GENESEO, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2023 – January is Thyroid Awareness Month and the Livingston County Department of Health is encouraging residents to know the signs and symptoms associated with a thyroid-related condition and to speak with their healthcare provider to learn more.
The American Thyroid Association (ATA) estimates that more than 12 percent of the United States’ population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. Currently, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease while roughly 60 percent of those with a thyroid-related condition are unaware of it. One in eight women will develop a thyroid-related ailment in their lifetime as they’re five to eight times more likely to develop a thyroid condition than men. If left unchecked, thyroid problems can lead to larger health concerns including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and infertility.
A hormone-producing gland that regulates the body’s metabolism, the thyroid has a significant impact on several critical functions of the body including energy levels and heart rate. Located in the neck, the thyroid influences every cell, tissue and organ within the human body and is one of the body’s most important organs.
Thyroid problems can yield a wide array of symptoms and conditions. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the gland overproduces thyroid hormone leading to irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss, sleep disturbances, vision problems and overall eye irritation. Hypothyroidism, another form of the disease, occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormone causing extreme fatigue, depression, forgetfulness and some weight gain.
Learn more about the thyroid and conditions that affect it by visiting the American Thyroid Association’s website or by consulting with your local healthcare provider.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is comprised of more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.