Thyroid Disease and Goitre Management
There is a gland in your neck called the thyroid gland. It makes thyroid hormone. This hormone controls how the body uses and stores energy. Most people don’t even know they have a thyroid problem.
Hypothyroidism
HYPOTHYROIDISM is a condition where your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.
Some people with hypothyroidism have no symptoms. But most people feel chronically tired. That can make the condition hard to diagnose, because a lot of conditions can make you tired.
Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Lack of energy
- Getting cold easily
- Developing coarse or thin hair
- Getting constipated (having too few bowel movements)
If it is not treated, hypothyroidism can also weaken and slow your heart. This can make you feel out of breath or tired when you exercise and cause swelling (fluid buildup) in your ankles. Untreated hypothyroidism can also increase your blood pressure and raise your cholesterol – both of which increase the risk of heart trouble.
In women, hypothyroidism can disrupt monthly periods. It can also make it hard to get pregnant. In women who do get pregnant, hypothyroidism can cause problems. For instance, it can increase the chances of having a miscarriage.
Multinodular Thyroid Goitre
MULTINODULAR THYROID GOITRE
A multinodular goiter is a swelling in the neck. It is caused by abnormal growth of the thyroid gland, plus one or more growths called “thyroid nodules.”
Most people with a multinodular goiter do not have symptoms. The swelling might be found during an imaging test, such as an ultrasound, that is done for another reason. Or a blood test to check thyroid hormone levels might show that a person has too much thyroid hormone. Having too much thyroid hormone can be a sign of a multinodular goiter.
Some people with a multinodular goiter feel or see a lump in their neck. Or they have symptoms from having too much thyroid hormone, such as:
- Feeling worried or upset, or having trouble sleeping
- Feeling weak or tired
- Losing weight without trying
- Having a fast heartbeat
- Having frequent bowel movements
- If a multinodular goiter presses on the throat or airway, it can cause:
- Trouble breathing – Especially during physical activity, at night, or when reaching or bending
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- A choking feeling
- Trouble swallowing
Surgical removal of half or all of the thyroid gland is an option for the management of goitres.
