Docyard | Go for iodine if thyroid is an issue

More than 42 million people suffer from thyroid disorders that leads to several other complications. It is a butterfly shaped gland in front of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe, an apt position for an organ, which holds immense importance when it comes to regulating the metabolism. Today, thyroid diseases have also fallen under the blanket of lifestyle diseases because of associated disorders like Diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders.

Cause

Thyroid gland secretes two hormones — T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), which regulate the temperature of the body, metabolism and the heart rate. The gland is in turn regulated by pituitary gland in the brain, which secretes Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). When there is overbalance or under-balance of these hormones in the body, it leads to thyroid diseases. While genetic propensity does affect a person’s chances of developing a thyroid disorder, environmental factors play a key role in causing thyroid diseases.

Types of Issues

The five types of thyroid disorders.

• Hypothyroidism: When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, leading to poor metabolism.
• Hyperthyroidism: When the gland is overworked and produces excess of the thyroid hormones leading to an overactive metabolism.
• Iodine-deficiency related disorders like goitre: Since iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones, the deficiency of this vital mineral can lead to goitre. This is why one should consume iodised salt — to eliminate iodine deficiency.
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: This occurs when the immune system starts attacking the thyroid gland leading to its gradual deterioration.
• Thyroid cancer: Caused to many factors such as environmental as well as genetic.

Diet

Thyroid gland requires adequate iodine for production of thyroid hormones. There are many vitamins and minerals which play a crucial role in formation of thyroid hormones. If one doesn’t consume a balanced meal with all the essential nutrients in appropriate proportions, then it paves way for thyroid disorders to take root. Improper diet, like eating fast foods, which are high in calorie, but lack essential vitamins and minerals leads to improper functioning of the body as well as overweight and obesity. But the unhealthy eating trends have become commonplace these days and contribute to the development of diseases like thyroid. One should be careful about the quality of food and water consumed.

Exercise

Exercise is another essential requirement for maintaining good health. Too much sitting is like poison, which slowly destroys the body. Exercise has a great positive effect on metabolism and as the organ which regulates metabolism; thyroid gland is directly affected by how much time a person devotes to exercise.

The functioning of thyroid gland is affected by other hormones in the body. Irregularity or abnormal hormonal levels can adversely affect this endocrine gland leading to thyroid disorders. Chemical pollutants in the air, water and even food can affect the functioning of thyroid as they are endocrine disrupters. Even X-rays in excess can lead to mutation in the thyroid cells, increasing the risk of cancer. It is important to immediately seek medical advise if one suspects that they have been in contact with chemical pollutants.

The Writer is Dr SK Wangnoo Senior Consultant, Endocrinologist & Diabetologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi