Thyroid gland disorder treatable without surgery: PHCC expert

Doha, Qatar: Thyroid gland plays a key role in regulating metabolism by secreting the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which help ma...

Doha, Qatar: Thyroid gland plays a key role in regulating metabolism by secreting the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which help maintain digestive system health, muscle efficiency, bone integrity, child development, and the nervous system.

It also helps regulate body temperature and maintain mental well-being. This gland may suffer from various disorders affecting its health and functions.

To simplify understanding thyroid disorders, they can be classified into four main types: Overactive Thyroid, Underactive Thyroid, Enlarged Thyroid, and Inflamed Thyroid.

Family Medicine Specialist at Al Thumama Health Center under the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Dr. Tayba Silwan Kamal Aboud said, “I will start discussing this important topic with hyperthyroidism, which involves the excessive secretion of thyroid hormones, leading to accelerated metabolism, increased heart rate, heightened nervous excitability, weight loss, and heat intolerance compared to before the condition. Other symptoms include menstrual irregularities in women, diarrhea, fatigue, dry skin, and hair loss. One of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disease known as Graves’ disease, as well as the presence of active thyroid nodules that may cause acute or subacute thyroiditis.”

Dr. Tayba Silwan added, “On the other hand, hypothyroidism, or thyroid underactivity, involves a reduction in hormone secretion, which slows down metabolism, heart rate, and nervous response, and leads to weight gain and cold intolerance compared to before the condition. It can also cause menstrual irregularities in women and constipation. Common causes include autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease) and iodine deficiency in the diet. This condition can be treated with radioactive iodine or surgical removal of the gland.”