Thyroid Awareness Month January 2021

By Dr. Sravani Tanna, Consultant Endocrinologist, KIMS ICON Hospital Vizag.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland normally located in the lower front of the neck. It secretes thyroid hormones which help the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should.

The “GOITER” refers to the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is important to know that the presence of a goiter does not necessarily mean that the thyroid gland is malfunctioning. A goiter can occur in a gland that is producing too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), too little hormone (hypothyroidism), or the correct amount of hormone (euthyroidism).

Thyroid hormone plays an important role in growth and development. Before a baby is born and up to 3 years of life, thyroid hormone is very important for brain development.

Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland that can be present at birth (congenital hypothyroidism) or it can develop later.

Children born with congenital hypothyroidism can have severe cognitive, neurological and developmental abnormalities if the condition is not recognized and treated promptly. For many of these babies, thyroid hormone replacement therapy will be needed for their entire life.

Hypothyroid symptoms may include Tiredness  , Constipation , Increased sensitivity to cold ,dry skin, excess hair loss, depression, Irregular and/or heavy menstrual periods ,Weight gain ,decreased appetite , Slowing of height  gain –  in children.

There is no cure for hypothyroidism, and most patients have it for life. Hypothyroidism may become more or less severe, and your dose of thyroxine may need to change over time.

The ideal way to take levothyroxine is on an empty stomach, at least 1 hr before eating.  There are some other medications that should not be taken at the same time as levothyroxine, like calcium, iron supplements or antacids which should be separated by at least 4 hours.

If a patient is using high dose biotin .should be stopped 2 days prior to the thyroid labs being drawn.

Hyperthyroidism refers to any condition in which too much thyroid hormone produced by overactive thyroid gland. Some of the symptoms include nervousness, irritability, increased sweating, hand tremors, palpitations, frequent bowel movements, difficulty sleeping, losing weight despite good appetite, menstrual irregularities in women.

In Graves’ disease, a common form of hyperthyroidism, the eyes may look enlarged.

Because thyroid disease runs in families, examination of members of your family may reveal other individuals with thyroid problems.

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)