A key gland controlling Metabolism of the body. It is a butterfly shaped gland in front of your neck that controls the body’s energy consumption and regulation. It controls the formation of vital structures and organ rejuvenation in the early stage of life. It exerts its function by secreting hormones in blood which act on receptors throughout the body.

What happens when it produces too little or too much of these hormones?

Goitre: It is the enlargement of thyroid gland to an extent that it becomes prominent and is visible to the naked eye. Goitre is more common in females. There are certain conditions in which the thyroid gland enlarges and appears as goitre.

Symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain and  sometimes weight loss (depending on type of the goitre)
• Dry skin
• Lethargy
• Constipation
• Irregularity in menstrual cycle and subfertility
• Panic attacks.

Way Forward:

A surgeon will examine the neck and do a general examination to determine the

nature of this disease. A few supportive blood tests are done which tells us about the

hormone production. If there is a goitre an ultrasound can tell us about the nodularity. Any new nodule needs testing. It could be a sign of something sinister. 

Weight loss despite increased appetite, voice changes, difficulty in breathing are all

dangerous signs and warrant immediate evaluation by an expert!!

All goitres are not operated. Based on the Ultrasound, size of the gland and the

hormones level. There are medical as well as surgical options.

• Medical management: medicines will be prescribed and if needed you will be referred to the physician.
• Surgery: It's a major surgery where part or whole of the thyroid gland is removed in expert and safe hands this operation has excellent results both aesthetically as well as general well-being.
• Radio-iodine Therapy: It is given in specialised cases.