How to Check Your Thyroid Gland

Checking your thyroid gland is an important and easy way to make sure that your thyroid is functioning normally.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• mirror
• hands

1. 
    

   Stand in from of a mirror, or us a hand mirror, and look at the area where your neck meets your chest. Right in the front is the area where you can find the thyroid gland. You can see this gland in the image here.

2. 
    

   Next, swallow slowing while looking at this area in the mirror, looking for unusual bulges or lumps. If you see any lumps don't panic! Thyroid nodules are very common and over 95% of them are benign.

3. Finally, massage the thyroid are with your fingers. You will be checking to see if your thyroid gland feels big, lumpy, or "full".

4. If you find you have any abnormalities while checking your thyroid gland do not worry. Simply make an appointment with you local doctor or with an endocrinologist. You may need to take a small thyroid replacement pill or anti-thyroid medication.

[DandelionMom]

on 1/6/2009 Thanks! I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's about 3 years ago and I am always telling people to check their thyroids now:)

[ReuseItAll]

on 1/6/2009 Terrific information! I've been hypothyroid for years and was also diagnosed with thyroiditis so I am really nervous about my thyroid health. Thanks for posting an article about it. Many people still don't know they even HAVE a thyroid!!! Great photos too!