Overview

The thyroid gland produces hormones that help to keep the body functioning normally. If the gland makes too much or too little of these hormones, it’s called a thyroid disease. If the thyroid gland is not working properly, it can result in a serious health problem. It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible once a problem is diagnosed so that it can be treated effectively.

Today, Dr. BM Rathore –Consultant Family Medicine & Diabetes Specialist will provide us with an overview of thyroid problems and how to treat them.

What is Thyroid?

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck, just above the collarbone. The function of the gland is to make hormones that have an enormous impact on health. The main hormone is thyroxine, also called T4. Thyroid hormones act throughout the body, influencing metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature.

The main purpose of the thyroid gland is to release and control thyroid hormones that control metabolism. Metabolism processes the food into energy which helps to keep many of the body’s systems working correctly. These include how fast we burn calories and how fast our heartbeats.

Thyroid Problems

There are two main thyroid problems, namely:

• Hyperthyroidism - when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs. Using energy too quickly will cause tiredness and make the heart beat faster. It will cause weight loss without trying.
• Hypothyroidism - when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones. It can cause tiredness, weight gain and sensitivity to cold temperatures.

Both these disorders can be caused by a variety of conditions. They can also be passed down through families (inherited).

Risk Factors

Anyone can be at risk for a thyroid problem – men, women, and children. However, women are more likely to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition, especially after pregnancy and menopause. Anyone can be at a higher risk of developing thyroid disease if they have:

•   Family History

•   Other medical conditions e.g. diabetic

•   Infertility

•   Extreme weight gain/loss

•   Iodine deficiency

•   Older than 40 years

•   Treatment for a past thyroid condition orcancer 

Symptoms

There area variety of symptoms of a thyroid condition that are sometimes difficult to diagnose as they are often similar to the signs of other medical conditions.

Dr. Rathore provides us with some symptoms which are common for both of thyroid problems, they include:

•   Fatigue

•   Anxiety and Irritability

•   Weight gain/loss

•   Feeling very hungry

•   Increased sensitivity to cold

•   Extreme hair fall

•   Sleep/drowsy

•  Dry skin

•  Joint/muscle pain

•  Mood swings

•  Constipation

•  Neck swelling

Diagnosis & Treatment

If someone is experiencing any of the above symptoms, then it is recommended to visit a doctor immediately. The doctor will perform blood tests to measure the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone (thyroxine or T4) in the blood. The pituitary gland releases TSH to stimulate the thyroid to produce its hormones.

The main treatment for an over or underactive thyroid is medication, but in some cases, surgery might be needed to remove the thyroid gland, as per the doctor’s recommendation. Dr. Rathore says, “Thyroid diseases are lifelong but treatable conditions. However, if untreated, thyroid disease can cause elevated cholesterol levels and subsequent heart disease, infertility, muscle weakness, osteoporosis and, in extreme cases, coma or death”.

If the thyroid disease is not treated at the right time, it can develop into thyroid cancer. Most people with thyroid cancer do not have any symptoms but if there is a swelling or a lump in the neck then the doctor can help diagnose it through certain tests.

Conclusion

A healthy body requires a healthy routine such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and getting tested regularly as directed by the doctor. The thyroid disease is not preventable however, early intervention is the key to avoiding any further complications.

To book an online or physical consultation session with Dr. BM Rathore – Consultant Family Medicine& Diabetologist click on the link https://www.shifaam.com/doctors/karachi/diabetologist/bm-rathore-420 or download the Shifaam Health App now from Google Play (bit.ly/2JqZo3C) or the iOS App Store (apple.co/2QUVxQz), callus at 021-37132273 or WhatApp 0347 7222273 us today!