Ask the Doc
Dr. R.N. Mehrotra, Consultant Endocrinologist, Apollo Hopsital, Hyderabad, replies to this week's queries.
MY mother started gaining excessive weight in the past few months. She was referred to an endocrinologist. She is 45 years old and her menstrual cycle is regular. She walks 4km every evening and is on a strict diet. She complains of joint pain and swelling in the ankle and legs. Of late she has been getting headaches and also complains of tiring soon. What is her problem? Priyadarshini
Answer: Your mother's reports are normal. If she has knee pain and swelling in the ankles, she may be suffering from "osteoarthritis", so get her examined by a Rheumatologist or Orthopaedic surgeon. Get her urine tested for urinary albumin, s. creatinine, as she has leg swelling. If she is tiring easily, it may be because of her weight, but do get her BP checked and her haemoglobin also done, because if she has anaemia she will tire soon. For weight problem continue with the diet and exercise. Monitor her weight every 15 days. If the response is not good, you may consider drug therapy for weight loss with your endocrinologist (if her BMI is more than {gt}30).
I AM a 31-year-old man. I was married recently. I have now been diagnosed as HBSAG+. Is there a cure for this disease? What are the precautions I should take? Vinod
Answer: I would suggest you to consult a gastroenterolgist as soon as possible. There are lot of issues of involved, my reply to you with out knowing the full facts may not be correct.
I AM 26. I am suffering from hypothyroidsm since April 2005. I am using "thyronorm-50mg". There is a lot of hair loss and weight gain. How long do I have to use these tablets? Will it be under control? Can I get married? Is this problem hereditary? T. Sampath Reddy
Answer: Hypothroidism is a very common and simple disorder. You need not panic. This disease is not curable, but can be very easily controlled. Thyronorm should be taken early in the morning empty stomach and is for life long. You can definitely get married since if hypothyroidism is well controlled it does not lead to any problems. Yoga will help you keep fit and stress free, but may not be able to cure hypothyroidism.
MY son now aged 30 has been suffering from Ideopathic thromosyis purpura from childhood. He took Prednisone for 2 years i.e when he was eight years; after which he has not taken any medicine. His Platelet count presently is 40000s. What treatment should he go in for? Name withheld
Answer: Your son should be in follow up of a Haematologist. The options are medical and surgical. Your haematologist would discuss these issues with you and your son.
I AM 25 years old. I have hypothyroidism and obesity for the last three years. i.e. T3 is 0.4 ng/dl, T4 is 40 ng/dl & TSH is 19 uiU/ml. Now I am taking Thyrovorium and DSN tablet one each a day. I don't get my periods normally. I have body hair, brittle nails and hair loss. I got married two and a half years ago. Will the hypothyroidism prevent me from conceiving? Sarita Das
Answer: If the TSH is not well controlled then it may lead to problems in fertility and pregnancy. But if TSH is normal, then it is all right. You should test your TSH six weeks after starting thyronorm. Since you have obesity, irregular periods and body hair, you need to be examined by an endocrinologist for Poly cystic ovarian syndrome. PCO may be an issue in fertility.
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