Pink Prescriptions - January 2026
Have You Had Your Thyroid Tested?
January 2026 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Have You Had Your Thyroid Tested?
The thyroid gland is often mentioned in conversations about energy, weight, and overall health, yet for many people its true role in the body remains unclear. Despite being a small gland located in the neck, the thyroid has a powerful influence over how the body functions, affecting everything from metabolism and heart rate to mood and temperature regulation.
It is frequently blamed when people feel tired, gain weight, or struggle to feel like themselves, but understanding how and why the thyroid works is rarely part of the discussion. To bridge the gap between common misconceptions and medical reality, we spoke with local physicians to ask the questions many people have but seldom get clear answers to. Here is what they had to tell us about the thyroid—what it does, why it matters, and how it impacts everyday health.
Dr. Kelsey Mijares
Beaufort Memorial Palmetto Medical Group
What is the thyroid, where is it located,
and what does it do?
The thyroid is a two-inch-long, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the front of your neck. It’s responsible for producing and releasing hormones that regulate your metabolism, which is the rate at which your body converts food into energy. These hormones also affect your digestive, cardiovascular, nervous, and reproductive systems.
There are several types of thyroid disease which can impact these systems within your body, including hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), enlarged thyroid and thyroid cancer.
What is hypothyroidism (underactive),
and what are the common symptoms?
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone. It may result from conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease, pituitary disorders, iodine deficiency or certain medications.
Common symptoms include unexplained weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, and, in women, heavy or frequent menstrual periods. Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, but it is more common in women, especially those who have been pregnant, as well as individuals with autoimmune disorders, a family history of thyroid disease or those taking medications that affect thyroid function.
Who is affected by thyroid problems?
Is it genetic? Is it preventable?
Family history is the largest predictor of thyroid issues. Having a family member with thyroid disease can put you at risk for developing the condition, as well as having an autoimmune condition like Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Other risk factors include being a woman, especially over the age of 60, and taking medication that is high in iodine.
There are ways to prevent developing thyroid conditions. The main method is to ensure your diet includes enough sources of iodine. Most people get adequate amounts of iodine through iodized table salt, but other foods high in the nutrient are soy products, cow’s milk and cheese, shellfish, eggs, and yogurt.
Dr. Kelsey Mijares is a board-certified internal medicine specialist who sees patients at Beaufort Memorial Palmetto Medical Group at 4818 Bluffton Pkwy. She specializes in the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and thyroid disease. She can be reached at 843-706-0600.
By Kyle McMillen, DO
Novant Health New Riverside Primary Care
What is hyperthyroidism (overactive) and what are the common symptoms?
Hyperthyroidism is defined by overproduction of the hormone produced by your thyroid gland, which essentially functions as the gas pedal of the body. Symptoms are similar to stepping on the gas too long, everything speeds up! Excessive sweating, feeling anxious or nervous, heart racing or palpitations, unintentional weight loss, and restless sleep are all manifestations of hyperthyroidism.
How does thyroid health affect weight, and will I have problems losing weight if I have a thyroid condition?
Thyroid function can affect weight as the hormone that it produces plays integral roles in cellular metabolic processes. Particularly, it functions to increase the body’s basal metabolic rate, meaning that the body starts accelerating energy. In other words, if you have too much thyroid hormone, your engine is burning hot and you can lose weight unintentionally. The reverse holds true as well—if you do not have enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), your engine is inefficient and you can start gaining weight due to no fault of your own.
Can thyroid problems cause other symptoms like hair thinning or
menstrual irregularities?
Yes, there are many other symptoms associated with thyroid dysfunction, including hair thinning and menstrual cycle changes. Hair loss is specifically more commonly associated with hypothyroidism. Decreased menstrual flow, including loss of menstruation, can occur in hyperthyroidism. Most of these changes have to do with the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis) and are reversible with treatment.
Dr. Kyle McMillen is an Internal Medicine physician with Novant Health New Riverside Primary Care. Believing that healthcare is a team effort, Dr. McMillen approaches patient care as a true partnership and sees his role as a coach—guiding, informing, and motivating each patient while patients themselves are active participants working toward their goals with his support. Dr. McMillen is accepting new patients—call (854) 235-2840 to schedule an appointment.
For Every 1,000 Americans, Up To...
8 Have Overt Hypothyroidism
130 Have Subclinical Hypothyroidism
5 Have Overt Hyperthyroidism
4 Have Subclinical Hyperthyroidism
• Thyroid Dysfunctions are often misdiagnosed
• Thyroid issue are more common in women
• A thyroid disorder can affect the entire body
Resources: endocrine.org, elitecarehc.com