The thyroid gland is composed of fatty tissue wrapped around the wind pipe just below the voice box. This gland produces thyroid hormones, which regulate the metabolism in nearly every organ and can put your metabolism in over or under drive pending need. No wonder that failure or malfunction of such a busy organ is incredible common. Alone 850.000 Australians are affected by thyroid disease, 7.5 % of women and 1.5% of men. Luckily thyroid conditions are usually not life threatening and respond very well to treatment. The Thyroid can under produce (Hypothyroidism) or over produce hormones (Hyperthyroidism) it can swell up and form lumps (goitre) and even turn cancerous, again a very rare and often very manageable condition(only 5% of all felt lumps are cancerous).
A lump in the thyroid gland is usually obvious to the patient and should lead to a trip to the GP, who examines the neck , recommends simple blood tests to measure hormone levels , sends for an Ultrasound of the neck or special nuclear studies. A physician will often be involved in the early phases of thyroid disease.
Signs of cancer
- lump in the neck
- hoarse voice / cough
- difficulties swallowing
Hypo- and Hyper- states of the thyroid gland particularly need monitoring during pregnancy , when metabolic demand is great and need for the right hormone levels is important for baby’s development as well as mums metabolism. All Babies are screened for it after delivery. Malfunction can arise spontaneously, can be caused by autoimmune stimulating or destructive disease, extreme lack of iodine, certain medications.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:
- tiredness
- weight gain
- dry swollen skin, dry coarse hair
- feeling cold
- mental and mood slowing
- constipation
- irregular , heavier and lighter periods
With Hypothyroidism - the metabolism slows down and eventually the cholesterol and sugar levels as well as blood pressure go up , the heart develops angina and can fail the hair falls out, the patient can end up in coma.
Hyperthyroidism:
- Weight loss , increased appetite
- Nervousness agitation
- Tremor , anxiety
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating , heat sensitivity
- Diarrhoea
If extreme cases the heart can race , angina , or heart failure occur.
Both function failures can be treated with hormone replacement or drugs which slow the thyroid down, sometimes with radio iodine which selectively kills thyroid cells or even surgery to remove excess gland tissue. In any case should the starting of hormone replacement be based on blood test and not un-qualified guessing relying on above vague symptoms, urine or saliva tests. It should be warned against the use of natural hormones or unnecessary use of thyroid hormone for lifestyle purpose or even excess iodine intake. To much hormone leads to brittle bones, risk to the heart, but it also means that other potential conditions hiding under above symptoms could go undetected. Food these days contains plenty of iodine and even increased need during pregnancy should be covered.
Sources:
- www.abc.net.au/health Thyroid disorders
- John Murtagh , Patient Education
- Www.patient.co.uk patient and patient plus
- BBC News ‘thyroid disorders misdiagnosed’
- The Lancet 2005 vol 365 ‘Hair loss and cardiovascular health’
- Australian Family Physician Vol 36 No 7 2007 ‘ thyroid lumps and bumps’
Helko Schenk
Geraldton 9 4 2009
A lump in the thyroid gland is usually obvious to the patient and should lead to a trip to the GP, who examines the neck , recommends simple blood tests to measure hormone levels , sends for an Ultrasound of the neck or special nuclear studies. A physician will often be involved in the early phases of thyroid disease.
Signs of cancer
- lump in the neck
- hoarse voice / cough
- difficulties swallowing
Hypo- and Hyper- states of the thyroid gland particularly need monitoring during pregnancy , when metabolic demand is great and need for the right hormone levels is important for baby’s development as well as mums metabolism. All Babies are screened for it after delivery. Malfunction can arise spontaneously, can be caused by autoimmune stimulating or destructive disease, extreme lack of iodine, certain medications.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:
- tiredness
- weight gain
- dry swollen skin, dry coarse hair
- feeling cold
- mental and mood slowing
- constipation
- irregular , heavier and lighter periods
With Hypothyroidism - the metabolism slows down and eventually the cholesterol and sugar levels as well as blood pressure go up , the heart develops angina and can fail the hair falls out, the patient can end up in coma.
Hyperthyroidism:
- Weight loss , increased appetite
- Nervousness agitation
- Tremor , anxiety
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating , heat sensitivity
- Diarrhoea
If extreme cases the heart can race , angina , or heart failure occur.
Both function failures can be treated with hormone replacement or drugs which slow the thyroid down, sometimes with radio iodine which selectively kills thyroid cells or even surgery to remove excess gland tissue. In any case should the starting of hormone replacement be based on blood test and not un-qualified guessing relying on above vague symptoms, urine or saliva tests. It should be warned against the use of natural hormones or unnecessary use of thyroid hormone for lifestyle purpose or even excess iodine intake. To much hormone leads to brittle bones, risk to the heart, but it also means that other potential conditions hiding under above symptoms could go undetected. Food these days contains plenty of iodine and even increased need during pregnancy should be covered.
Sources:
- www.abc.net.au/health Thyroid disorders
- John Murtagh , Patient Education
- Www.patient.co.uk patient and patient plus
- BBC News ‘thyroid disorders misdiagnosed’
- The Lancet 2005 vol 365 ‘Hair loss and cardiovascular health’
- Australian Family Physician Vol 36 No 7 2007 ‘ thyroid lumps and bumps’
Helko Schenk
Geraldton 9 4 2009
Desiccated bovine thyroid is an all natural supplement that lends a hand in the body's ability to produce adequate thyroid hormone to suit its needs. It uses natural ingredients that provide the body with vitamins and minerals it requires in treating hypothyroidism.
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