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Jessica Papenfuss
Professor Staker
Biology 1010
21 April 2016
Papenfuss 2
Thyrogolublin
is
combination
of
the
two
hormones
Papenfuss 3
condition may last until the thyroid becomes more regulated or it could last a
lifetime. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent hyperthyroidism because
this can be a hereditary condition.
Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid doesn't make enough
hormones to keep the body functioning correctly. The thyroid isn't able to
sustain its metabolism so symptoms result from the metabolism being too
slow. The estimates vary, but approximately 10 million Americans have this
common medical condition." (Norman, James MD). These ten million
Americans have two main causes for hypothyroidism: inflammation of the
thyroid gland or medical surgeries involving the thyroid. Hypothyroidism can
be diagnosed with a simple blood test which checks the TSH and T4 hormone
levels. If the T4 hormone level is low it determines that the patient has
hypothyroidism, and a pill called Levothyroxine is prescribed.
Dr. Norman
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the thyroid to enlarge to an abnormal size. The Goiters treatment depends
upon the condition of the thyroid. If the goiter is from an iodine deficiency,
iodine supplements can be given to reduce the size, but unfortunately the
goiters condition will not completely go away. The Goiters condition that
comes from hypothyroidism can be given a thyroid hormone supplement to
balance out the thyroid levels. This supplement may not reduce the thyroid
in size but it will prevent it from getting any larger. With hyperthyroidism
radioactive iodine is given to decrease the size or can make the goiter
completely disappear. Surgery to remove the goiter is not very common
because doctors recommend supplements or radioactive iodine depending
on the thyroid's condition.
Unfortunately, another problem regarding the thyroid is thyroid cancer.
Luckily, thyroid cancer is usually found in time for it to be treated. WebMD
states, But like other cancers, changes in the DNA of your cells seem to play
a role. These DNA changes may include changes that are inherited as well as
those that happen as you get older." Thyroid cancer can be genetic or can be
caused by too much exposure to radiation. Thyroid cancer has several
symptoms which include: swelling in the neck, pain in the neck, trouble
swallowing, trouble breathing, and a hoarse voice. This cancer is treated with
surgery and radioactive iodine. Surgeons can remove the thyroid and the
cancer, which means the patient will be on hormone replacement
supplements for the rest of their life. Unfortunately, thyroid cancer can
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reoccur, but medical practices treating thyroid cancer are continuing to
improve.
It is clear that better education is needed to stop this silent killer. With 20
million people suffering from some form of thyroid disease, this is now more
important than ever. Whether a person has hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism,
goiter, and thyroid cancer, they all can be treated. However, most people
don't know the symptoms which is why early education is so crucial. If more
people knew of their condition they could quickly improve the quality of their
life.
Works Cited
Papenfuss 6
Norman,
James.
Hypothyroidism:
Too
Little
Thyroid
Hormone.