MONTHLY FACT SHEET PUBLISHED BY THE FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES DIVISION By Dr. Danielle Y. Hairston Green, Program Specialist Reviewed by Dr. Milton Daley, Assistant Professor March 2016 Prairie View A&M University 936-261-5118
Nutrition Fact Sheet
Thyroid Disease and Prevention Your thyroid is a small, butterfly shape gland that is found in the front of the neck. The thyroid is responsible for the production of hormones that controls many of the body’s function: Brain, perspiration, mood, skin, energy, heart, etc. Men have been known to be diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction. However, thyroid dysfunction is more commonly found in women. Thyroid problems affect women’s menstrual period, causes infertility, and causes women to develop thyroid nodules (which is a swelling in one section of the thyroid gland). Thyroid dysfunction is a result of an imbalance of iodine in the diet. Iodine is a vital nutrient in the body and essential to thyroid function; thyroid hormones are comprised of iodine. While autoimmune disease is the primary cause of thyroid dysfunction in the United States, iodine deficiency is the main cause worldwide. Currently most table salt is fortified with iodine so that the public can get enough iodine in their diet.
The most common condition is hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function. According to Today’s Dietician, in the United States, hypothyroidism usually is caused by an autoimmune response known as Hashimoto’s disease or auto immune thyroiditis. This condition prevents hormones (T3/T4) from operating at its optimal level causing the metabolism to slow down which also increases
weight, causes fatigue, dry skin & hair, and difficulty concentrating. Hyperthyroidism, or high thyroid hormone production, is another common thyroid condition. The most prevalent form is Grave’s disease in which the body’s auto immune response causes the thyroid gland to produce
too much T3 and T4 hormones. Some symptoms associated with Hyperthyroidism is weight loss, high blood pressure, diarrhea, and a rapid heartbeat. Some physical characters include bulging eyes and enlargement of the throat. Not all individuals diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction require treatment however, thyroid medication (hormone replacement) have been prescribed to most patients to help get their thyroid back on track. Additionally, another disease that can affect the thyroid is thyroid cancer. Most individuals diagnosed with thyroid cancer simply have a nodule that doesn’t cause any symptoms. According to the United States office on Women’s Health, if you do have symptoms, you may have swelling or a lump in the neck, problems swallowing or a hoarse voice. Thyroid cancer is most often treated with surgery to remove the whole thyroid gland. Making healthy lifestyle choices would not only help strengthen thyroid function but it will also help prevent dysfunction.
Foods That Will Help Prevent Thyroid Disease (source: CDC, USDA, and Office on Women’s Health)
Strong, healthy families are the foundation of American communities, and family and community well-being is a shared priority of all Americans. Through research and education, the Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program’s Family and Consumer Sciences component helps strengthen families and communities. Family and Consumer Sciences area of focus include Nutrition and Childhood Obesity, Food Safety, Health and Wellness, Parenting, Financial/Money Management, and Bullying. The Family and Consumer Sciences Unit does not discriminate against anyone regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity. Member of the Texas A&M University System. Reference: Mayo Clinic and the Mayo Clinic Health Systems for Women’s Health, Centers Disease Control, Office On Women’s Health