Mahaska Health Partnership Recognizes Thyroid Awareness Month
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – January is Thyroid Awareness Month and Mahaska Health Partnership wants you to know that if your thyroid isn’t functioning as it should, neither are you.
According to the American Thyroid Association, the thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. When working properly, the thyroid gland helps the heart, brain, liver, skin and other organs perform correctly.
“Thyroid disorders affect as many as 30 million Americans with the majority of those affected being women,” said MHP Family Practice Provider Leigh Gilburn, DO. “If you have a family history of thyroid disorders, there is a chance you will have one as well.”
Some of the main warning signs of a thyroid condition include fatigue, changes in your skin or hair and weight changes. Your primary care provider can check for thyroid problems by testing your hormone levels. This is done by taking a blood sample.
“Two common thyroid conditions are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism,” explained Dr. Gilburn. “Hyperthyroidism means that the thyroid is producing too much hormone and hypothyroidism means it isn’t producing enough.”
Thyroid issues can sometimes be seen in the look and feel of your neck where the gland is located. To check for thyroid problems yourself, tip your head back and watch the base of your neck in a mirror as you take a drink of water. Look for bulges; these may be a sign of an enlarged thyroid.
“If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with a thyroid condition, it is treatable and manageable,” said Dr. Gilburn. “The key is to make an appointment and have the necessary tests to begin treatment as soon as possible.”
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, call 641-672-3240 or visit www.mahaskahealth.org.
