Know your thyroid

Several years before she became a household fixture on the TV show Modern Family, actress Sofia Vergara went through something that would change her life forever.

The TV bombshell was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 28, and her thyroid gland had to be removed. Now 42 years old, Vergara relies on medication to replace thyroid hormones in her system, and life goes on for her even without the essential gland.

There are a number of people, some of whom you may even know, who experience cases similar to Vergara’s. While thyroid cancer is among the fastest growing types of cancer cases in the United States, it is treatable, as are other thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

But among the estimated 20 million Americans with thyroid conditions, 60% don’t know they have any issues with their thyroid gland, according to the American Thyroid Association.

This may be because the symptoms associated with thyroid problems can be mistaken for other illnesses, or even chalked up to everyday ups and downs, says Dr. Christina Mitchell, assistant professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

“The classic symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue, depression, weight gain, fluid retention and constipation are so ubiquitous. Some people experience them almost every day,” Mitchell says.

“But we have a clear-cut blood test, the thyroid stimulating hormone test, to nail diagnoses. The symptoms alone are perfectly reasonable causes to get tested.”

What is thyroid disease?

Understanding thyroid disease and cancer begins with understanding what the thyroid is. The small butterfly-shaped gland in the middle of the base of the neck serves the entire body. Using mostly with iodine as the fuel, the thyroid releases hormones that regulate metabolism throughout the body’s cells, and are essential for growth and maturing.

In cases of hypothyroidism, where the gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, people can experience dry skin and brittle hair and nails, along with weight gain and depression.

With hyperthyroidism, where too much of the hormones are produced, people can experience the opposite, including weight loss, irritability, heart palpitations, anxiety and insomnia.

The two conditions often can be traced back to autoimmune issues. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by low iodine in the system.

Hyperthyroidism also could happen when the gland becomes inflamed and dumps greater amounts of hormones into the body.

But whether the gland is over- or under-active, medications and treatments are readily available that can help regulate the thyroid, Mitchell says. “We are lucky to have a lot of options for hormone replacement and supplementation,” she says.

What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is often found in nodules that develop on the gland. Often a portion or the entire gland is removed in cancer cases.

While symptoms can easily be thought of as common everyday issues, testing for thyroid conditions is simple to do and several treatment options are available for those in need.

Radioactive iodine is a unique treatment that can work, in addition to surgery for thyroid cancer. The iodine specifically targets tissue that takes onthe mineral.

“It uses the principals of radiation, butcarries far fewer side effects and risks to other organs,” Mitchell says.

“It takes advantage of the fact that the thyroid concentrates iodine so much. Because iodine is the building block,you can limit tissue affected by the radioactivity.”