Thyroid Check-up

Last Wednesday, May 17th, I was able to meet my endocrinologist for the first time.  She reminded me of my doctor back home, she's on her late 60's, straightforward and conformist.  I wonder if she is as good as my doctor back home but for the next few weeks, I've entrusted to her my thyroid problems as she promised me that they would take care of it for the days to come.

Our thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located just below our Adam's apple.  Thyroid produces hormones that affect our body's metabolism and energy level.  The diseases of thyroid gland could result in either production of too much hormone which is called Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or too little hormone called Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).  However, an increase in size of thyroid nodules could result to Lumps, which may be cancerous and grow large enough to interfere with breathing and swallowing, thus needs surgical removal.

Fortunately, my thyroid problem was detected early when I was a teenager.  I became dependent of taking thyroid hormone pills on a daily basis and adjustment of its dosage is measured thru my TSH which is very low right now. 

My doctor still considers me having Hyperthyroidism.  Unlike those with underactive thyroid, people with too much of it are most likely skinny and have a rapid heartbeat.  Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism are increased nervousness, irritability, feeling hot, insomnia, fatigue or exhaustion, frequent bowel movements and shorter or lighter menstrual periods.  And with that, she asked me to stay away from hot places or under the sun.  She also advised me not to take too much caffeine like coffee, soda or herbal teas except for fruit teas.  I have to stopped taking Levothyroxine(thyroid medications) for the next 4 weeks because my TSH is too low.  They also extracted tons of blood from me to find out my T4, a thyroid hormone called L-thyroxine and TSH(again!)thyroid-stimilating hormones) released into my blood.  I'll be seeing her again after a month and see if everything will be fine.

Thyroid problems in Pregnancy and its treatment





Treatments for Thyroid Disease
There are safe treatments for thyroid disorders during pregnancy. Pregnant women with hyperthyroidism are generally treated with medications that reduce the amount of thyroid hormone the body makes. Women with hypothyroidism are treated with thyroid hormone replacement pills. A woman’s health care provider regularly measures the amount of thyroid hormone in her blood. The amount of medication may need to be adjusted during pregnancy.

When hyperthyroidism goes untreated, it can cause pregnancy complications for the mother, including a pregnancy-related form of high blood pressure (called preeclampsia).

When hypothyroidism goes untreated, the baby can have long-term neurologic or developmental difficulties, including mental retardation.
While most babies of women who had a thyroid problem during pregnancy have normally functioning thyroids, some babies of women with hyperthyroidism may need treatment for hyperthyroidism for a few months after birth.

OTHER RELATED TOPICS:



Comments

Post a Comment