Thyroid Disorders - Symptoms and treatment

What are the common thyroid disorders? 







Thyroid disorders are those conditions that affects the thyroid gland. Thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland that is located in front of neck. It secretes thyroid hormones which influences the metabolic rate of body, protein synthesis and plays a major role in growth and development of children. Hormones produced by thyroid gland are T3 (triiodothronine, T4 (Thyroxine) and a peptide hormone, calcitonin by utilizing iodine. Secretion of these hormones is regulated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by anterior pituitary which is regulated by Thyrotropin releasing hormone produced by hypothalamus. 

Any dysfunction in this butterfly shaped gland leads to thyroid disorders or disease that may affect structure or function. 

MOST COMMON DISORDERS :


-HYPOTHYROIDISM

-HYPERTHYROIDISM

-GOITRE

-THYROID CANCER

-THYROID NODULES


WHAT IS HYPOTHYROIDISM? 





It is a condition in which thyroid gland doesn't produces sufficient thyroid gland and problem might occur either in hypothalamus, pituitary gland or thyroid gland itself. In early stages sometimes the symptoms may not be visible but as basal metabolism rate decreases symptoms begin to appear as weight gain and fatigue

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS :

  • Fatigue
  • Increase Sensitivity to cold
  • Weight gain
  • Dry skin
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Puffy face
  • Increased blood cholestrol
  • Thinning of hair
  • Constipation
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Poor concentration

Sometime infants born with no thyroid gland or gland which doesn't work properly. In such infants there is :

There is yellowing of skin, a large protruding tongue, difficulty in breathing and have hoarse crying. 

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT? 

  • The condition is managed with replacement of the thyroxine hormone which is usually given as an oral supplement. 
  • Levothyroxine is the synthetic version of the T4 hormone that copies the action of the thyroid hormone your body. And they are readily available online ,  you can always buy them from online chemist shop. 
  • It is very important to have a balanced diet which consist  of whole grains, beans, lean proteins, and fruits and vegetables that should provide enough iodine.

WHAT IS HYPERTHYROIDISM?



The condition in which there is excessive production of thyroid hormone that is T4, T3 is known as hyperthyroidism. 
It occurs in Grave disease, autoimmune disease of thyroid and in cases where the key component, iodine is excess in body. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? 

Hyperthyroidism being a hypermetabolic state there is elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Other symptoms are:

Weight loss

Tremors

Exopthalmosis in case of Grave disease

Goitre 

Irregular menstruation

Palpitations

Elevated heart rate

Increased chest pain

Diarrhoea

Increased apatite

Brittle hair and hair loss


WHAT IS THE TREATMENT? 


It is treated by various modalities like  medication, radiotherapy or surgery. 

Medication involves the use of drugs that suppress thyroid function such as propylthiouracil, carbimazole and methimazole 

 Radioactive Iodine -131 can be used alternatively to destroy thyroid tissue. It effectively destroys cell that produce thyroid tissue. 

A part or entire gland is removed surgically to control the condition.  Also beta blockers like propanol is given to patient to control rapid heart rate, palpitations and tremors. 


WHAT IS GOITRE? 



The enlargement of thyroid gland is known as Goitre and it occurs due to iodine deficiency and can be seen in cases of hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases. Mostly symptoms are not seen in such cases except pain and enlargement. 
Usually no treatment is required for is required for goitre in cases where there is no symptom. 
If required, it is treated by surgery. 


WHAT IS THYROID NODULE? 




Sometimes a lump is formed in the gland which is known as thyroid nodule. It is of different types like colliod nodule, thyroid cyst, inflammatory nodule and hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule. Few nodules are cancerous like follicular, medullary or papillary. 

It is important that patient undergo CT scan or MRI of thyroid nodules. Main purpose of evaluating nodule is to determine whether its cancerous or not. 


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? 


Difficulty in swallowing

Difficulty in breathing

Hoarse voice

Pain

Goitre

Also condition leads to hyperthyroidism due t o overproduction of hormone. 


WHAT IS THE TREATMENT? 

Surgical removal of thyroid nodule is required only if condition is malignant along with which surrounding tissue is removed to prevent reoccurance.  Patient must be closely watched. 

In non cancerous cases where patient develops hyperthyroidism, the condition can be treated with medication.  And in this era medicines can be bought online from best pharmacies like online medicine store in India. 































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