Treating thyroid disease

Reference : Coordinator of Women's Health Development Unit (Obstetrician & Gynaecologist)
School of Medical Sciences Campus Health. Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. ">


QUESTION:

I have heard of thyroid disease is more common in women than in men. Recently my sister-in-law was diagnosed with the disease during pregnancy. Why pregnant women has higher risk of this disease and what is the treatment. Please explain more about it.


ANSWER:

Thyroid disease is more common in women than in men. The disease can occur during and after pregnancy. However, this disease is safe and easily treated if diagnosis and treatment done at the early stage.

The thyroid gland were divided in two, like a butterfly. Two hormones released this gland the hormone thyroxine (T4) and triiodotiroksin (T3). This hormone controls the metabolism (energy production) man. If your thyroid is not functioning properly, it affects the health, especially weight gain, depression and energy levels.

With a high metabolism, you may feel hot and vice versa. So the thyroid glands help the body function running on safe and effective rate. This gland controls performed by the pituitary gland in the brain, through the thyroid-stimulating hormone. When high levels of thyroid hormone, and hyperthyroidism disease will arise if the hormone levels are too low, the disease also occurs in hypothyroidism. Other diseases such as diabetes mellitus can also interfere with thyroid hormone production.

There are tests, examinations and specific symptoms that can be used to diagnose thyroid disorders. You may also be suffering from other diseases arising from the functioning of the thyroid gland, which is irregular.

There are two types of thyroid disease hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are common in women than men. Four ratio of thyroid disease in women aged 20 years and above for the reasons and reasons that are not known until now.

Hipotiroidisme disease occurs when the thyroid gland does not function optimally until the hormone is not produced sufficiently. Ingested drugs to treat excessive thyroid function can also cause disease in hypothyroidism.

Typically, hypothyroidism disease caused by inflammation of the gland, called thyroiditis. The disease is also known as Hashimoto's disease which is an autoimmune disease that stimulates the body's defenses to produce antibodies against the thyroid gland. As a result, the brain produces a signal through thyroid-stimulating hormone to the thyroid gland to work harder. As a result, the gland grows and called goiter. Finally, the thyroid gland can no longer produce hormones needed by the body.

Hypothyroidism symptoms are swelling of legs, disturbed memory, sluggish, lazy, powerful sleep, the body often feel cold and can cause heart problems if not promptly treated. Patients suffering from this disease is easily treated, but had to take hormone thyroxine for life. Doses of medications can be changed periodically depending on the level of thyroid hormones.

Hipertiroidisme occurs when the thyroid gland is producing excessive hormones. Usually it is due to an autoimmune disease and the human body was capable of producing antibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much hormone thyroxine. Grave disease is the major cause of increased glandular activity. In addition, the drug taken for hypothyroidism may cause hyperthyroidism, so doctor supervision is very important. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, frequent bowel movements, sweating, palpitations, tremors, impaired vision and increased appetite.

Treatment given will cut the production of thyroid hormones. Medication to reduce heart palpitations may be given. If treatment is given failed, may be treatment with radioactive iodine will be given to destroy part of the thyroid gland. Surgery is also one of the treatment methods.

Thyroid disease during pregnancy may pose a risk to you and the baby. That is why health checkups is really important during the first visit to the maternity clinic.

With treatment, you can conceive normally and safe. Your treatment may  receive altered dose, while blood tests and other tests deemed necessary will be done.

Radioactive iodine treatment will not given to pregnant patients. There are some mothers experience postpartum thyroid problems. This is called postpartum thyroiditis. Thyroid hormone levels usually return to normal mothers involved quickly. However, there are some parents may experience in the future hypothyroidism. It should be pointed detection test or a blood test is not a routine thyroid hormone during prenatal examination.

In fact, the thyroid can cause death if not treated immediately, especially to pregnant women and unborn babies that cause miscarriage, premature delivery, small fetus and mental retardation. The case is usually under the supervision of specialists who usually monitored in 'combine clinic' which is a specialist obstetrics and endocrine specialists. Don't worry, it's safe and easy to treat.