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... be pulled upwards, and when the patient looks down the upper lids are slow to follow the eyeballs. Thus the eyes develop a staring quality and they may tend to bulge outwards (Korte 1994). This appearance is due to changes in the nervous control of the upper eyelid and usually disappears as the hyperthyroidism is controlled (Epps 1995). These changes may occur in hyperthyroidism due to any cause, and is not specific to Graves disease (Foley 1993). There are three main methods in treating hyperthyroidism.
These are (1) anti thyroid drugs which suppress the ability of the thyroid gland to make T 4 and T 3, (2) surgical removal of most of the thyroid gland and (3) radio-iodine treatments which is concentrated in the cells of the thyroid gland and by irradiation destroys them (Bayliss 1982). Which of these three methods is used depends upon a considerable amount of factors that have to be considered in each individual case (Thibodeau 1992). When given anti thyroid drugs, constant monitoring by a doctor is necessary. Surgery, though once a common treatment, is really inappropriate in this day and age.
So if it is the only option offered, that should be a red flag. The only scenario where surgery may be the only option is if there is an allergic reaction to thyroid drugs. During radioactive iodine treatment capsules containing radioactive iodine destroy part of the thyroid gland (Epps 1992). The treatment always works, is safe and usually requires only a one-time treatment. The radioactive treatment has been used for over 50 years and its safety has been shown over and over again (Thibodeau 1992).
Hypothyroidism is the clinical condition that develops when there is inadequate secretion of thyroxine (T 4) and triiodothyronine (T 3) by the thyroid gland (Morgan 1996). Irrespective of the cause of the thyroid deficiency, the symptoms and clinical picture in the adult are the same although these vary in their severity according to the degree of the deficiency and its duration. Myxoedema is the word used to describe advanced hypothyroidism (Korte 1994). There are many causes of deficient thyroid secretion. Two obvious ones are the removal of too much thyroid tissue during the treatment of hyperthyroidism and destruction of too much of the gland in radioactive iodine treatment (Bayliss 1982). In the Western world Hashimotos thyroiditis is the commonest cause of spontaneous hypothyroidism and is the presumed cause of thyroid failure in patients (Thibodeau 1992).
Hashimotos thyroiditis was one of the first autoimmune diseases in medicine to be recognized, and its understanding has thrown light on other autoimmune disorders (Epps 1995). We still do not know why certain white corpuscles come to regard thyroid tissue as foreign, but these lymphocytes with their associated thyroid antibodies attack the thyroid gland and gradually destroy it (Korte 1994). In some parts of the world iodine deficiency is the most common cause of thyroid failure. Lack of iodine prevents the thyroid from having enough raw materials to manufacture T 4 and T 3. This condition is usually associated with a sizeable goiter, whereas in the conditions mentioned earlier little or not thyroid tissue can usually be felt (Bayliss 1982). The severity of the symptoms in hypothyroidism depends upon the degree of thyroid failure and upon its rate of onset.
Legarthy is the first manifestation. Intolerance of cold is another early feature. Menstruation in women may be heavier and more prolonged. Some gain in weight is common but usually not more than 10 pounds in one year.
The skin becomes dry and the scalp hair may be lost at an increased rate (Korte 1994). The voice becomes deeper in pitch. Hearing is dulled, constipation is common, muscle aches and pains occur, and the patient may become unsteady on his / her feet. The patient may slur words and seem to be in a drunken state. These are all consequence of the slowing metabolism of all cells throughout the entire body (Bayliss 1982). The best treatment for hypothyroidism is replacement therapy with thyroxine.
Though man-made, medicinal thyroxine is chemically identical to the major hormone secreted by the thyroid gland (Bayliss 1982). While there are natural forms of the hormone, most doctors advocate using a synthetic form (i. e. Synthroid). Being a pure substance the amount in each tablet can be accurately measured (Korte 1994). The ultimate final dose of the thyroxine will depend upon the degree of thyroid failure, and to a lesser extent on the weight and responsiveness of the patient (Foley 1993).
Thyroxine does not work fast. A tablet taken, for example, on a Monday will induce no biologically discernible effect until the Following Friday. The tablet is taken everyday, and preferably at the same time each day. Since the thyroid fluctuates the dosage has to be adjusted to the patients symptoms (Morgan 1996). A number of patients give themselves an excessive amount of thyroxine.
They increase the dose themselves in the false hope to lose weight or to increase energy. Some patients become addicted and take an amount of thyroxine that makes them hyperthyroid (Epps 1995). Women get thyroid disease (leading to hyper-or hypothyroidism) ten times more often than men do. Though doctors say there is not much that you can do to prevent thyroid disease, I think its important to recognize it and get it treated in its early stages. I believe you should first know the symptoms. All of the research on thyroid disease has given us solid clues as to what to be aware of when detecting this disorder.
We know that women are more susceptible. A rapid heart rate, increased nervousness or changes in the menstrual cycle and weight loss are indicators of hyperthyroid. On the other hand, sluggishness, weight gain, fatigue and increased intolerance to cold could all point to hypothyroidism. One big advantage that the research of my topic has produced is the fact that thyroid disease can be inherited. If there is a family history we are now well aware that the chances are increased. Still, to this day I strongly believe that more steps need to be taken in finding a better way to manage thyroid disorders.
My mother is afflicted with this disease and the stresses and pain it has brought into our family are immeasurable. The reason I feel so passionately about this issue is that the solutions to this problem have only been temporary. When the thyroid flips in to high gear the dosage of medication needs to be lowered and vise versa. Yet we only know when to change the dosage when she is extremely high or low, and with this comes mental anguish. Depression and other disorders run rampant within the mind of a thyroid patient and it is quite sad.
In all of the materials I researched I found no solid clues to the planned future endeavors by any researchers or scientists in this field. The fact is that with the treatments found most patients are able to live normal lives. The advances and discoveries of synthetic drugs have virtually illuminated the problem. Yet, in my mothers case and a good population more, I feel there is need for a more reliable, versatile treatment that can be prescribed with many other drugs if needed. If I had the power to establish the next step in thyroid research, I would manipulate the gene.
In this day and age we have technology that can isolate and illuminate genes. Researchers know now that there is a predisposed body cell type HLA B 8 DRW 3, that is most vulnerable to thyroid disorders. I would find the hereditary gene cell type that carries this disorder and manipulate it so we could rule out that possibility. The next step would be to create a drug similar to Thyroxine and Triiodothyronin and to instill the qualities of fluctuation in them. Instead of the patient going in to the doctors office to get the prescription dosage increased or decreased, (usually after some sort of adverse effects) the pill would have the capability of doing so itself. If this quality is incapable of being present in a pill then the creation of an implant could be applied.
The implant along with a microchip would sense and detect the slightest changes in the naturally made T 4 and T 3 and then it would make up the difference. Ultimately the problem of going hyper and hypo will be eliminated. Bibliography:
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