THYROID GLAND – DESCRIPTION
The thyroid gland, which lies in the neck in front of the windpipe just below the Adam’s apple, produces a hormone thyroxin affecting the general metabolism of the body.
Underactivity of the gland causes myxoedema — the metabolism slows down causing lethargy, extra weight, and the person feels cold and becomes markedly constipated.
Thyrotoxicosis is excess production of thyroxin and the symptoms are the reverse. The person is overactive, restless, agitated, with a rapid pulse, loses weight, and may develop diarrhoea.
As well the person may develop a staring gaze and the eyes might actually become more prominent.
A familiar disorder, it is often thought to be inherited. Women are more often affected than men.
It is now thought to be one of the auto-immune diseases where the body becomes allergic to its own tissues and develops antibodies which lock on to and destroy those tissues.
There are now three accepted methods of treatment.
Anti-thyroid drugs control the over-activity of the thyroid gland and are usually considered for people under 25. They must be continued for about 18 months to two years.
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