Is It Just Winter Or Is Your Thyroid Calling For Help?

Winter doesn’t exactly make anyone feel their healthiest. Maybe it’s the chilly temperatures, the marathon of holidays or the lack of daylight that makes staying healthy during the winter months feel so darn hard. Who can turn down a warm brownie while you’re snuggled up on the couch—right? 

While most of us assume winter health hurdles, like rough dry skin, weight gain, stress, low energy, are only temporary, could they actually be something more? Well, as it turns out, your thyroid may be sending out an SOS. Now you’re probably thinking, how could one little gland be responsible for all these different symptoms?

As the largest endocrine gland in the body—you have 9 endocrine glands total— it helps to regulate everything from energy levels and metabolism to body temperature, heart rate and more. When this gland isn’t up to snuff, which is the case for more than 25 million people, it could signal a common condition, like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Hyper vs. Hypo

To complete its lengthy list of tasks, the thyroid partners up with the pituitary gland. When the pituitary gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), your thyroid responds by producing T3 and T4 hormones, which is where the magic happens. When your thyroid is able to release enough T3 and T4 hormones, everything functions normally.

However, when your thyroid releases too much—it’s overactive—this is known as hyperthyroidism. On the other hand, if your thyroid releases too little—it’s underactive—which is known as hypothyroidism.

Seasonal or Significant?

Unfortunately, your thyroid doesn’t always make it easy to uncover an issue. Luckily, Rashmi Kulkarni, MD, a primary care provider with GMG's Covenant Family Medicine, has provided an investigative cheat sheet for all of those subtle symptoms. Here are the key signs your thyroid is having trouble:

1.    Sensitive skin. This time of year can wreak havoc on your skin. Those dry, rough patches of skin could be the result of hypothyroidism, which slows down skin cell turnover. On the other hand, if you notice skin that’s sensitive to the touch, as well as redness on your face and hands, hyperthyroidism may be the cause.

2.    Changes in weight. All those holiday treats don’t do your waistline any favors. However, if you do notice weight gain along with a decreased appetite, this may be due to hypothyroidism. While increased appetite, along with weight loss may signal hyperthyroidism.

3.    Discomfort. It’s normal to feel like a chilly nilly during the winter months, but if you’re always feeling cold—even with layers of blankets—this could signal hypothyroidism. However, if you’re burning up, and not because of that big wool sweater, it may be due to hyperthyroidism.

4.    Feeling off. Less daylight, cold temps and seasonal stress can spur on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which causes symptoms similar to depression. However, if you notice those symptoms along with forgetfulness and other cognitive issues, hypothyroidism may be culprit. Whereas hyperthyroidism may generate feelings of anxiousness, emotional swings and restlessness.

5.    Lethargy. Sometimes it seems like the winter months were made to stay inside, get cozy and watch movies. However, if that’s all that you want to do, day after day, you may have either hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Whether you’re fatigued after a full day of relaxing or a full day of going nonstop, with a thyroid condition, the result is the same = exhaustion.

6.    Digestive distress. All those festive treats may feel like heaven for your tastebuds, but the same can’t be said for your stomach. So if you’re backed up, regardless of what you eat, hypothyroidism could explain it. But if your colon feels more like a freeway, it may be hyperthyroidism.

Put it to the test.

Now, just because you’ve had one or more of these symptoms, there isn’t necessarily cause for concern. After all, it is winter. However, if 2 or more sounded all too familiar, it may be time to talk with your healthcare provider. The best—and only—way to really know the health of your thyroid is to have testing done.

Nestled in the heart of your community, GMC Health Park-Hamilton Mill offers a one-of-a-kind health care experience. From primary care and gastroenterology to orthopedic and imaging services, you and your family will receive complete care for all of your health needs. 

Would You Know Thyroid Cancer If You Had It?

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Let’s just start with the surprising truth—that thyroid cancer is becoming more prevalent and more deadly than ever before. So, what does this mean for you?

Well, if you’re a woman (of any age) and you have a thyroid condition (like 27 million Americans), thyroid cancer should be on your health radar.

Now, for the good news: thyroid cancer is generally easy to treat. But of course, like other types of cancer, early detection and routine screenings are essential. If you’re like most people, though, you may not know much about your thyroid—like where it’s even located. Not to worry, I-Wen Chang, MD, an oncologist affiliated with Gwinnett Medical Center, provides the 9 facts about thyroid cancer everyone should know:

   1. Cancer doesn’t stop your thyroid from working.

Your thyroid keeps your body’s systems in check. Thanks to the hormones it produces, your metabolism, heart rate and energy levels are all kept running smoothly.

