5 things you should know about thyroid function

4. Thyroid cancer can usually be treated successfully.
People who received radiation therapy to the head during infancy or childhood and those who have developed a goitre as a result of either too little or excessive amounts of iodine are at increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. A hallmark of thyroid cancer is a lump or swelling in the front of the neck. Diagnosis is made following analysis of a small amount of tissue from the thyroid gland. Treatment consists of destroying the gland with radioactive iodine or surgically removing it. Either way, people will require lifelong thyroxine therapy to compensate for the loss of their natural hormones.

5. Postpartum thyroiditis, a thyroid dysfunction following childbirth.
• It may be confused with postpartum blues or the "tired mother" syndrome.

• An estimated 50 per cent of women in their childbearing years who develop an episode of thyroiditis do so as a result of a recent pregnancy.

• It is usually transient and doesn't typically require treatment.

• New mothers should have their thyroid function checked to ensure hormone levels are in balance.

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