Thyroid Group Informative Speech Essay

Submitted By shellie8372
Words: 838
Pages: 4

Michelle Frattaroli, Timothy Watts, Rachel
Comm. 100.56A
Topic: Thyroid
General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: At the end of this speech, the audience will be able to discuss the basic Thyroid function and common thyroid disorders.
Thesis: The Thyroid is a vital gland that produces hormones circulated through the bloodstream to make all your organs work.

Introduction
I. The Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that is in the front of your neck and has two lobes that are connected by the isthmus (bridge) and is part of the endocrine system.
II. The thyroid produces two main hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).
III. The Thyroid delivers the hormones through the blood to all the organs; it regulates metabolism, growth and development, heart and nervous system and body temperature.(Hormone Health Network)
IV. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, 60 percent of these people are unaware of the condition. (A.T.A.)
V. This speech will cover the following: Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto’s Disease.
Main Body
I. Hyperthyroidism or sometimes called Thyrotoxicosis is an overactive thyroid or too much thyroid hormone in the blood. Hyperthyroidism causes different body functions to speed up. Individuals that are most likely to develop Hyperthyroidism: family history, anemic, B12 deficiency, type 1 diabetes, previous thyroid surgery, 60 years and old, women that have just had a child or within the last six months.
A. Causes: thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, consuming too much iodine, overmedicating underactive thyroid, pituitary adenoma. (MEMDIS)
B. Symptoms are: weight loss, rapid heartbeat, enlarged thyroid gland, irritability, nervousness, tremors, sensitivity to heat. (NEMDIS)(Mayo Clinic)
C. Anti-thyroid medications or radioactive iodine can be used to treat. (Mayo Clinic)
D. Side Effects if untreated: Arrhythmia, Cardiac dilation, sudden cardiac arrest, hypertension, infertility. (A.T.A)
E. About 1% of the US population has hyperthyroidism. (NEMDIS)
II. Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone for the body. When there is not enough thyroid hormone, the metabolism slows down and therefore the body’s functions slow down. Individuals that are most like to develop Hypothyroidism have had a thyroid problem before, had surgery to correct their thyroid, radiation to the thyroid, family history of thyroid, other autoimmune diseases, Turner syndrome, older than age 60, overmedicated hyperthyroid.
A. Causes: Hashimoto’s disease, thyroiditis, medications, radiation treatment of the thyroid, and surgical removal of part of the thyroid. (NEMDIS)
B. Symptoms are: fatigue, weight gain, puffy face, cold intolerance, joint and muscle pain, thinning hair, decreased sweating, depression. (NEMDIS)(Mayo Clinic)
C. Medications: Synthetic Thyroxine.(Mayo Clinic)
D. Side effects if untreated: heart disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypothyroid coma (myxedema coma), Addison’s disease, Anorexia or Bulimia. (NY Times) (A.T.A)
E. About 4.6% of the U.S. population ages 12 and older have Hypothyroidism. (MEMDIS)

III. Hashimoto’s Disease is an autoimmune disease that is also called Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis or Autoimmune Thyroiditis. In Hashimoto’s Disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation and interfering with its ability to produce thyroid hormones. It leads to reduced thyroid function. Individuals most likely to develop the disease are people between ages 30 and 50, runs in families, and other autoimmune diseases.
A. Symptoms: enlarged thyroid, fullness in the throat, and same symptoms of hypothyroidism. (NEMDIS)
B. Medications: Synthroid or Synthetic Thyroid (Levothyroxine). (NEMDIS)
C. Side effects if untreated: heart disease, birth