Oct 24, 2024
We Find Ways! Living with Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism

A Brief Introduction on The Importance of The Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is a gland inside the neck that produces important hormones. These hormones control our body’s key functions. Ito ay mahalaga sa paglaki ng isang tao, mula sa kanyang pagkabata hanggang sa kanyang pagtanda. May kinalaman ito sa mga pagbabagong nagaganap sa katawan. 

While it helps regulate our metabolic functions such as our blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and weight, there are also several systems in the body that work with the thyroid. Ang mga hormones na galing sa thyroid gland ang isa sa mga nagdudulot ng mga pagbabago sa anyo, estado at kondisyon ng ating katawan. With this frame in mind, we can appreciate the importance of the thyroid and what it can do in a person’s body.

Kung maalaga tayo sa ating katawan, maiiwasan ang maraming komplikasyon na pwedeng makuha kung ang kalusugan ay mapapabayaan. For people who are not cautious of what they eat or the kind of lifestyle they live, over time, it can affect the thyroid negatively.  As factors such as diet, age, genetics, and others may trigger irregularities in the thyroid that may manifest through different symptoms. When the thyroid gland malfunctions, the changes in a patient’s body may lead to different kinds of complications. Depending on the severity of such complications, it can become a real problem. Ang ganitong kondisyon ay hindi biro at dapat na lalong maunawaan.

An unhealthy thyroid can be underactive or overactive. Each condition can develop into serious health issues. From disorders in the nervous system, the digestive system, the cardiovascular system, the reproductive system or the body’s immunity, it can lead to challenges in a patient’s life that can range from mild to difficult.

 

The Challenges of Having Disorders in The Thyroid Gland

According to Carlos-Raboca, et.al (2012) in their study of The Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders Among Adults in the Philippines, complications with the thyroid gland can be as simple as weight gain and blood pressure issues. While these minor thyroid gland problems can be managed with the help of a doctor and proper medication, there is a risk that it can also develop into something more complex. It can lead to thyroid dysfunctions known as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The prefixes hyper- (sobra) and hypo- (kulang) hint on the state of the thyroid’s hormone production.

With hyperthyroidism, the condition where thyroid is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormones, some or many of these symptoms can be experienced.

  • Difficulty concentrating (hindi makapag-isip ng maayos)
  • Swelling of the thyroid gland (pamamaga ng thyroid)
  • Anxiety (pagkabalisa)
  • Irritability (pagka-irita)
  • Insomnia (hirap sa pagtulog)
  • Moist skin and increased perspiration (pagpapawis)
  • Rapid heart rate and palpitations (mabilis na pagtibok ng puso)
  • Shakiness and tremors (panginginig)
  • Shortness of breath (kakapusan sa paghinga)
  • Losing weight (pagbagsak ng timbang)

On the other hand, hypothyroidism is the opposite. In this condition as the thyroid is underactive, the thyroid hormones being produced are lacking. This can result in symptoms such as, but not limited to the list below.

  • Constipation (pagtitibi)
  • Memory problems (problema sa memorya)
  • Thinning hair (pagnipis ng buhok)
  • Muscle weakness (kahinaan ng kalamnan)
  • Muscle aches (pagsakit ng kalamnan)
  • Slowed heart rate (pagbagal ng tibok ng puso)
  • Weight gain (pagtaas ng timbang)
  • Depression (depresyon)

Gradually, these symptoms can impact the way and quality of a patient’s life. When these conditions are left unattended, it can even lead to severe complications such as loss of consciousness, stroke, heart failure, and memory loss. Understanding these risks for both families and the patient is crucial in treating and managing these complications.  Although both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may be a life-long disorder, there are a lot of ways to improve the patients’ health and cope with it.

 

Coping With Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism

Don’t miss the steps in working out ways to cope with the complications of the thyroid.

