|
|
Health
Keeping Thyroids in Order
by Fehmida Zakeer
When Renuka, a fitness instructor in her 40s, found her energy levels
dipping, she attributed it to the inevitable signs of ageing. But when
she developed intense muscle pain and cramps in her legs she decided to
see her doctor, who diagnosed it to be the result of a thyroid
dysfunction.
The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland, produces two hormones -
thyroxineT4 and triiodothyronineT3. These hormones control the amount of
energy used by the body to maintain vital processes such as breathing,
circulation and digestion. In a study conducted in early 2006 by the
Department of Endocrinology, Amrita Institute, Kochi, women were found
to be nine times more prone to suffer from thyroid dysfunction.
Thyroid dysfunction occurs when the gland either fails to produce enough
hormones or produces them in excess. Too little production denotes
hypothyroidism, due to which activities of the body slow down.
Under-activity of the thyroid gland can be caused by an auto-immune
reaction called Hashimoto's disease, overdosing of medications for
hyperthyroidism, iodine deficiency, certain drugs used in the treatment
of depression, heart problems, radiation therapy for tumors of neck,
head etc.
Over-activity of the gland causes hyperthyroidism, which makes body
processes gallop at a faster pace than is necessary. Hyperthyroidism is
commonly triggered by autoimmune disorders though it can also result
from overdosing for a hypothyroid problem. If untreated, it may result
in heart failure.
Dr Hiramalini Seshadri, Senior Consultant, Holistic Internal Medicine &
Rheumatology, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, lists the common symptoms of
hypothyroidism: weight gain, swelling of feet, puffy face, sluggishness,
constipation, excessive menstrual bleeding, dry skin, hair loss,
depression, poor memory and intolerance to cold.
Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, can cause weight loss, palpitations,
diarrhea, anxiety, scanty periods and hot flushes. Patients with
hyperthyroidism may also develop eye problems in the form of itching,
redness and swelling.
Treatment involves taking some tablets but it is crucial to ensure the
right dosage, says Dr. T.K Sabeer, Endocrinologist, Diacare Centre for
Diabetes and Endocrinology, Kannur, Kerala. "Too much may cause bone
loss, osteoporosis, cardiac arrhythmias, while too little can lead to
higher cholesterol levels and increase in blood pressure."
According to Dr. Kamala Selvaraj, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, G.G
Hospital, Chennai, patients may be asymptomatic till a close examination
reveals mental sluggishness, slow speech, a low pitched voice, delayed
reflexes, low body temperature and decreased heart rate.
A simple blood test can determine malfunctions of the thyroid gland. The
most sensitive test involves checking the value of Thyroid Stimulating
Hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary gland. Screening for autoimmune
causes of thyroid dysfunction involves checking for the presence of
specific antibodies. Cancerous conditions may cause a distinct nodule or
lump on the gland. As far as cancer of the thyroid is concerned, Dr.
Arpandev Bhattacharyya, Consultant Endocrinologist at Manipal Hospital
in Bangalore, is confident that a diagnosis at the correct time has a
high rate of success.
After diabetes, thyroid problems are the most common glandular disorder
the world over. In fact, it has been found that diabetics have higher
prevalence of thyroid problems and this is also one of the causative
factors for difficult diabetes, informs Dr. Sabeer.
"Hypothyroidism is more common in women and is accompanied by menstrual
irregularities and bleeding problems. This can lead to an ovulation and
cause infertility," says Dr. Selvaraj. Of the 2,882 patients treated for
infertility in 2004-05 at G G Hospital, 153 were thyroid patients. Out
of these, hypothyroidism accounted for 110 infertile cases. "But
adequate clinical or surgical therapy can help control the disease and
also aid fertility," she says.
Untreated thyroid problems can push up the rate of miscarriages and
premature deliveries, says Dr. Sabeer. Dr. Selvaraj agrees that patients
with hypothyroidism have a higher incidence of abortions, pre-eclampsia
and intrauterine growth retardation. Similarly, post-partum thyroiditis
can occur after delivery, a molar pregnancy and also after miscarriages.
"This may subside after delivery or after termination. However, though
the condition is normally self limiting, a significant proportion of
women may acquire a life-long dysfunction," she says.
It is vital to check for hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, especially
when there is excessive vomiting, weight loss, high blood pressure and
persistently fast heart beat, since the same maternal and fetal
complications triggered off by hypothyroidism can happen in this case
too.
Treatment for hyperthyroidism involves radioactive iodine, medications
or surgery in extreme cases. Patients are given radioactive iodine only
if they are not pregnant or lactating since this can affect the baby.
An imbalance of thyroid hormones during pregnancy can also result in
babies acquiring thyroid problems at birth. Dr. Selvaraj cautions:
"Those mothers who are on anti-thyroid medication are also at risk of
producing babies who are hypothyroid. Treatment of fetal hypothyroidism
is important because it may affect the physical skills of the baby."
Thyroid hormones are said to play an important part in the maturation of
the brain and the physical growth of both the fetus and the newborn.
Thyroid disorders occur one in 3000 to 4000 babies and are more common
in girls than boys. Usual symptoms are poor appetite, sleepiness and
prolonged jaundice after birth. If not diagnosed early, the infant's
physical and mental development could be delayed.
Thyroid dysfunction can manifest in growing children too in the form of
mental and physical retardation. Symptoms include unusual weight
loss/gain, deteriorating school performance, irritability, hyperactivity
and prominent eyes. "Only a few children develop obvious symptoms like
goiter," says Dr. Bhattacharyya.
"The early symptoms of thyroid disorder are most often mistaken for
depression, stress, menopause or ageing, and patients remain
under-diagnosed until a vigilant health care professional detects the
problem," rues Dr. Bhattacharyya - and indication of the low awareness
levels regarding this disorder. "There is much cause for concern here,
since the problem is completely curable."
December 17,
2006
By arrangement with
Women's Feature Service
Top
|
Health
The Week of December 17, 2006
India: The Shining, The Suffering and The
Pampered by Dr. Subhash Kapila
Modus Operandi of Empires by Gaurang Bhatt, MD
China: Balancing Power Relations in South and
South-East Asia
by Col. Rahul K. Bhonsle
Special Economic Zones: Boon or Disaster? by
Ramesh Menon
Manmohan Singh's Dangerous Declaration of 2006
by V. Sundaram
Health of Nations by J. Ajithkumar
Is there non-discriminatory Rule of Law in India?
by V. Sundaram
In Their Right Minds by Linda Light
Ethnic Issue Overtakes Nepal's Class War? by
Rita Manchanda
Looking Ahead in Gujarat by Manjari Sewak
Look Who's Talking! by Manisha Parekh
World Brotherhood: Love and Peace through
Poetry by Shernaz Wadia
Science, Arts and Literature for Human Culture
by TA Ramesh
River from the Land of Mystique Spells Doom
by VK Joshi
Keeping Thyroids in Order by Fehmida Zakeer
HIV/AIDS Bill -Pushing the Legal Envelop by
Kajal Bhardwaj
Papiya Ghosh: From JS to an End by Dr. Amitabh
Mitra
Hope for Battered Women by Marlinelza B. de
Oliveira
Homework for Men by Mini Sharma
The Perversity of Periyarana by V. Sundaram
A Shadow from Past Life a Story by Manasi Dutt
Romancing the Desert by Attreyee Roy Chowdhury
A Rebel of Innocence - 3 by Ashwini Ahuja
Roads in Chennai by Glory Sasikala Franklin
My God, What Have You Done! by Dhiraj
Bhimji Raniga
Sensationalism and the Media by Rajesh Talwar
|
|
