According to the American Thyroid Association, up to 60 percent of the estimated 20 million Americans living with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. In an effort to raise awareness of the impact this tiny gland has on the human body, January has been declared Thyroid Awareness Month. Signified by a blue paisley ribbon, the focus of this month is to educate the public and improve thyroid disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that’s located just below the voice box. Although it is relatively small, the thyroid gland plays a huge role in our bodies, influencing the function of many of our most important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. Though it may seem insignificant, when this gland is not functioning properly the effects are very noticeable.

Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism, or the rate at which every part of the body functions. In order to do so, the thyroid hormone needs to be carefully controlled. A complex cycle, beginning with the pituitary gland, maintains appropriate levels of thyroid hormone. If there is a problem with the thyroid, the level of thyroid hormone may change.

What can go wrong with the thyroid?

Hypothyroidism, meaning that the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone, is the most common type of thyroid disorder. When there is not enough thyroid hormone being created, parts of the body slow down. Hyperthyroidism means your thyroid gland is too active, speeding up your metabolism.

Cancer happens when cells in the body begin multiplying out of control and then forming lumps of tissue called tumors. Just like in other organs, cells in the thyroid may grow out of control, forming small lumps called nodules. The thyroid may also swell.

There are four main types of thyroid cancer:

• Papillary carcinoma 
• Follicular carcinoma
• Medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Anaplastic carcinoma 

After diagnosis, you and your health care provider will discuss a treatment plan that is specific to your type of cancer and your personal needs. Treatment choices may include:

• Surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland.
• Radioiodine therapy, which uses radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid cancer cells in the body.
• External radiation therapy, which uses rays of energy directed right at the tumor to kill cancer cells.
• Hormone therapy, which blocks or removes the hormones that help the cancer grow.
• Chemotherapy, which uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
• Targeted therapy, which targets the cancer cells' genes or proteins that allow cancer growth and survival.

Diagnosing thyroid disease.

Because the symptoms of thyroid disease are the same as many other health problems, it can be difficult to diagnose. Common symptoms of thyroid disease include unexplained changes in weight, drastically decreased or drastically increased energy levels, changes in your menstrual cycle, feeling excessively cold or excessively hot when others do not, thinning hair and changes in heart rate. If you suspect that there may be something wrong with your thyroid your doctor may start by asking about your health history or if any of your family members have had thyroid problems. He or she may also give you a physical exam and check your neck for thyroid nodules. Depending on the results of these pre-screenings your doctor may then order additional blood tests.

If you have questions about this tiny gland and its huge job, use this month to talk to your doctor or get your thyroid checked.