Thyroid

Thyroid disorders are among the commonest of the endocrine disorders. The thyroid gland is normally situated in the front of the neck below the voice box. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones which have an effect on virtually every organ in the body.

Disorders of the thyroid can be grouped into those that cause the thyroid to be enlarged (goiter) or shrunken away. The thyroid can be overactive and produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroid) or it can produce too little hormone (hypothyroid).

A problem can be suspected because of symptoms related to too much or too little thyroid hormone, or to an enlargement or pain in the thyroid gland.

A separate group consists of congenital thyroid problems- that is those presenting at birth and this is usually screened for at or soon after birth.

Links to thyroid sites

Hyperthyroid-graves, toxic nodule, tumour

Hypothyroid-hashimotos,

RAI

Goiters

Thyroid tumours

Keywords: eltroxin, diotroxin, tertroxin, neomercazole