Thyroid Foundation of North Cumbria (TFNC)

P.O. Box 111

PENRITH  Cumbria  CA11  8GB

E’mail: TfncThyroid@aol.com

Contact us

Have you got a thyroid condition?

Do you suffer from...the dragging slowdown of Hypothyroidism?... the palpitations and tensions of Hyperthyroidism?... postpartum fatigue and depression?... mood swings and irritability?... tiredness, anxiety and/or depression?... weight, skin and hair problems?... thyroid lumps and tumors?

Many thyroid problems are lifelong.

They can run in families

They can change with time!

BUT...THEY CAN BE HELPED!

No one is exempt from a thyroid condition.  It can effect anyone, male or female, children, the very young, older people and the elderly.  Truly; no one is immune!  To put it simply, when the thyroid gland fails, even slightly for whatever reason, to produce, or over-produce hormones.... this has a major effect on the body.... and many symptoms from what is a numerous list, becomes obvious.  In other words you can't feel well and function correctly with an ailing thyroid gland.

Remember, when you know more about what's wrong with you.... (or a member of your family)... it's sometimes easier to make it right!

For further information ... read on...

"We want to make the tomorrows of thyroid sufferers better than their yesterdays!"

TFNC is a Support Group dedicated to giving information and advice on thyroid conditions and meeting the needs of thousands of people who suffer from any thyroid problem.

We offer an information service, regular TFNC Journals - with helpful information and advice - articles written by the medical professional and thyroid patients etc.  Regular Support Group meetings - Beneficial and informative across the room discussions. 

Dedicated to turning the Thyroid Sufferer into the Thyroid Manager, we want to Help and Support You! and help to make your tomorrows better than your yesterdays!  Information Booklets/ Leaflets with full details of Group membership/subscriptions to the TFNC Journal, can be obtained by sending a self-addressed envelope to the address above.

Hypothyroidism  (decreased metabolism)

WHAT IS HYPOTHYROIDISM?

The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck produces hormones which are extremely important for the regulation of the body’s metabolism.

When the thyroid gland is unable to produce sufficient amounts of these hormones (thyroxine, or T4 and tri-iodothyronine, or T3)  then a large number of problems arise in the body’s system.

Hypothyroidism is more common among elderly people, especially women, and affects 1.5 to 2 percent of people over the age of 60.  However, the condition does also occur in younger patients.

WHAT CAUSES HYPOTHYROIDISM?

 The main causes of hypothyroidism or decreased metabolism are:

• Chronic auto-immune inflammation of the thyroid gland, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In auto-immune conditions the body’s immune system seems to turn  against some of its own tissues.

• Complications arising from previous surgery to the thyroid gland or from radioactive iodine treatment, both of which are used to treat overactivity of the thyroid gland.

• An inherited incomplete development of the thyroid gland

• As a consequence of treatment with certain medicines such as Propylthiouracil, Carbinmazole, Amiodarone and Lithium.

• Taking large amounts of iodine for example some cough syrups/cold cures or  excessive amounts of dietary supplements made from or containing Kelp.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? 

Decreased metabolism can affect every organ of the body including brain, heart, skin, intestine and muscles.

Symptoms tend to appear gradually over a long period of time.  For this reason, decreased metabolism in the older/mature person is often mistaken for changes which takes place naturally with age.

Just a few typical symptoms of decreased metabolism:

• Decreased tolerance of cold environments

• Depression and lethargy

• Weight gain

• Constipation

• Dry, rough skin

• Aches and pains

• Coarsening of facial features and deep voice

• Thin, dry hair

• Poor memory - among the elderly this may be the only symptom of decreased  metabolism

• In severe cases, dementia

HOW CAN HYPOTHYROIDISM BE PREVENTED? 

People who have been treated at some time in their lives for an over-active thyroid gland have an increased risk of developing under-activity, because the methods of treatment reduce the amount of functioning thyroid tissue.  Thus, it is advisable to have the thyroid gland checked regularly, usually once a year

It is advisable to avoid taking natural medicine and dietary supplements which contains large amounts of iodine.

HOW DOES THE DOCTOR MAKE A DIAGNOSIS?

When hypothyroidism is suspected the diagnosis can be confirmed by taking a blood sample to measure the concentration of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).  This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland of the brain and also plays an important part in regulating metabolism.

When the amount of T4 and T3 in the blood is too low, the pituitary gland sends a signal to the thyroid gland to work harder by releasing more TSH.  The increase in TSH shows that the

thyroid gland is under-active and needs to be stimulated.

Occasionally, the doctor may order further blood tests in order to detect an abnormality of the immune system, which may help the diagnosis.

Sometimes, especially if the patient has a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid), the doctor might also recommend an ultrasound examination.

HOW IS HYPOTHYROIDISM TREATED?

Permanently decreased metabolism requires life-long treatment with thyroxine tablets.

Usually, a small dose is recommended to start with, which is then increased gradually until an accurate dose is reached.

When this has been achieved, it is usually necessary to check the patient’s metabolic rate once a year.

The hormone tablets have virtually no side-affects.  However, patients should watch out for symptoms of increased metabolism, which may occur if the dose is too high.

In the UK, patients taking thyroxine treatment for hypothyroidism are entitled to free prescriptions.

FUTURE PROSPECTS.... 

