Do you know about your Thyroid? What are thyroid and its hormones?
Thyroid is a butterfly shaped organ,
which is located in the front of the neck. Its below the voice box. Thyroid has a specific function and role to play like other organs of our body. Thyroid starts functioning even before birth. T3 and T4 are two metabolically important hormones of Thyroid. They control various metabolic activities essential for growth, energy and development of the body. These two hormones are required every minute by every organ, tissue and cell. If more or less than the required quantity are produced, certain health complications arise. The Pituitary secretes another hormone, called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
The Thyroid hormones are made up of Iodine and it plays a crucial role in Thyroid functioning. Suspected Thyroid dysfunction should first be shown to a doctor and to test the patient’s Thyroid functional status in a pathological Laboratory. The tests should be one or two from following 7 tests for Thyroid: (1)Triiodothyronine (T3), (2) Thyroxine (T4), (3) Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), (4) Free Thyroxine (FT4), (5) Free Triiodothyronone (FT3), (6) Anti thyroglobulin antibodies (ATG), (7) Anti microsomal antibodies (AMA).
Thyroiditis and Hyperthyroidism:-
Thyroiditis is the inflammation of the Thyroid gland due to autoimmunity, which completely destroys the gland functioning. The T3 and T4 levels may remain raised for days or months. It becomes a confusing situation and it’s called as Hyperthyroidism by doctors. There are three treatments available for hyperthyroidism.
(1) Surgery= It is a costly treatment of hyperthyroid, and this treatment requires 5 to 7 days of hospitalization. Thyroid surgery is done under general anesthesia.
(2) Radio Iodine therapy= Radioiodine is given for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. It is like a small surgery. In this treatment removing a part of the gland without cutting, and they avoiding anesthesia for this open surgery.
(3) Drug therapy= Anti thyroid drugs helps to block the production of thyroid hormones. Anti thyroid drugs are first choice for the majority of thyroidologists.
Most of the cases of hyperthyroidism are easily controlled by antithyroid drugs.
The Symptoms of hyperthyroid: - Staring gaze, hair loss, weakness, weight loss or weight gain, trembling hands, fatigue, fast or low heart rate, nervousness, breathlessness, warm and moist skin, yellow skin,
depression, irregular or heavy menstruation, decreased concentration.