What is a Thyroid gland? Human body is highly evolved with many intricate and incredibly regulated mechanisms. The information needed for its proper functioning is transmitted through both neural pathways and chemical messengers carried by the blood. These chemical messengers are known as “hormones,” which are produced by specialized cells or tissues called “endocrine glands” to carry out specific functions. One such crucial gland located in the neck of humans is known as the “Thyroid.” Examples of other glands can be Adrenal, Pancreas, Ovaries or Testes etc

Where is Thyroid gland located? Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland, located in front of the wind pipe in the neck just below your Adam’s apple. It is a soft gland with rich blood supply. It has two lobes right and left and a connecting bridge called the isthmus. The thyroid gland produces hormones called “Thyroxine” (T4) and “Triiodothyronine” (T3). The element Iodine is needed for production of thyroid hormones.

What is the role of Thyroid hormones? Thyroid hormones play a significant role in the growth and development in children and maintaining functioning of almost all organs in the body. Thyroid hormone levels are maintained in an optimal range by the master endocrine gland, “The Pituitary” through another hormone called as “Thyroid Stimulating Hormone” (TSH).

What are the problems of Thyroid gland? Like any organ, Thyroid gland can also get affected with disorders and diseases and this can disturb its function or structure or both. This leads to a situation where either insufficient or excess amount of hormones are produced. The conditions affecting Thyroid and making it perform less called Hypothyroidism or when they make it function more than necessary are known as Hyperthyroidism. The causes of thyroid disease can be Iodine deficiency, Iodine excess, auto-immunity, genetic changes, radiation etc. It is multi-factorial in many individuals who may have more than one of the cause implicated. Thyroid gland may also develop abnormal growths called nodules.

What is hypothyroidism? The most common disease affecting thyroid is hypothyroidism. It is seen in about 0.2 to 2% of population and up to 10% among women, making it a very common disease. This is seen in women more than in men. In this disease, thyroid produces less hormones, so, for some period of time the pituitary tries to stimulate its work by increasing the levels of TSH. Even with this if thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroxines, then the blood levels of T4 start falling and despite TSH being high. As the thyroxine is needed for normal metabolism & functioning of the body, its low levels can’t maintain the normal functioning of the body. The individual starts getting easily tired, irritable, weight gain, sleepiness and hair fall. Extremes can even cause coma. But now-a-days because of high awareness of this condition and due to routine and reliable tests to detect thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism is detected in very early stages. Once hypothyroidism is diagnosed by doctors, they start the patient on thyroxine hormone supplementation &adjust the dose according the level of TSH, T4 and patient’s body weight and periodical evaluation is essential for right treatment. Depending upon the requirement, additional testing for levels of a protein in blood called Anti-Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (Anti TPO) is also recommended. if levels of Anti TPO are increased the condition is known as “Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis”. It’s the most common cause of hypothyroidism among women.

 What is Hyper-Thyroidism? Excessive thyroid hormones in the circulation can be because of their excessive production and their release. It is called as Hyper-Thyroidism. This can be because of inflammation of thyroid called as ‘Thyroiditis’ (sub-acute) or because of certain proteins (antibodies) which stimulate over production called as Grave’s disease. Sometimes, the thyroid develops nodules which can start over producing hormones called as Toxic nodular thyroid disease.

What is a Goitre and what are thyroid nodules? Thyroid gland can develop structural problems due to enlargement which is called “Goitre”. Thyroid can get affected with formation of swellings called as “nodules”. The nodules are structurally manifested disease that form and appear separate from the rest of the normal thyroid. The nodules can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Now a days its common to develop one or more nodules in their thyroid by the age 45-50 years, in 50-60% population. With the help of a high-resolution ultrasonography scan, doctors are able to detect even nodules as small as 2 mm.

When is Surgery on Thyroid gland recommended? If the thyroid becomes too large it can cause pressure on wind pipe, food pipe or the voice nerves. This can result in breathing difficulty, swallowing problems and voice changes. Long-standing goitres can cause weakening of wind pipe cartilage due to pressure. If they grow even more, they can enter the chest cavity called “Retro-sternal goitre”. This is can cause serious danger to life. If the nodules are hyper-functional cancerous, suspicious, or very large then surgical removal is recommended. Surgery on the thyroid gland is performed by Specialist and Expert “Endocrine Surgeons” who have extensive training and practice. Removal of half thyroid gland or one lobe is called hemithyroidectomy and removal of whole gland is called total thyroidectomy. After the surgery, patient may be advised to take a thyroid hormone pill every day to maintain the balance depending on the type of surgery and blood tests.