When the thyroid becomes ill, it affects the entire body. So it is important to test the thyroid gland and be aware of its role. Check the functions of the thyroid gland in the body. What are the effects of thyroid disease?
According to the estimates of endocrinologiststhyroid dysfunctionhas every fifth Pole, but most of us are not aware of it.Diseases of the thyroid glandaffect mainly women who do not even suspect that it is because of this tiny gland that they have serious he alth problems.
What do we know about the role of the thyroid gland in the body?
The knowledge of the average Pole about the role of the thyroid gland in the body, about how disorders manifest themselves and what their he alth effects are. Public opinion polls conducted by the Millward Brown SMG / KRC Institute showed that at least 66 percent. people aged 30-70 years have observed at least one symptom of a disturbance in the work of this gland, and 46 percent. noticed two or more symptoms, it is only 27 percent. diagnosed with thyroid disease. Their symptoms are associated with other diseases or with aging. Nervousness, palpitations, and excessive sweating are attributed to menopause, constant freezing is attributed to poor peripheral circulation, and joint pain - to rheumatism. Behind these ailments may be thyroid diseases, but we do not think of it because we do not know their symptoms well - as much as 44 percent. respondents could not provide any. These studies also showed that little is known about the consequences of untreated thyroid dysfunction. Only 18 percent. people said that their effect may be coronary heart disease, and 16 percent. - arterial hypertension, while as much as 56 percent. It is disturbing that women, who suffer from thyroid dysfunction 8 times more often than men, are not aware of their impact on fertility, pregnancy termination, he alth not only of their own but also of their offspring . This has been proven by studies conducted by the Millward Brown SMG / KRC Institute on women of reproductive age - 20-45 years. Only 16 percent. of the respondents knew that untreated thyroid diseases can cause miscarriage and premature birth, 17% - problems with getting pregnant, and 12% that they can be a source of birth defectsfetus and impair the child's psychophysical development.
Who tests the thyroid?
Since we know so little about the thyroid gland, it's no wonder we don't control it. But as shown by last year's research by TNS OBOP, primary care physicians do not pay enough attention to it either. Only 20 percent. The internist examined the thyroid gland by palpation. Even fewer people were referred to him for blood tests to measure their thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or ultrasound. As much as 87 percent in recent years, the respondents were not commissioned to perform any of these studies. The remaining 33 percent. people were referred for tests mainly due to fatigue or insomnia, excessive excitability, weight changes. Nobody mentioned infertility as the cause. Also, tests for thyroid diseases are not often recommended for women who are planning to have a baby or are pregnant, and each of them should have tested levels of TSH and anti-TPO antibodies. Why do doctors show little interest in the thyroid gland? The likely cause is the current he althcare system which leaves them little time to examine the patient. But probably not only. The case probably has its financial aspect as well. The National He alth Fund saves on examinations, especially preventive ones, but at the cost of our he alth.
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