Thyroid Awareness
Every January is National Thyroid Awareness Month, but a whopping estimate by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists that more than half of the 27 million cases in the United States of an underactive or overactive thyroid are not diagnosed, shows that much more awareness is needed.
Public figures like Former President and Former First Lady George and Barbara Bush and media icon Oprah Winfrey have all experienced thyroid disorders, and their stories have helped shine the media spotlight on the difficulties of diagnosis.
Liselle Douyon, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, wants to increase awareness that there is “very successful treatment” for thyroid disorders. She says, “Thyroid disease might not be severe enough for you to die, but it is severe enough to make you miserable.”
Your risk of thyroid disorders increases with age. Hypothyroidism is very common in people older than age sixty, and it can be a contributing factor for other health issues like dementia.
Douyon is part of the health care team at the Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic at East Ann Arbor Health and Geriatrics Center. This subspecialty clinic treats general endocrine (hormonal) disorders with special emphasis on diseases that are prevalent in the elderly – diabetes, thyroid disorders, metabolic bone disease, and obesity.
Douyon points out that Former President George Bush was able to sky dive in honor of his 85th birthday after having his thyroid condition successfully treated. Douyon wants men and women with thyroid conditions to be aware that treatment is available.
Part of the awareness program presented by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists is the “check your neck”. You can visit the Web site so you can do your own check.
Keep Reading:
The American Thyroid Association has its brochures online.
