The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the lower front of the neck and has an essential role in the body's good functioning. For an in-depth understanding of the gland, it can be seen as a central unit that secretes hormones responsible for the basic aspects of body function, designed to adjust the metabolism. Because each cell has thyroid hormone receptors, thyroid affections directly affect a person's health on multiple levels.

In most countries, the incidence rate has increased significantly, and researchers warn about the transformation of thyroid cancer into one of the leading causes of global mortality. Although specialists can't establish a major cause of the disease, there are several suspected causes such as the hereditary factor, autoimmune disorder, or a traumatic event. The disease can occur at any age and affects women in particular - about 10% of them develop postpartum thyroiditis. Moreover, researchers, specialists and patients alike believe that there is a close link between gluten and thyroid disease. According to some studies, 4.1% of the adults and 7.8% of children diagnosed also suffer from celiac disease - an autoimmune disorder which makes the body to react negatively to gluten.

In 2012, approximately 230,000 new cases of thyroid cancer among women and 70,000 among men were estimated. In this context, it is advisable to recognize the symptoms that may indicate this condition:

• Swelling of the throat
• Changes in heart rate
• Decrease or weight gain
• Hair loss
• Changes in general disposition: depression, fatigue, irritability, etc.
• Fluctuations in temperature: chills or excessive sweating
• Dry skin and fragile nails
• Muscle pain or cramps

People who recognize some of the symptoms mentioned are encouraged to schedule a visit to see a doctor for more research. Any untreated disease can cause further complications in time, endangering a person's health and impairing the quality of life. For this reason, accessing an international health insurance is an important step in the prevention or treatment phase.

References:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ijc.29251

https://www.glutenfreeliving.com/gluten-free/celiac-disease/gluten-thyroid-connection/

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