Jul 10
9
Key points of underactive thyroid also know as hypothyroidism
When you have an underactive thyroid you are not on your own !
Thyroid disease is common, affecting around one in 20 people
• More women than men are affected
• Your Doctor can diagnose the condition with a simple blood test
• Treatment is usually successful and even thyroid cancer can be cured if caught early
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) occurs when the thyroid gland stops producing enough of the thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). The disease mainly affects middle-aged and elderly women but it can also run in family groups. The thyroid gland shrinks as its cells are destroyed by the defect in the patient’s immune system. Putting the patient on a course of thyroxine tablets is the easiest way of correcting the problem.
Very rarely, the defects in the patient’s immune system causes the thyroid to enlarge (goitre) also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. No treatment is necessary unless the goitre becomes so large that it looks unattractive or is compressing the windpipe. If this happens then surgery is advised to remove most of the thyroid gland and then aftercare of thyroxine tablets. In patients not fit enough to have surgery, or who don’t want to have an operation, a dose of radio active iodine treatment can be given.
Your Doctor will advise which is the best course of action, as everyone is different.
