By Ed of Allsup
It’s a small part of the body, but the thyroid gland can cause significant problems for people with thyroid diseases.
January is National Thyroid Awareness Month and a time when physicians work to raise awareness about thyroid health conditions.
You may not realize how many diseases involve the thyroid. They include:
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Hyperthyroidism
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Hypothyroidism
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Graves’ disease
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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
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Thyroid cancer
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Thyroid nodules
Treatment for many thyroid-related conditions has improved over the years with advances in medicine. But when conditions go undiagnosed and untreated, it may lead to unnecessary suffering.
SSDI and Thyroid Disease
In addition, the symptoms and side effects of some of these conditions and their treatment can be severe enough to require someone to stop working. That’s when it’s important to consider seeking Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, or SSDI.
The Social Security Administration does not have a medical listing specific to thyroid disease, but conditions may qualify for benefits under related categories.
These categories could include thyroid gland disorders, parathyroid gland disorders or malignant neoplastic disease (in other words, cancer). In order to receive SSDI benefits, your condition must be severe enough to keep you from any substantial gainful activity for 12 months or longer.
The thyroid is critical to the function of your body through organs such as the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
Signs of a thyroid problem may include muscle pains, neck discomfort, skin changes, cholesterol issues, fatigue or weight changes. With serious thyroid problems, the effects can alter your heart rate, blood pressure and result in serious issues because of heart disease.
To learn if you should apply for SSDI, contact Allsup at (800) 678-3276.
Find more information about thyroid conditions by going to www.ThyroidAwareness.com.
If you or someone you know has a thyroid condition, share your support on Allsup’s Facebook page during Thyroid Awareness Month.
