In advance of Thyroid Awareness Month, LetsGetChecked commissioned a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults to see how knowledgeable the general public is about the human body, through a series of multiple choice questions.
68% of people believe that they are knowledgeable when it comes to the human body, however the results of the survey prove that this is not the case.
Do you know where the thyroid gland is located? If the answer is no, you’re not alone.
Only 45% of people responded correctly that the thyroid is located at the base of the neck, along the windpipe. 11% of people believe that the thyroid is located behind the ribs, underneath the heart.
The survey also sought to find out who the general public turns to when they feel unwell, A worrying 65% of respondents have used the internet to self-diagnose themselves and 2 in 5 people have convinced themselves that they have a serious illness after researching their symptoms online.
Dr. Robert Mordkin, Chief Medical Officer for LetsGetChecked says: “The results of the survey show us that a significant number of people are living with on-going, negative day-to-day symptoms that they either don’t understand or misdiagnose. Many of these symptoms can be associated with thyroid issues.”
Today, it is reported that up to 60% of those living with thyroid issues in the United States are unaware of their condition. The results of the survey illustrate that a significant proportion of people avoid going to the doctor which may lead to living with negative ongoing day-to-day symptoms associated with a thyroid condition.
22% of respondents mistakenly believe that the thyroid is part of the respiratory system, instead of the endocrine system (37% answered correctly).
The piece of information respondents were most likely to know about the thyroid was its function, but even then, less than half (46%) were aware that the thyroid produces and stores a variety of hormones.
The LetsGetChecked survey highlights that there needs to be better awareness around thyroid health.
This Thyroid Awareness Month, it's time to get in the know when it comes to the symptoms of thyroid issues, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid condition, and the cause of thyroid issues is widely unknown.
The most common thyroid conditions involve the over or under-production of thyroid hormones.
Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid occurs the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones.
Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Increased sensitivity to the cold
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Mood changes (Depression, irritability)
Hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid occurs when the thyroid produces a high volume of hormones.
Some of the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased sensitivity to the heat
- Increased appetite
- Mood changes (Including anxiety, nervousness and irritability)
Have you ever taken a Thyroid Blood Test?
With LetsGetChecked, you can take a thyroid blood test from the comfort of home, with online results available within one week and on-going support and guidance from the LetsGetChecked medical team.
Written by Hannah Kingston
