A major component of health screening involves cancer screening.
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Thyroid disease is an umbrella term for disorders of the thyroid gland, leading to over production or under production of the thyroid hormones.
The thyroid gland is situated below your Adam’s apple at the lower aspect of your neck. It has a shape of a ‘butterfly’ with left and right side connected in the middle. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormone which plays a vital role in metabolism of your body cells.
Thyroid disease can be classified as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormone. As there are inadequate thyroid hormone, the body’s overall metabolism is slowed down.
Common causes of hypothyroidism includes
Hypothyroidism is commonly treatment with thyroid hormone pills to replace the inadequate thyroid levels. Depending on your underlying cause of hypothyroidism, your doctor may advise for long term replacement medication.
You may be advised to check your thyroid blood tests periodically to ensure the level is replaced adequately. You are advised to discuss on the benefits and risks of thyroid medication with your doctor before starting the medication — but they are for the most part safe.
Your doctor will discuss with you the treatment options for hyperthyroidism base on your underlying cause of hyperthyroidism and the symptoms that you may be experiencing.
Treatment options include;
| Signs and Symptoms | Hypothyroidism | Hyperthyroidism |
| Overall Metabolism | Symptoms are associated with general low metabolism of the body. | Symptoms are secondary to increase of metabolism of the body. |
| Weight/Appetite | Increase weight with normal appetite | Losing weight despite increase appetite |
| Temperature tolerance | Cold intolerance | Heat intolerance |
| Skin/Hair/Perspiration | Dry skin Dry, brittle, thin hair | Oily skin Hair thinning/ hair loss Sweating easily |
| Cardiovascular | Slow heart rate | Fast, irregular heart rate Palpitation (heart pounding) |
| Bowel movement | Constipation | Diarrhoea, increase bowel movement |
| Personality | Low mood, sluggish memory, poor attention span Unmotivated | Anxious, Nervous, Irritable Sleep disorders |
| Menstrual cycle (female) | Heavy long period | Light, absent of period |
| Miscellaneous | Lethargy Muscle aches, weakness Increase cholesterol level | Muscle weakness Eye irritation, blurry vision, bulging of eyes |
As there can be a wide range of thyroid disease presentation, your doctor will acquire your personal and family medical histories, followed with a clinical examination of the neck region for abnormal lumps and bumps. Depending on individual case, various diagnostic tests can be offered.
This includes:
Specialized tests such as radioactive iodine update test, thyroid, biopsy etc.
Your doctor will guide you on the suitable tests for evaluation of your thyroid condition.
Yes, as thyroid disease can disrupt the menstrual cycle, it can reduce a person’s fertility ability. Furthermore, uncontrolled thyroid disease is associated with pregnancy complications such as
If you are contemplating to conceive and have thyroid disease, you are encouraged to discuss with your doctor to manage the thyroid disorder in order to have a safe pregnancy.
In general, women are more predisposed towards thyroid disease.
Approximately 5-10% of Singapore population experience thyroid disease. Among patients with thyroid lump, 90% are benign, whilst the remaining 10% of thyroid lumps/nodules can be dangerous. You are advised to speak to your doctor on screening of thyroid disease.
A major component of health screening involves cancer screening.
Health screening allows screening for potential health conditions
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