Treatment

Thyroid is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland. This gland is of weight 20-25 grams for a man, and this gland is present in front of neck. The thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones. It participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine which can sometimes be referred to as tetraiodothyronine (T₄). These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T₃and T₄ are synthesized from both iodine and tyrosine. The thyroid also produces Calcitonin, which plays a role in Calcium homeostasis. Hormonal output from the thyroid is regulated by Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced by the anterior pitutary, which itself is regulated by Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) produced by the hypothalamus.

Work:

Thyroid gland secrets thyroid hormones, which are responsible for equalizing the metabolic activities of the body. This gland is working under the pituitary gland of brain. When blood travels inside the thyroid gland(within one hour whole blood content is going in and will be coming out of the gland), iodine content is trapped as per the need. After trapping, this iodine content is preserved and used as per the body’s need.99.9% of Iodine is preserved in the thyroid gland, and the remaining 0.1% is preserved by salivary glands and intestines. Muscles, kidney and heart are handling large amount of iodine.

Goitre - emerged from the English word gut-ter. Goitre means enlarged thyroid gland. There are many reasons for this enlargement.

Hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone decrease):

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.Depression, exhaustion, tiredness, constipation, excess weight, cramps, dry skin, sexual disorders, infertility, these are few of all the problems caused because of hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism (thyroid hormone increase):

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. The condition is often referred to as an "overactive" thyroid. Nervousness, palpitation, exhaust ion, tremors, loss of weight, diarrhea, menstrual disorders, ex-ophthalmos are all caused because of hyperthyroidism.

Iodine deficiency Goitre:

Due to consumption of iodine less food like water, milk, fruits, vegetables, green leaves, both human beings and animals are affected. This disease is highly prevalent in Himalayas, Vindhyas, Nilgiris, Kerala, Karnataka and several other hilly regions in India. This can be eradicated if they use Iodine enriched salt.

Tumors occur because of many reasons, where some of them are due to allergy. One type of this disease is known as Hashimoto’s Thyroid disease. Most of the tumors occur because of tension. Cysts are formed because of the excess water content. Hemorrhagic cyst, non-cancerous tumor, cancer tumors will also come under this category. There are chances for non-cancerous tumors to turn into cancer. Tumor lumps can occur because of viral, bacterial and parasitic infection. During puberty, pregnancy and menopause, as the thyroid gland has to secrete a lot, the thyroid gland will enlarge. Later on they will be cured by themselves. If they are not cured then special care should be taken. When this problem occurs for kids, they are said to be affected by ‘cretinism’. Females are highly vulnerable for thyroid problems to the tune of 90%.

Other diseases related to Thyroid:

Vitiligo (white patches), Rheumatoid Arthritis (joint pains & swelling), Addison’s dieases, Diabetes, Pernicious Anemia, Low Bp and High Bp.

Thyroid tests:

• Blood test (T3,T4,TSH,FT3,FT4,ATG,AMA);
• scan - ultra sound scan, CT scan, MRI scan, Pet scan;
• FNAC - Fine needle Aspiration Cytology.

Who will require Thyroid tests?

1. People above 40 years of age;

2. People who are underweight/overweight[obesity](those who gain/loose 2-3 Kg of weight per month),

3. Those who always feel tired;

4. Those with abnormal heart beat;

5. Those having extra growth in their neck;

6. Women having menstrual problems;

7. Infertility cases;

8. People having thyroid diseases in their family.