What it is
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. Its hormones help control metabolism, energy, heart rate and body temperature and, in children, growth and development.
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): too little thyroid hormone
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): too much thyroid hormone
- Thyroid nodules and goitre: lumps in the thyroid, or an enlarged gland
- Autoimmune thyroid disease: conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, where the immune system affects the thyroid
Thyroid problems are common, especially in women, and most can be well controlled with the right diagnosis and follow-up.
Common symptoms
An underactive thyroid may cause:
- Tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain
- Constipation, dry skin, thinning hair
- Low mood and slowed thinking
- Heavy or irregular periods
An overactive thyroid may cause:
- Palpitations, anxiety, a tremor
- Weight loss despite a good appetite
- Feeling hot and sweating
- Frequent bowel movements, poor sleep
A nodule or goitre may show as a swelling in the neck, and occasionally cause difficulty swallowing or a change in voice.
When to see a specialist
- A blood test shows abnormal TSH or thyroid hormone levels
- You notice a lump or swelling in the neck
- You have symptoms like those above that don't settle
- You have a thyroid condition and are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
- Your thyroid medicine dose doesn't seem right, or symptoms come back
- You have eye symptoms such as bulging, grittiness or double vision along with thyroid problems
Treatment and management
Treatment depends on the type of thyroid problem:
- An underactive thyroid is usually treated with daily thyroid hormone replacement, with blood tests to adjust the dose
- An overactive thyroid may be treated with anti-thyroid medicines, radioactive iodine or, in some cases, surgery
- Nodules are assessed with blood tests and ultrasound; some need an FNAC (fine-needle) test
- Pregnancy needs closer thyroid monitoring, because needs change
Take thyroid medicines exactly as prescribed, and keep follow-up tests on schedule.
How an endocrinologist helps
Dr. Marium Zaman listens to your symptoms, examines the neck and reviews thyroid function tests and scans to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment is then planned and adjusted at follow-up, with clear explanations of what each result means and why it matters.
