In this article, we explore thyroid gland disorders and long-term disability, including what they are, how they affect your ability to work, and what you should do to ensure your long-term disability (LTD) claim is well supported.
What Are Thyroid Gland Disorders?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that helps control your metabolism, breathing, and heart rate. It’s part of the endocrine system releasing hormones that control how fast your body metabolizes your food, so it plays a significant role in body weight. If your thyroid gland starts overproducing or underproducing hormones, it can wreak havoc on your body.
Two Types of Thyroid Gland Disorders
Hyperthyroidism
The first type of thyroid gland disorder is hyperthyroidism. This is when your body speeds up the production of your metabolism. You may initially feel like you have more energy, but eventually, your body will slow down faster.
Symptoms include:
- Excessive sweating;
- Excessive hunger;
- Fatigue;
- Dramatic weight loss;
- Muscle weakness;
- Mood swings and
- Abnormal heart rate.
Common hyperthyroid conditions are:
Graves Disease: an autoimmune disease that causes the overproduction of thyroid hormones. This is the most common type of hyperthyroidism.
Multinodular Goiter: an enlargement of the thyroid gland so that it overproduces the hormones.
There is no cure for hyperthyroidism. Treatment for hyperthyroidism can include medications to reduce the production of hormones or surgery to remove part of the thyroid.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. This is usually more common in women than in men.
Symptoms include:
- Feeling cold for no reason;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Forgetfulness and
- Chronic bowel movement issues.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s disease can be caused by other contributing factors like lupus, type 1 diabetes, and arthritis. Hypothyroidism is a disease that progresses slowly over months or even years.
There is no cure for hypothyroidism. Once diagnosed through hormone level testing, you must use hormone replacement therapy options like a daily pill to replace the hormones your body no longer produces.
Long-Term Disability Claims Involving Thyroid Gland Disorders
While some issues related to your thyroid gland can be treated with medication, not all thyroid issues can be resolved. If you suffer from a thyroid disorder that is debilitating to your life, you should apply for long-term disability benefits. On-going thyroid issues like hot and cold sweats, bowel movement issues, or chronic fatigue make it difficult to work. Furthermore, these symptoms could create a dangerous work environment for your co-workers or customers.
Seek Treatment from a Thyroid Disorder Specialist
Using a primary doctor is fine for minor colds or injuries; however, to create an effective treatment plan for your thyroid gland disorder, you should seek treatment from a specialist. A specialist who is trained to handle thyroid issues can provide a better plan for your long-term care and has experience in dealing with the side effects of hormone medications.
In addition to a treatment plan from a thyroid specialist, you will also need to gather documents to support your claim:
- Your group or individual disability insurance policy;
- Any performance reviews or disciplinary actions that indicate how your condition has impacted your ability to work;
- Your job description;
- Your medical records, including documentation of how your thyroid gland disorder has impacted your life, your medication list, and any results from tests such as blood work, imaging tests, and sleep studies;
- A journal of daily notes showing how your thyroid gland disorder has affected your life and any side effects from medications and
- Copies of all letters that the insurance company has sent you and you have sent them.
Consult an Attorney
Collaborating with an experienced disability attorney can help you build your best case and protect your rights. The Ortiz Law Firm is based in Florida, but represents disability insurance claimants anywhere in the country. You can receive a free case evaluation without obligation by calling (888) 321-8131. We will help you evaluate your situation to determine the best strategy for your claim.
