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Magazine
WOMEN & WELLBEING
Drained out?
DR. SHASHANK R. JOSHI
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What you need to know about thyroid-related disorders.
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PHOTO: SHAJU JOHN
MULTI-TASKING: Stress can cause the thyroid gland to malfunction.
The modern Indian woman is more vulnerable than ever before with regard to thyroid-related disorders. The primary reason for this being that she is a multi-tasker. The modern woman not only tries being a perfect housewife, daughter-in-law and mother
but also tries to excel as a professional.
In the bargain, her vulnerable thyroid may falter and either becomes sluggish or stop working. The risk of developing thyroid dysfunction increases after delivery.
What is Thyroid?
The Thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in front of the neck. It produces thyroid hormones, which are iodine-derived tyrosine products called T3 and T4. These hormones act on every cell of the body to energise them.
The gland’s production of the thyroid hormone is controlled by a master hormone called TSH-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone made by the pituitary gland. Iodine is the substrate that gets trapped in the thyroid gland and gets coupled with tyrosine (proteins) to form chemicals which eventually make T3 and T4.
What causes hypothyroidism?
Stress, be it physical, mental or social, makes the thyroid gland falter. It has a strong genetic basis and gender bias, being more common in women and hereditary. So a genetically vulnerable gland, when under stress, triggers production of antibodies called autoantibodies (immune chemicals that are meant to destroy germs but by mistake identify thyroid as a enemy target) harm the gland and hamper its production. The autoantibodies lead to permanent damage to the gland causing hypothyroidism, the commonest thyroid disorder.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Usually there are no direct symptoms of thyroid disease; they are often picked up when doctors suspect depression or abnormal cholesterol or sugar or during pregnancy or lactation. There are a number of subtle symptoms that mimic hypothyroidism. The commonest is “feeling of being drained out” or “being tired or fatigued”. This is often accompanied by weight gain, swelling of feet or body or face, water retention, irregular cycles, dry skin, constipation, hair loss. Occasional symptoms include no pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation and hair problems. In severe cases they may become drowsy, sluggish, have slow heart beats and fluid filling in different body cavities. Rarely, it may lead to coma.
How is it tested?
Usually blood tests of Free T3, Free T4 and TSH are done. Additionally Thyroid antibodies are estimated like AntiMicrosomal Antibodies and Antithyrpoglobulin antibodies.
How is Hypothyroidism treated?
Thyroid hormone replacement (T4), pill, the body’s natural hormone, is given as a tablet and has to be taken life-long. It is the safest remedy, which not only energises the body but also improves weight and cholesterol.
The writer is a Mumbai-based Endocrinologist.
Tips for women
Eat right, walk more, sleep well
Take your medicine regularly
Drink boiled water or mineral water (Water filters may have iodine as disinfectants)
Avoid items that have too much iodine like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, soya, prawns, shell fish and crabs.
Check Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3 levels particularly if you are a vegetarian
Test your thyroid regularly
Winter aggravates thyroid so be more careful
Monitor bone health and, after 50, do the bone density testing regularly.
Lifestyle measures like yoga and relaxation have long-term beneficial effects but cannot stop the need for lifelong replacement of a natural hormone
Remember the thyroid hormone pill is a natural hormone replacement of a deficient state in hypothyroidism. It should not be discontinued.
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