Hyperthyroidism: Busting myths

Shalini

New Delhi: One in a 100 people suffer from an overactive thyroid gland. And 43-year-old Neetu is one amongst them.

She is one among the one per cent of people in the world to have autoimmune hyperthyroidism, a disorder in which antibodies in the body stimulate the thyroid gland to work harder.

And like many others, she has to sort out the many myths about this lesser known condition. "The first thing one would ask me is do you gain weight, even though I haven't," says Neetu.

Says endocrinologist, Dr Ambrish Mittal, "One of the most common myths about hyperthyroidism is that it is thought that sufferers gain or lose weigh, which is not the case. People also think that if one is suffering from hypertension then their body shrivels up. But that is also not a necessary symptom."

With the right treatment, unlike a condition called hypo-thyroidism, this condition can be cured within one or two years.

"There are generally three tests that are carried out for hyperthyroidism and you should be medicated only if all the three test positive. And there three kinds of treatment including medicines, surgery and radioactive iodine. But it is very important to carefully monitor it so that the sufferer doesn't end up with hypothyroidism," says Dr Mittal.

There are certain dos and don'ts that one has to keep in mind also. For example, smoking should be avoided as is worsens Grave's Disease, which is one of the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

The condition of Grave Disease is not always that easy to detect. It could be present in children who aren't able to play out in the sun.

So it is advisable to get a thyroid test done which is also a part of your medical check-ups.

Source: CNN-IBN