January is Thyroid Awareness Month and many folks are not sure where the thyroid is or what it does. Although the thyroid is small, it plays a huge role influencing the function of your heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. It is important to make sure your thyroid is healthy and functioning properly, so here are some questions you can ask your physician. You can learn more or download a copy of these questions at www.thyroidawareness.com. There is additional information for support and education at https://www.thyroid.org/.
What to ask your Physician:
1) Where is the thyroid located, and what does it do?
2) What are the differences between hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients and what
are the symptoms of each?
3) What is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), how is it measured, and what should
my target number be?
4) What else besides TSH levels are important for making sure my thyroid condition is
under control?
5) Why are more people than ever being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and should I
be checked for it?