Step 1. Do not be overwhelmed

A full life is within reach even with these conditions. It is important not to be discouraged to move on to the next step. Experiencing any of these conditions is challenging but thanks to research, modern medicine, and advances in science, there are now more options available than there were in the past. This proves that no patient is ever alone as experts continue to find ways to make life better for patients living with hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism. Sa katunayan, kasama ang MedChoice ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino sa paghahandog ng mga medisina na Todo Aruga sa Thyroid at Diabetes.

Step 2. Do not self-diagnose

Consult your health professional and discuss the symptoms you or the patient experience to work on the best plan to treat and manage hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism. What is important in this step is making sure that there is trust between the patient and the doctor. Full disclosure of all details of symptoms is crucial for health professionals to properly diagnose and give advice.

Step 3. Do not skip your treatment

Be vigilant and make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions in terms of frequency and dosage of medication and adherence to treatments and therapies. Although missing on one may not have any adverse effects, missing on a lot or stopping the treatment or medication can worsen the symptoms, and if ignored for too long, can increase the patient’s health risks.

 

Treatments and Medications for Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism

Nutrition and Supplements

Mild issues of the thyroid can be treated by dealing with deficiencies through nutrition and supplements. Avoid allergens that may trigger your symptoms. Depending on what is deficient, take foods high in vitamin B for nerve, brain and heart health, iron for muscle health and immunity, and antioxidants to help boost overall health. Supplements like multivitamins can also be beneficial but make sure that it is taken as prescribed by your doctor to make sure it is safe to take with other medications, if there are any.

Pharmacotherapy. In simpler words, pharmacotherapy is the administration of drugs to help prevent or treat a disease. There are specific drugs prescribed to improve thyroid health. Tingnan ang mga epektibo at mapagkakatiwalaang gamot para sa thyroid mula sa MedChoice. You can find other available medicines when you visit the MedChoice website.

Carbimazole (Neomerdin®). This is a medicine used for treating patients with too many thyroid hormones. This helps to treat thyroid storms by regulating the body’s temperature and heart rate. It also helps treat Graves’ disease and prepare patients who will undergo thyroidectomy (isang operasyon kung saan tinatanggal ang buo or parte ng thyroid gland). This is available in doses of 5mg and 10mg.

Levothyroxine (Thydin®). This is a thyroid hormone tablet used for treating hypothyroidism. This is for patients who need a replacement for their missing or low thyroid hormones. This is available in several doses and is taken in increased increments as prescribed by a doctor. The tablets are available in these dosage strengths: 12.5 mcg, 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 100 mcg and 150 mcg.

Thyroidectomy. As mentioned above, this is a surgery done to remove a part of or the whole thyroid. This is followed through with a lifetime prescription of thyroid hormone replacement medicine.

Other Complementary Treatments. There are also other recommended complementary therapies/activities that promote thyroid health such as stress management, exercise, therapeutic massage, and healthy diet.

With all these shared, do ensure that regular check-ups are done to monitor progress and avoid overtreatment. Everything in excess is not good for your health.

When considering proper treatment, do consult a healthcare professional. We, at MedChoice, aim to always support Better choice. Better lives.

 

Resources:

Bancos, I. (2022, January). Thyroid and Parathyroid Hormones, Endocrine Society, https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/thyroid-and-parathyroid-hormones

Carlos-Raboca, J. et al. (2012, March). The Philippine Thyroid Diseases Study (PhilTiDeS 1): Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders Among Adults in the Philippines, Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, https://asean-endocrinejournal.org/index.php/JAFES/article/view/9/400

Eastman, C. and Hughes, K. (2021, January-February). Thyroid disease: Long-term management of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, Australian Journal of General Practice. https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/january-february/thyroid-disease-long-term-management-of-hyperthyro

Mayo Clini.c (2023, September). Thyroidectomy, Complete Thyroidectomy   https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/thyroidectomy/about/pac-20385195

Mayo Clinic, (2024, August). Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), Mayo Clinic – Disease and Conditions, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284

Mount Sinai. (2024, August). Hyperthyroidism. Mt. Sinai-Health Library https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/condition/hyperthyroidism

National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Carbimazole  Compound Summary https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Carbimazole