Endocrine System- Thyroid and Diabetes
Endocrine system is a complex network of hormone-producing glands and organs involved in the production and release of different types of hormones. These hormones maintain and control a number of important body metabolisms such as growth, development, and tissue function. A hormone imbalance can have a drastic effect on the body.
Disorders related to hormones and endocrine system is treated by an endocrinologist. An endocrinologist works with patients who suffer from hormonal imbalances, prescribes medication and creates individualized treatment plans towards a steady recovery. Teenagers with growth problems, acne, voice cracks, and young couples with infertility problems, diabetics, and patients with hypertension, thyroid, cholesterol and senior people with menopause symptoms approach an endocrinologist for treatment.
There are around 20 endocrinologists in Delhi giving their services to ailing patients and helping them to get better. Thyroid being the largest endocrine gland has a major impact on body and even a minute change in its balance can cause severe problems. Some of the major functions of thyroid gland are:
• The thyroid gland controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones.
• It participates in these processes by producing thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin which can sometimes be referred to as tetraiodothyronine (T4).
• Hormones released by thyroid gland regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. T3 and T4 are synthesized from both iodine and tyrosine.
• The thyroid produces calcitonin, which plays a role in calcium homeostasis.
Imbalance in thyroid gland can result in various disorders like:
• Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is the overproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, and is most commonly caused by the development of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are produced which stimulate the thyroid to secrete excessive quantities of thyroid hormones. The disease can result in the formation of a toxic goiter as a result of thyroid growth in response to a lack of negative feedback mechanisms. It presents with symptoms such as a thyroid goiter, protruding eyes (exophthalmoses), palpitations, excess sweating, diarrhea, weight loss, muscle weakness and unusual sensitivity to heat. The appetite is often increased.
• Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Hypothyroid disorders may occur as a result of congenital thyroid abnormalities, autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, iodine deficiency more likely in poorer countries due to malnutrition or the removal of the thyroid following surgery to treat severe hyperthyroidism and/or thyroid cancer. Typical symptoms are abnormal weight gain, tiredness, baldness, cold intolerance, and bradycardia.
Hypothyroidism being more severe is treated with hormone replacement therapy, such as levothyroxine, which is typically required for the rest of the patient’s life. Thyroid hormone treatment is given under the care of a good endocrinologist or thyroid specialist and may take a few weeks to become effective. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is more common in females and the individual suffering from it is likely to have type-1 diabetes as well.
It is difficult to cure diabetes if one is suffering from thyroid disorder as controlling blood sugar levels becomes a problem.In case of hyperthyroidism your metabolism quickens; your medicines go through your body quicker. Your blood glucose level may rise because your usual dosage does not stay in your body long enough to control it.
Hyperthyroidism and low blood glucose can be hard to tell apart. If you are sweating and having tremors from hyperthyroidism, you may think you have low blood glucose and eat extra food, causing your blood glucose to rise. Using your glucose meter to verify low blood glucose levels can help you avoid this problem.While in case of hypothyroidism your metabolism slows, your blood glucose level may drop because your diabetes medicine doesn’t pass through your body as quickly as usual and so stays active longer. In hypothyroidism, it is often necessary to reduce your dose of diabetes medicines to prevent low blood glucose The patient needs to go to a diabetes specialist who specializes in controlling diabetes and thyroidism as well. There many diabetes specialist and thyroid specialist endocrinologists in Delhi but first you should maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid such problems.
This article has been written and posted by a health advisor working at bookmydoctor.com, who also provides free of cost consultancy to patients and advise on various topics like Endocrinologist in Delhi By visiting the site, you can read articles on Thyroid Specialist in Delhi and Diabetes Specialist in Delhi and For more information click the Hyperlink.
Processing your request, Please wait....
