Thyroid 101
Why are we talking about the thyroid? It’s time to celebrate the hormone-producing gland! Do you know that January is Thyroid Awareness Month? Thyroid disorders affect Americans each day, and some people may not even know they have an undiagnosed condition. At PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center, our team of doctors is here to help with the early detection of a disorder.
Do you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism? If these words sound unfamiliar, keep reading. Could you locate your thyroid on your body? Stick around for more information about the location of this small gland.
Thinking about your thyroid
It may be easy to forget about this gland and all it does. When you think of how it impacts the entire body, you may view it a little differently. The thyroid produces a gland that controls our metabolism, which is a process that converts our nutrients to energy. Our metabolism can also impact our heart rate and energy level. Unfortunately, many people are walking around without any knowledge that something may be wrong with this process.
Spotting the signs
The two major problems for the gland are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. You guessed right — either the body produces too much or too little of the important hormone. Signs of the disorders can range from weight gain to vision loss to fatigue. With weight gain, a patient may notice swelling in their feet and ankles. Over time, this can also cause joint pain.
Understanding the impact
As you’ve been reading, the gland can often take a backseat to overall health. Consider that up to 60% of people in our nation have a thyroid disorder and are unaware of their condition. Women are also at a higher risk of being diagnosed with this gland-specific disorder. When you think of how the gland impacts your body’s metabolic function, it should spur you to act fast if you have concerns.
In 2022, we hope to empower our patients as they understand more about their bodies. Our feet and ankles are often the first places to detect overall health problems. We encourage you to inspect your feet daily and keep communicating with your care team. We hope we’re included!
Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.