Despite its small size, your thyroid is often able to function normally with cancer present. While this may seem like a good thing, a functioning thyroid may make cancer harder to detect, since there are no noticeable symptoms.

   2. The prevalence of thyroid cancer has tripled.

Even though the number of new diagnoses isn’t as high as breast cancer or colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer is actually the most rapidly-increasing cancer in the U.S. In fact, some experts estimate that the number of new diagnoses has tripled.

   3. Thyroid cancer is often diagnosed in women (of all ages).

75% of all thyroid cancer cases are women, but unfortunately, this isn’t surprising. For starters, women are twice as likely to have some of the most common thyroid conditions, like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. And these conditions, while treatable, do increase a woman’s risk of thyroid cancer.   

   4. You could have thyroid cancer and not know it.

Identifying thyroid cancer can be difficult. Not only does it typically present without symptoms, there also aren’t any routine screenings in place for thyroid cancer. So, because it’s able to develop under the radar, it often goes unchecked.

Yet another reason for this is the fact that nearly 80% of thyroid cancers are papillary, meaning they grow very slowly.

   5. Treatments are effective—if found early.

The success of thyroid cancer treatment is almost unheard of—nearly 100 percent of cases are cured. That’s because the surgical approach (typically used) is able to remove all of the cancerous growths, even if it’s spread to local lymph nodes. But let’s not forget—early detection is critical.  

Checking in on your thyroid.

The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump. While it may sound like it’d be hard to miss, the lump isn’t always obvious. So, to check yourself for a lump in your thyroid, follow these simple steps:

• Tip your chin up in the mirror and swallow.
• Look for a lump that moves up and down. Focus on the notch between the base of your neck and the top of your breastbone.
• If you notice something, it's always worth checking in with your doctor.

In the event that you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, you can count on the experts at GMC's Center for Cancer Care. With a new location opening in GMC Health Park-Hamilton Mill, you can receive nationally recognized cancer care, in a convenient location that's close to home. 

7 Surprising Things That Make Your Hands & Feet Fall Asleep

There’s nothing more annoying than when your hand, foot or (insert other appendage) starts tingling and eventually goes numb—you know the feeling. And what’s even worse—the pins and needles you feel as you try desperately to revive circulation and blood flow.

This familiar feeling, often referred to as a body part falling asleep, is actually just a result of pressure or compression. In medical terms, you’re experiencing paresthesia. Thankfully, though, this condition usually only lasts for a matter of seconds or minutes.

But what happens when no amount of shaking or wiggling can get the pins and needles to stop? Tingling sensations in the hands and feet for extended periods of time may be a symptom of an underlying condition. Here are some of the most common culprits:

You have a pinched nerve in your neck or back. Often times, a painful, tingling sensation that extends from your neck or back into your feet may be a sign of a pinched nerve. While this is typically the result of an injury or poor posture, further testing may be required to determine if you have an underlying condition such as arthritis.  

You have a vitamin deficiency. Tingling in the hands and feet may be the result of a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is typically only the case if the sensation occurs in both hands or both feet simultaneously. People with B12 deficiencies also often experience exhaustion, lethargy, and potentially, anemia.  

You have carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common injury that can cause pain and tingling in the hands and wrists. Repetitive motion and vibration can cause nerve damage which leads to the sensation. While less common, tarsal tunnel syndrome is a similar ailment affecting the feet.  

You have spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is characterized as the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck or back. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves which can cause a shooting tingling sensation. If untreated, the condition can worsen, potentially causing permanent nerve damage. 

You have diabetes. High blood sugar acts as a toxin to nerves and can cause tingling in the hands and feet, otherwise known as peripheral neuropathy. If you are experiencing excessive thirst or hunger and frequent urination in addition to the tingling, ask your doctor about getting tested.

You have hypothyroidism.An underactive thyroid can cause a plethora of side effects, one of which includes tingling in the hands and feet. Other symptoms include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, weight gain, dry skin and hair loss. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms you may need to speak to a doctorabout taking a synthetic thyroid hormone to help balance things back out.

You have multiple sclerosis. Tingling sensations, in addition to numbness and weakness, extending through the limbs can be a sign that you may have multiple sclerosis. If you are experiencing other symptoms including double vision, clumsiness and trouble controlling bathroom breaks, an MRI may be necessary to determine if you have the condition.

