As the World prepares to observe World Thyroid Day on May 25, a medic in Kericho has decried the rising cases of thyroid disease and urged residents to seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis.
This is compounded by the fact that the disease’s symptoms tend to mimic other diseases and the treatment is lifelong, coupled with continual medical attention.
The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck below the ‘Adams apple’ and is an essential organ for the production of thyroid hormones, notably thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), all of which regulate metabolism and control many vital functions of the body.
In an interview with KNA, a resident surgeon at AIC Litein Annex Kericho Hospital, Dr. Philip Blasto, noted that a patient may have the thyroid gland producing low levels of hormones, leading to a condition called hypothyroidism, whose symptom is exhibited with an enlarged goiter.
A patient may have the thyroid gland producing increased hormonal levels, leading to a condition called hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease, whose symptoms are similar to many ailments.
“There are two general classes of symptoms of patients who have high levels of thyroid gland hormonal production, termed Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism, where the symptoms are high heart rate, fatigue, eyes bulging out, unexplained weight loss despite increased appetite, cold sensitivity and depression, all of which copy ailments of heart condition, bipolar disorder and psychiatric disorder. For those patients with hypothyroidism signaling low levels of thyroid hormones being produced, a swollen neck is indicative of thyroid disease, a low heart rate and they often feel cold,” noted Dr. Blasto.
He called for personal health checks for early diagnosis of the disease, which may be a result of iodine deficiency from inadequate intake of iodine, which is an essential mineral for thyroid hormone production; autoimmune diseases, when the immune system attacks the thyroid; or genetic factors, where thyroid disorders run in families, adding that this determines the right course of treatment.
“Early detection gives the patient the best chance for getting the right treatment quickly. Hypothyroidism is more clinically evident than hyperthyroidism. For hyperthyroidism, a patient undergoes a thyroid hormone function test and when the T4 is found to be elevated, then medication is prescribed to reduce the symptoms of the heart beating fast. This may take a year or two and then a patient is given a drug to reduce the production of the thyroid hormone. The patient has to understand they have to take medication continuously and come for follow-ups regularly so as to confirm that the thyroid hormone levels have reduced. When they get to normal thyroid hormonal levels, some patients can get surgery,” explained Dr. Blasto.
The surgeon revealed that the thyroid tests, which include blood tests, thyroid ultrasound and other imaging techniques are costly and a patient also has to undergo follow-ups, which take up to two years.
“Nearly half of the patients who come for treatment after diagnosis only come once we start them on therapy, and then they disappear; it is either the costs of the tests or the cost of the drugs or the fact that you have to come monthly to be seen. The test costs depend on the hospitals; it could be between Sh3,000 and Sh4,000, and these are done repeatedly to monitor the thyroid hormone levels. There are many financial implications, as there is also the cost of the drugs. A patient has to be prepared to be on medications for six to eight months, some of which are prescribed to be taken on a daily basis up to four times daily depending on the diagnosis of the levels of thyroid gland production. A patient may be given a year or even two years of follow-up since communication with healthcare providers is crucial for maintaining thyroid health.” he added.
Dr. Blasto lamented that the medical facility was encountering 40 patients from Kericho in a week suffering from thyroid hormone functions majority being women, an indicator that the disease is rampant in the region.
“I get very many patients. In a week we might see 20 patients with hyperthyroidism and another 20 patients with hypothyroidism. A third of them are treated with medication, another third will undergo surgery and another third get lost on follow-up when patients disappear; I am not sure why they stop—maybe when they start feeling better or they seek alternative therapies. Thyroid diseases are more common in women; over 80 percent of them ailing from this are women but it can also occur in men,” revealed Dr. Blasto.
The medic said prevention measures included regular monitoring of thyroid function through blood tests, especially if a family has a history of thyroid disorders. Another measure is maintaining a balanced diet with sufficient iodine intake and avoidance of smoking, as it increases the risk of thyroid problems.
“If you experience symptoms related to thyroid disorders or have risk factors, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Blasto.
By Sarah Njagi
