Three Facts About Thyroid Disease and Your Feet
January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month. How much do you know about thyroid disease and its possible effects on your foot health? Here are three facts that Cook County podiatrist Dr. Stavros O. Alexopoulos would like you to know:
- Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your throat. It is part of your endocrine system and is responsible for producing hormones that help regulate your metabolism. There are two types of thyroid disease: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition when the thyroid is underactive. Hypothyroidism, which is the much more common of the two conditions, occurs when the thyroid is underactive. Nearly five percent of Americans over the age of 12 have hypothyroidism.
- Signs of hypothyroidism include unexplained weight gain, fatigue, cold extremities, and joint pain. In the feet, this joint pain may have pain and inflammation symptoms that seem like arthritis but are a specific condition known as arthropathy. Untreated, the discomfort caused by arthropathy can make it challenging to wear shoes, stand, walk, exercise, or engage in daily life activities.
- Your podiatrist can provide treatment for thyroid-related foot issues with medication, physical therapy, and orthotics prescription, customized shoe inserts that offer improved cushioning and support. The creation of orthotics typically begins with a state-of-the-art foot scan followed by the delivery of a pair made just for you. These are medical devices like contact lenses or prosthetics and are covered by many insurance plans.
Everyone – men, women, and children of all ages – should see a foot doctor like Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, for an annual examination. With years of specialized training and experience, including a hospital residency, your podiatrist is a medical specialist and the best-qualified doctor to care for this part of your body. Schedule a visit to My Chicago Foot Expert’s modern Ravenswood office today. Call our friendly staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to get started.
