Top UK surgeon discusses diseases of the thyroid gland, which are common, more so in Kentucky than in the rest of the nation

A thyroid exam (Photo by Antonio Diaz, iStock/Getty Images Plus)

By Dr. William Inabnet III

University of Kentucky

Twenty million people in the United States suffer from thyroid disease, and Kentucky has a higher rate of thyroid cancer than the rest of the country, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The thyroid gland is an organ that sits in the neck and controls the body's metabolism. The metabolism processes the food you consume and turns it into energy. Around 50% of the population develops thyroid nodules, yet only 5% of these nodules are malignant.

There are two types of thyroid disease: overactive and underactive. With overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), there is an excess of the thyroid hormone in the body which leads to the metabolic rate rising. This can lead to panic attacks, anxiety, heat intolerance, hair loss and palpitations of the heart.

The metabolic rate lowers when there is too little thyroid hormone being released (hypothyroidism). Depression, weight gain and thinning of the hair are all symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

Types of thyroid disease have names: Hashimoto's is the most common thyroid disease, leading to hypothyroidism. Graves’ disease is more dangerous than Hashimoto’s because the excess amount of thyroid hormone being pumped into the body can lead to hyperthyroidism.

What to look for: To monitor your thyroid health at home, there is a self-examination you can perform called “check the neck.” In this process, you are feeling for a lump, or nodule, on the thyroid gland.

Touch the thyroid gland where it sits over your airway on the neck. If you feel a lump — don’t panic. You can check in with your primary care provider for further care. Typically, an ultrasound is the best way to diagnose thyroid disease or cancer, followed by a biopsy on the nodule.

One of the first ways to check for a problem with your thyroid is to go to your primary-care provider and get a blood test. This cannot diagnose thyroid cancer but can check your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. This blood test can rule out conditions like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

The prognosis of thyroid cancer is very favorable. There is a combination of surgical therapy and other therapies indicated for this cancer. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your primary-care provider.

William B. Inabnet III, M.D., is UK HealthCare surgeon-in-chief and chair of the Department of Surgery in the UK College of Medicine.