With proper care and medication, people with hypothyroidism, should begin to feel well again and lead normal lives.  But it should be remembered, it will may take time and patience until medication is correctly balanced. And once this spectrum is reached, it is then up to the patient to ensure they take regular blood tests measuring thyroid hormone levels.

Thyroid disease is world-wide……

Something like 200 million people all over the world have some sort of a thyroid problem.  And for the most part thyroid disorders are treatable, however, left untreated thyroid disease can produce serious and difficult results in other parts of the body.

Improved public awareness and understanding of thyroid disorders will enable patients, their families and friends to cope and give more effective support,  with what can often prove to be a very disturbing course of thyroid illness.

In bringing about thyroid awareness, individuals can also play a vital role in alerting their GP’s to a suspected thyroid condition, that may be difficult to diagnose. Because, so often in the initial phases, a thyroid condition mimics many other illnesses,  and particularly in borderline cases, it is sometimes slow to  fully develop.

There are many types of thyroid disease, but the main condition present in most thyroid illnesses are Hypothyroidism (underactivity)  and Hyperthyroidism (overactivity). The thyroid is a very small gland in the base at the front of the neck, it weighs something like only 25 grams, but it has an important role as the regulator of all body functions. The hormones it secretes are essential to both growth and metabolism.

Thyroid swellings in the form of nodules or a goitre are common and treatable, but they should always be investigated since a small proportion of them are cancerous. Thyroid cancer, although uncommon, in the majority of case can be successfully treated.

Each patient’s experience of a thyroid condition differs considerably and much depends on how  the individual presents the illness to the doctor.  For instance, thyroid sufferers will not necessarily have all the same symptoms,  and some will certainly have more than others. So it is advisable for all those who suspect a member of the family or a friend, who might be showing any of the signs given below, to encourage them to make an early  appointment with their GP.

SYMPTOMS & SIGNS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM (OVERACTIVITY)

• forceful and rapid heartbeat

• weight loss in spite of increased hunger

• tremor

• profuse sweating and heat intolerance

• muscular weakness

• diarrhea

• eye changes

• goitre

• restlessness, anxiety & sleeplessness

SYMPTOMS & SIGNS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM (UNDERACTIVITY) 

• weak, slow heartbeat

• constant fatigue and muscular weakness

• thick puffy skin

• sensitivity to the cold

• constipation

• poor memory & slow mental processes

• weight gain

• goitre

Hyperthyroid patients often feel irritable nervy and over-excitable. While hypothyroid patients can feel down in the dumps (often mistaken for depression) and the smallest of efforts, causes fatigue and tiredness. 

Emotional reaction is common to thyroid illness and it is important that thyroid patients and their families learn to understand that these reactions are common and with treatment, are likely to resolve in time. It is also important to realise that some thyroid conditions develop gradually and the longer it takes for the disorder to manifest  and be diagnosed, the longer it takes for the condition to be balanced with medication.  So patience is essential.

The development of thyroid disease mean patients needs to undergo life-long monitoring, even if they are feeling well. Patients who come to believe they are completely cured of their thyroid illness should carefully discuss the need and requirement of follow-up treatment with their physician and/or thyroid specialist.

Further research is necessary to bring about early diagnosis and treatment, and particularly to discover the underlying causes of the illness…so public support and awareness is vital.

The Thyroid Foundation of North Cumbria (TFNC) has grown from the concerns that thyroid disease brought with it many traumas and difficulties for patients, often bringing about  a terrible feeling of total isolation. Not only for themselves as the patient, but for their families also. This was due largely to the deficiency of available, adequate, clear information and the lack of support groups for discussion of mutual problems, and most importantly the need to vent frustrations.

THE AIMS OF THE TFNC?  

• To awaken public interest and awareness of thyroid disease. A debilitating disease which has no respect for age or gender

• To provide clear and easy to understand educational information for thyroid sufferers and interested organisations - Surgeries, Hospitals, Pharmacists, Clinics & Libraries etc.

• To hold monthly support group meetings for discussions/to arrange and bring in specialist speakers on thyroid disease, whenever this is possible 

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

We need you as a member, as a regular donor, or as a volunteer,  and to attend meetings.  We need your help to organise and arrange fund-raising activities.  The success of the  depends on the efforts of those who become involved.

PLEASE JOIN US……..

Your membership and continued support will help us to reach our many  goals.  But  most importantly, it will allow us to continue to provide helpful and constantly ‘up-dated’ Information Leaflets, the TFNC Journal and the essential Information Telephone Answering Call-back Service for the needs and constant requirements, of those suffering with thyroid problems. Your help and your continued support will go a very long way to make the tomorrows of all thyroid sufferers, better than their yesterdays! 

Please join and give your support to the TFNC - and help us to help you - and newly diagnosed thyroid sufferers, who so often desperately need,  urgent initial support.

For further information Contact us

"We want to make the tomorrows of thyroid sufferers better than their yesterdays!"

"Remember, when you know more about your condition - it's sometimes easier to make it right!"

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Disclaimer:

The purpose of this information/web page is to help and support those suffering with thyroid disease.  Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, it is impossible to ensure that the information is relevant to every individual and therefore no responsibility can be accepted.  It is recommended and essential that if in doubt you should always consult your doctor or consultant to seek medical advice.

This TFNC Webpage is presented by the Thyroid Foundation of North Cumbria.

TFNC Honorary Medical Adviser: Consultant Endocrinologist Dr Bijay Vaidya, MBBS., MRCP., PhD.

 © TFNC UK Mar 2007

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