| Thyroid gland | | | | · Graves' disease: The release of excess hormones |
| The thyroid gland is an endocrine (meaning ductless) | | | | is triggered by an autoimmune disorder. For some |
| gland, which secretes its hormones directly into the | | | | unknown reason, the body attacks the thyroid, causing |
| bloodstream. It is located in the lower part of your | | | | it to spill out too much hormone. |
| neck. It wraps around your windpipe (trachea) like a | | | | · Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid |
| bow tie, with two connecting lobes, and is well supplied | | | | gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting |
| with blood vessels. | | | | the body's chemical balance; some goiters may |
| The association of thyroid disorders with skin | | | | contain several of these nodules. |
| manifestations is complex. Both hypothryoidism and | | | | Other thyroid problems |
| hyperthyroidism are known to cause these changes. In | | | | Other thyroid problems show up when the thyroid |
| order to study this association of skin changes in | | | | gland (at the lower front of your throat) swells or gets |
| relation to hypothyroidism, a study was carried out in | | | | sore. |
| the outpatients department of Dermatology of | | | | These may be a signals for other thyroid diseases: |
| Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, over | | | | · an enlarging thyroid, called a goiter, is usually a sign |
| a period of 3 months from Jan-March 2005. Thirty two | | | | that the gland is overworking but could be a failing |
| patients were enrolled in the study and parameters | | | | thyroid trying to do better |
| were noted regarding history, general symptoms, | | | | Indiand stats on thyroid disease' |
| cutaneous signs and associated diseases. | | | | '42 million Indians suffer from thyroid disease' |
| We found gain in weight (71.85%) and lethargy | | | | NEW DELHI: Nearly 42 million Indians are suffering |
| (65.62%) to be the most common complaints. On | | | | from thyroid disease, doctors said on the International |
| cutaneous examination, dry, coarse texture of the skin | | | | Day of Thyroid on Sunday. |
| (56%), pigmentary disorders (37.5%) and telogen | | | | According to the Indian Thyroid Society (ITS), thyroid |
| effluvium (40.62%) were the most common findings. | | | | disorders are among the most common and yet most |
| Other associated disorders were vitiligo, melasma, | | | | under-diagnosed of all health problems, making it a |
| pemphigus, alopecia areata, xanthelasma palpebrarum, | | | | hidden disease. |
| etc. | | | | Treatment |
| How do I know if I'm having a problem with my | | | | Hyperthyroidism is treated with radioactive iodine, anti |
| thyroid? | | | | thyroid drugs or surgery. A liberal diet providing |
| There are several things that can go wrong with your | | | | adequate amount of calories, proteins, vitamins and |
| thyroid, but the two most common are: | | | | minerals is indicated because patients have severe |
| · Hypothyroidism — when the thyroid does not | | | | malnutrition since the basal metabolic rate is increased |
| produce enough thyroid hormone. | | | | thus the calorie requirement are also increased. 4000 - |
| · Hyperthyroidism — when the thyroid produces too | | | | 5000kcal will be allowed. Protein requirement is also |
| much thyroid hormone. | | | | increased to 50% more than the actual requirement |
| What Causes Thyroid Problems? | | | | which is about 120 - 130 gm per day. This should come |
| All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an | | | | mainly from good quality protein egg, meat, poultry and |
| overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition | | | | cereal and pulse combination. |
| can occur in several ways: | | | | |