When you’re on pins and needles

While it’s nearly impossible to prevent paresthesia, or the feeling of a body part falling asleep, all together, you can minimize it. Make sure that you’re supporting healthy circulation by regularly getting up and walking around. If you just can’t seem to shake it off, your primary care provider can help.

The experts of GMG Primary Care will ensure you receive the customized care you deserve, from diagnosis to treatment. With a wide array of services, knowledgeable providers and an extensive range of resources through GMC, you can count on GMG Primary Care for all of your health needs from head to toe.

Your Hormones On Winter Weather

By: Sheila Warren, RN, GMC's Health Navigator

If winter leaves you feeling lethargic, irritable or just blah, there may be good reason. You may be surprised to learn that winter can affect your thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones, which is enough to make anyone feel like they have a case of the winter blues. In fact, everything from your mood and weight to digestion and sex drive are all impacted by your hormone levels.

So why does winter have such a big impact on our hormones?

Well the truth is there can be a number of factors that can cause a change hormone levels. Overall, though, winter weather may be to blame when it comes to seasonal hormone changes. For instance, it is believed that the cold temperatures may cause the pituitary gland to produce more thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Similarly, the lack of daylight during the winter months is largely responsible for a decrease in sex drive and adrenal hormones.

Thyroid Trouble

With winter comes cooler temperatures, and in an effort to stay nice and warm, your body’s need for TSH increases. Unfortunately, as your body demands higher levels of TSH, you may be left feeling some common symptoms of hypothyroidism—even if you don’t actually have this condition. Common symptoms you may notice include:

·         Fatigue

·         Dry skin

·         Constipation

·         Muscle weakness and/or tenderness

·         Depression

Give Your Thyroid a Tune-up

Despite the impact cold weather can have on your thyroid, you don’t have to suffer through fatigue all winter long. By routinely eating foods that are rich in thyroid-boosting nutrients, you’ll be supporting the health and effectiveness of your thyroid. Try to make these foods a part of your weekly menu:

·         Apples

·         Brazil nuts

·         Chicken

·         Yogurt

·         Salmon

·         Olive oil

·         Eggs

·         Garlic

·         Dark chocolate

·         Avocado

Lower Libido

While studies have shown that the holiday months are actually when people are most likely to conceive, it’s not uncommon for both men and women to experience a dip in sex drive.  There are a few reasons why winter may be cooling off your steamy encounters.

First, men typically experience a drop in testosterone levels during these months. As the hormone that’s largely responsible for sex drive, a dip in levels can lower sexual desire and sexual satisfaction.

Now for women, the likely culprit behind their low libido is the reduction in serotonin production. With lower levels of this particular hormone, it can be difficult to get in the mood and lead to a lack of interest in sex overall.

The good news is to remedy this sink in sex drive; exposure to light may be the perfect solution for both men and women. Studies have shown that light exposure can boost testosterone levels, as well as support the production of serotonin. And even better news, just 20 to 30 minutes of sunlight should do the trick.

How to have Healthy Hormones

Thanks to out-of-balance hormones, winter can often feel like a bit of a drag. So how can you you’re your hormone levels happy? As it turns out, there are simple, everyday ways you can support the health of your hormones, as well as overall health and wellness.

Be a snow bunny. Even though the cold weather may seem like a deterrent for outdoor exercise, it doesn’t have to be. Not only will this help to boost serotonin levels, it’ll help to avoid winter weight gain. And bonus, if you exercise outdoors, you’ll get some much needed sunshine.

Soak up winter rays. Whether you’re outdoors getting exposure to natural sunlight, or your using light therapy indoors, this can help to stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder, and promote healthy hormone levels.

Eat a balanced diet. Just because it’s winter is no excuse to not enjoy fresh produce. In fact, there are a surprising number of delicious fruits and veggies that are ripe for the picking. Try incorporating oranges, beets, pomegranates, turnips, leeks, kale, cranberries and more. 

Winter Wellness

The easiest way to enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season is to work with your primary care provider. As the specialist that knows you best, your primary care provider will ensure that you always receive the best care possible for all your winter health needs. 

And don't forget to mark your calendar for the upcoming GMC Women's Wellness Day. This innovative event provides women of all ages the opportunity to learn from some of the area's top health experts on how to make 2018 the best year yet!