In a recent article, we discussed the specifics of Thyroid cancer and the symptoms. Cancer can attack any part of your body, with your thyroid gland being just one place.

At ThermApproach, located in Northwest Ohio, we can do an upper body scan that looks specifically at your thyroid. The results of the scan can aid your physician in answering the question; do you have a thyroid disorder. Thermography is safe, pain free, compression free and radiation free, and looks at your entire upper body.

About 20 million Americans—more of them women than men—are affected by a thyroid disease or disorder, according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA). In fact, an estimated one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder at some time in her life.[1]

It's important to understand what the thyroid does in your body and what symptoms may develop when it doesn’t function properly. Unfortunately, thyroid disorders or diseases are often overlooked and can go undiagnosed and therefore, left untreated. In fact, up to 60% of people with a thyroid disorder aren’t aware that they have a problem.

Your thyroid is arguably one of the most important parts of your body. As part of the endocrine system, this small gland in your neck secretes thyroid hormone, which is responsible for directing all of your metabolic functions—that means controlling everything from digestion to mood to energy.

The thyroid gland can malfunction in one of three ways:

It can release too much TH (thyroid hormone), a condition known as hyperthyroidism – an overactive thyroid. This causes your body’s metabolic rate to speed up. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness/irritability, weight loss, fast or irregular heart rate, intolerance to heat or increased perspiration. Changes in appetite and sleep disturbances, muscle weakness, shorter and lighter menstrual flow, and even more frequent bowel movements, can also be symptoms of an overactive thyroid. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Graves disease, where the body attacks the thyroid and causes it to overproduce TH.

It can release too little TH – a condition known as hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid. In this case, your thyroid doesn’t make enough of the hormone, therefore, all of your body’s important processes are slowed down. Weight gain, slow weight loss, decreased appetite, fatigue, rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, dry skin, heavy periods – all of these are hallmark symptoms of hypothyroidism. This happens because your cells are unable to work at their normal level of efficiency.

The thyroid gland’s tissue can overgrow. This results in a nodule or small lump in part of the gland. Thyroid nodules are the most common thyroid disorder occurring in up to 50% of people over the age of 50. Most nodules are harmless, and according to the ATA, less than one in 10 thyroid nodules are cancerous. [2]

Typically, a nodule has no symptoms. As a result, unless they become large enough to press against the windpipe causing difficulty swallowing or a cough, your physician would have no reason to ‘look’ for them. A nodule can, however, become overactive and suppress the rest of the gland causing hyperthyroidism.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your health care provider and have a conversation about a diagnosis and treatment.

Within that diagnosis, please call our office at ThermApproach to schedule your upper body scan today with an emphasis on your thyroid. Thermal imaging is pain free and radiation free. We utilize sophisticated infrared technology and innovative computer software to capture the images in the form of an infrared thermogram, or heat picture. All reports are interpreted by medical doctors that are Board Certified in Thermology. We then forward your report to you and your physician.

Before you can feel it, thermal imaging can see it.
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[1] “Thyroid Disorders: More Common than You'd Think.” HealthyWomen, www.healthywomen.org/content/article/thyroid-disorders-more-common-you%E2%80%99d-think.

[2] Marturana, Amy. “6 Common Thyroid Disorders And Their Causes.” SELF, SELF, 14 Sept. 2016, www.self.com/story/6-common-thyroid-disorders-and-their-causes.