "Iodine Deficiency ." American Thyroid Association. 2008. Web. 11 Nov. 2009. <http://www.thyroid.org/patients/patient_brochures/iodine_deficiency.html>.