Debunking Common Thyroid Health Myths

 

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There are so many myths surrounding thyroid health. If you have a thyroid problem, the last thing you need is bad information coming from people who really don’t understand your condition. These myths can hold you back from healing and getting the correct care that you need to fully recover from your symptoms. They can also lead to self-diagnose, which is not a good way to go. Understanding these myths about thyroid will reduce your worry and help you know how to get T3 medication. Below are a few common thyroid health myths, debunked and explained.

4 Myths About Thyroid You Need to Know

Misconceptions about thyroid health are as common as the thyroid itself. The thyroid is one of the body’s most important glands. It’s a “butterfly-shaped gland” that wraps around the trachea or windpipe and produces hormones that regulate metabolism and growth. The thyroid gland uses iodine from food to make two hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones keep your body running smoothly, playing a vital role in keeping your brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should.

Unfortunately, many people misunderstand or don’t know enough about the thyroid. In fact, according to the National Academy of Hypothyroidism, 60% of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. To help you avoid falling into this category, we are debunking some common myths about this important gland. These myths include;

Thyroid Comes with Obvious Symptoms

Many people believe that thyroid disease comes with obvious symptoms, and it is easy to diagnose the disease. This is not the case because many people have thyroid but no symptoms at all. Some of the symptoms associated with thyroid disease are irregular periods, weight gain or loss, constipation, fatigue, etc. These symptoms can easily be overlooked, making thyroid disease hard to diagnose. The only sure way to know if you have thyroid is to get a thyroid test.

When Your Thyroid Symptoms Stops, You Can Stop the Medication 

This is one of the most common myths that mislead many thyroid patients. The reason why your thyroid symptoms have disappeared is because your T3 medication is helping you. Therefore, you should stick to them until your doctor tells you otherwise.

Having a Thyroid Nodule Means You Have Cancer

If you are worried that your thyroid nodule could be cancer, you need to stop worrying. Dr. Kellis says that thyroid nodules are mostly found in fewer women aged 40 years and above. She also adds that doctors find cancer in only 5% of thyroid nodules. If your thyroid nodule gets large and hard, the doctor will conduct a biopsy to determine if you have cancerous cells. 

Women Are the Only Ones Who Suffer from Low Thyroid Hormone Levels

The truth is that many women are diagnosed with an under-active thyroid, unlike men. But as much as that is the case, some men are also diagnosed with low thyroid hormone levels or hypothyroidism. If your family has a history of this disease, do not ignore it because you are a man, you could also suffer from the condition. Get regular check-ups from your doctor and ask for the correct thyroid diet. 

If you have a thyroid problem, it is important to familiarize yourself with the common myths and misconceptions about thyroid disease. It will help you know how to go about your thyroid problem. It is also important to ask your doctor about thyroid to understand it well.