Dr. Milay Lam, the medical director and division chief of Meritus Endocrinology Specialists, warns against the misuse of thyroid supplements. Popular on social media, these supplements often promise to boost metabolism and reduce fatigue, but may actually endanger health.
The thyroid, a crucial gland controlling metabolism, is wrongly blamed for general health issues, according to Dr. Lam. Misguided treatments, particularly through unregulated supplements, can lead to severe side effects, including cardiac arrhythmias and decreased bone density.
Dr. Lam emphasizes that tiredness and weight gain are not always linked to thyroid dysfunction. Proper diagnosis often requires thyroid function tests, typically administered by primary care providers, rather than self-diagnosis via symptoms alone.
Thyroid issues are predominantly found in women and are increasingly diagnosed, though thyroid cancer mortality rates remain stable. Dr. Lam describes thyroid cancer as one of the “good cancers,” often treatable with surgery rather than chemotherapy or radiation.
With about 60% of people developing a thyroid nodule by age 70, most are non-cancerous, but require medical evaluation. Dr. Lam advises those noticing neck lumps or swellings to seek professional advice, potentially leading to further diagnostic procedures like ultrasounds or biopsies.
For more information on thyroid health and services at Meritus Endocrinology Specialists, visit their website at meritushealth.com/Endocrinology.
Photo credits to Meritus Health
