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Thyroid gland is a soft, butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. Thyroid gland needs iodine to produce hormones, T4 and T3, which are essential to regulate metabolic processes in the whole body. The production of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) is controlled (called feedback mechanism) by brain via pituitary gland, which releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Disorders of the thyroid gland adversely affect the body’s structure or function. Thyroid problems are nearly 5-6 times more common in women.
The important disorders of the thyroid gland are discussed below:
Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder where the thyroid gland produces inadequate quantity of thyroid hormones. Some common hypothyroidism symptoms in women and men are:
Common hypothyroidism causes are:
Hyperthyroidism is relatively less common than hypothyroidism, a condition with abnormally high production of thyroid hormone. Some common hyperthyroidism symptoms in women and men are:
Common hyperthyroidism causes are:
An enlargement of the thyroid gland irrespective of the underlying cause is called a goiter. Not a disease in itself, goiter is an indication of an underlying problem such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or an abnormality of the thyroid gland.
Nodules or abnormal lumps within the thyroid glands can be formed due to non-cancerous tumors or cysts, or sometimes due to cancers of the thyroid gland. These nodules vary from small to large and single to multiple. Extremely large nodules of the thyroid gland can even compress the adjacent structures like windpipe (trachea).
Thyroid cancers are more common among elderly women, than men. Thyroid cancers are generally treatable. Most of the patients survive if detected early.
Your doctor or an endocrinologist may suspect a thyroid disorder on the basis of:
Laboratories may use different methods for performing the thyroid function tests. Hence, there are no ideal values for these tests. The results of such tests should be ideally interpreted by a physician or endocrinologist. In general, the normal ranges of these tests are:
If required, your doctor may suggest an ultrasound, thyroid scans and biopsy.
There are no specific, known foods or dietary supplements that can help treat thyroid disorders. Eating healthy is always important, even when one has no disease. The key to staying healthy is to eat the right variety of foods in the right proportions. Do not take any supplements, before consulting your doctor or endocrinologist.
Some food elements like calcium in milk, soya etc. may interfere with absorption of thyroid medications. Hence, there should be a gap of at least four hours between the medicines and such food items.
In general, for thyroid disorders with hormone imbalance (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), medications are prescribed. However, surgery may be required for thyroid cancers and some thyroid nodules. Treatment will depend on the particular disease of the thyroid.
Your doctor or endocrinologist will prescribe medications in the form of oral pills, to make up for the lesser T4 and T3 hormones being produced by your own thyroid gland.
Your doctor will prescribe medications which prevent the release of T4 and T3 hormones from the thyroid gland or decrease their production. When hyperthyroidism cannot be managed with medications, your endocrinologist may suggest radioactive ablation, where radioactive iodine is used to destroy the excessively working thyroid tissues.
To know more about thyroid disorders and their treatment, you can request for a call back and our thyroid specialists will call you and answer all your queries.
“The content of this publication has been developed by a third party content providerwho are clinicians and/or medical writers and/or experts. The information contained herein is for educational purpose only and we request you to please consult a Registered Medical Practitioner or Doctor before deciding the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.”