Hashimoto’s disease is the most common thyroid disease in the United States, affecting 5 in every 100 people. An autoimmune disease that frequently leads to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormones), it is eight times more common in women. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), “Hashimoto’s thyroiditis occurs when … Read More
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). And it's not particularly rare: It affects 1 in 200 Americans. If untreated, Graves’ disease can cause serious health issues within many of the body's systems—and it even can prove fatal. Graves' disease is up to eight times more … Read More
You may have heard the term scleroderma but what does it mean? The first half of the word has roots in the Greek word "skleros," or "hard." The second half of the word, "-derma," means "skin." According to the American College of Rheumatology, “Scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis) is an autoimmune … Read More
Metabolic rate, or basal metabolic rate, is the energy—the number of calories—needed to perform basic body functions while the body is at rest. Chances are, your basal metabolic rate is a lot lower than you might guess. A calculator at www.calculator.net/bmr-calculator.html gives you a basal metabolic rate, using the Mifflin-St. Joer … Read More
Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder, characterized by low levels of thyroid hormones. According to The American Thyroid Association (ATA), more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. Hypothyroidism is like driving a car with the brake on: Your … Read More
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that weighs less than one ounce. It produces two hormones: triodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Thyroid hormones affect metabolism (the way the body uses energy), brain development, body temperature, muscle strength, skin tone, menstrual cycles, cholesterol levels, and weight gain. … Read More
