World Thyroid Day: Group Canvasses For Medical Intervention For Thyroid Disease In 2022
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The Thyroidism and Awareness Support Initiative (TASI) has raised concerns about thyroid disorder treatment.
The founder of the group, Mrs Irioma Ofortube, called for the right medical treatment for patients.
She canvassed for treatment from qualified hospitals and doctors through TSAI on Wednesday.
Ofortube made this known at a lecture organised by the initiative on the 2022 World Thyroid Day in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria learnt that the theme of the lecture is: “Thyroid and Communication: It’s Not You, It’s Your Thyroid.”
World Thyroid Day is marked yearly on May 25. The event sensitises the public about thyroid disease.
Thyroid disease consists of various conditions that affect the thyroid gland.
What is a thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is the part of the butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that controls the body’s metabolism.
Ofortube disclosed that she is a survivor of thyroid disorder. She lamented the poor awareness of the disease.
According to her, patients are dying in silence from a lack of medical knowledge. She acknowledged that many people get the wrong medical intervention for a thyroid disorder.
Her words:
were dying in silence, while the few that seek help go for the wrong interventions.
According to her, some patients with thyroid disorder go to the herbalists, where they will be given concoctions and herbal drinks that will end up compounding their condition.
“I am a thyroid disease survivor and I had a very bad experience managing it; let me call it ‘trauma’.
“I had five traumatic years of thyroid disease and after the five years, I sought the right medical intervention that led to my survival.
“So, people with thyroid disease should come out; it is not a death sentence. Seek the proper medical intervention.
“The problem is that people seek help in the wrong places when they are diagnosed with thyroid by a doctor, who suggested the surgery option.
“Instead of going for the surgery, they will begin to patronise herb sellers, who will tell them that the thyroid will shrink if they drink one herbal drink or the other – which are all lies.
“I believe the right and effective way to manage thyroid disease is to follow the doctor’s advice”.
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A Consultant-General Surgeon with the Gbagada General Hospital, Dr Bankole Adebanjo, advised patients with symptoms to go for regular checkups at the hospital.
According to the surgeon, the symptoms are:
- Anterior neck swelling.
- Anxiety.
- Mood swings.
- Emotional Instability.
- Excessive sweating.
- Hot flushes.
- Weight loss.
He said:
“When patients notice those symptoms, they should proceed to the hospital for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
“There are varieties of options when it comes to treatment. In some cases, drugs might be prescribed, while in other cases, surgery may be required.
“It’s really not a big deal operating a patient with a thyroid disorder. In Nigeria, we have competent surgeons that can effectively do it.”
The Unit Head, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Division of the Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof Olufemi Fasanmade lent his voice.
According to him, thyroid disorders also occur in children and infants.
He describes the disorder as a congenital problem. What this means is that thyroid problems start in the womb.
The health expert noted that it could either be hereditary or genetic.
He urged parents to pay attention to their children’s health and growth. He noted that the disorder affects the growth and development of children.
His words:
“For parents, if you have a child that is growing very slowly or is not talking/sitting in time; take the child for a check-up and let the doctor do a thyroid function test, because it may be that the child has hypothyroidism.
“Also, if you have an overactive child that is always getting into trouble, the child should be examined by conducting a thyroid function test.”
Source: PUNCH HealthWise