Question 1

Is thyroid disease a communicable disease?

Accepted Answer

No, thyroid is not a communicable disease. However, there have been instances where the disease has been passed on from mother to child through genetic mutation.

Question 2

How Important is Thyroid in your well-being?

Accepted Answer

The thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormone that controls every cell, tissue, and organs in your body. If the thyroid gland stops operating at usual speed, it can produce a bulk amount of thyroid hormone, which causes your body system to speed up (a condition termed as hyperthyroidism) or can create too minimal thyroid hormone, slowing down the body systems (a condition known as hypothyroidism).

If you suffer from thyroid disease, leaving it untreated can lead to drastic effects like elevated cholesterol levels, subsequent heart disease, infertility, and osteoporosis. Some studies also claim that there’s a strong genetic connection between the thyroid disease and onset of other autoimmune diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and anaemia.

Question 3

How to determine if you’re suffering from thyroid disease?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the symptoms of the thyroid disorder isn’t an easy task as most symptoms are hidden and resemble the signs of other diseases and conditions. To check if you suffer from a thyroid problem, you can ask your doctor for a TSH (thyroid-stimulating-hormone) test - a simple blood test that helps you verify your thyroid gland’s condition. The normal range of thyroid is 0.5 to 5.0 mIU/L (milli-international units per litre).

Since there have been cases of thyroid passing through genes, a thorough examination of your family and review of their medical history are two additional measures you must undertake to rule out the possibility of them suffering from thyroid.

Question 4

Is thyroid disease fatal?

Accepted Answer

Most forms of thyroid problems are not deadly. However, sometimes benign cysts can contain cancerous cells in them that can affect the thyroid gland aggressively and turn fatal if left unattended.

Question 5

Can thyroid cancer spread to other parts of the body?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid cancers are nothing, but slow-growing tumours, so yes, they can spread out to other parts and metastasise. In most cases, cancer can expand from the thyroid gland and affect the nearby regions like the neck (oesophagus), nerves, or windpipe.

If cancer spreads out to the lymph nodes in the neck, the doctors recommend you undergo a lymph node surgery. In severe cases, thyroid tumours can even spread out to the lungs or bones.

Question 6

Why are only women affected by thyroid?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid problems are most predominant in women, but men are also affected by it. In men, the effect of thyroid imbalance leads to erectile dysfunction, lack of sex drive, and fertility problems.

Question 7

What are the alternative medication options for thyroid?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help you balance your thyroid levels. However, we’d recommend you consult your medical practitioner before exploring alternative medication in the form of coffee, soy, broccoli, and yoga.

Question 8

What are the different types of thyroid problems?

Accepted Answer

The prominent types are hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Plummer’s Disease, thyroid cancer, toxic adenomas and Graves' Disease.

Question 9

What are the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)?

Accepted Answer

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are prominent thyroid diseases and show different symptoms in an individual. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

Nervousness and Irritation
An abrupt increase in perspiration
Shaky hands and racing heart
Insomnia
Frequent bowel movements
Weight loss despite a good appetite
Lighter flow and less frequency of menstrual periods

Hypothyroidism, on the contrary, shows the following symptoms:

Anxiety attacks
Fatigue and exhaustion
Depression
Poor concentration
Excessive weight gain becomes an issue
Muscle cramps
Increased menstrual flow leading to frequent periods

Question 10

Should you get treated for Thyroid during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must get yourself treated for Thyroid disease even if you’re expecting. Neglecting the symptoms of the thyroid during pregnancy can pose serious risks to you and your foetus. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can ensure that you give birth to a healthy baby.

In some cases, women might suffer from thyroid problems post-childbirth. It’s a short-term problem and with the right care, hormone levels quickly return to normal.

Question 11

What are the probable chances of thyroid cancer recurring after surgery and treatment?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid cancer can return in some cases. Post treatment or surgery, your doctor and endocrinologist will keep a tab on your health, by monitoring signs of recurrent disease through blood tests or ultrasound examinations.

Thyroid Problems