The immune system is the main cause of the most common conditions of the thyroid gland and, therefore, the Puerto Rican Society of Endocrinology and Diabetology (Sped) warned about the importance of education and early detection of autoimmune conditions to provide individualized treatments on time and improve the quality of life of patients.
The endocrinologist José García MateoPresident of the Sped, said that the levels of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, in English) vary according to the characteristics of each person; Therefore, he said, to educate the medical community and the patients about what these individualized values are It would help avoid overmedication and problems induced by inappropriate treatments.
In addition, he highlighted the importance of detecting other autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus, vitiligo, among others, because the coexistence of these diseases can alter therapeutic management.
“The immune system is part of the cause of these conditions, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and there are patients predisposed to that. What is Autoimmune? Is that your immune system attacks your same organs”, Said the endocrinologist, at a recent press conference.
He Health Department March proclaimed as the national month of the prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases. In Puerto Rico, about 20% of the population suffers from some thyroid gland disorder, according to the Sped. Hypothyroidism disease occurs when antibodies block or destroy the formation of thyroid hormones, while hyperthyroidism stimulates the gland to produce the hormone, the president explained.
According to García Mateo, “hypothyroidism is treated with levothyroxine, an oral formulation of synthetic thyroid hormone, which most patients will need for life.” On the other hand, with respect to hyperthyroidism, “treatment may include medications to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, radioactive iodine therapy or, in some cases, the surgical removal of the thyroid gland.”
The endocrinologist Melba Feliciano He stressed, on the other hand, that appropriate therapy should be analyzed with each of the patients, because they have made unidentified thyroid diagnoses if there is interaction with other medications.
“It happens that, many times, we can be overmedicating the patient, whether the pediatric patient or the elderly patientwith consequences in cardiovascular diseases, with consequences on bone health and behavior, ”said the doctor.
Meanwhile, the endocrinologist Mariely Sierra urged citizens to identify symptoms such as Tiredness, cold intolerance, constipation and lack of encouragement to detect possible disorders in the thyroid gland.
“The most important thing is discernment. If we have symptoms that are practically fulfilling the list of symptoms on hypothyroidism, we have more risk factors, such as family history, chemotherapy or medical condition that may affect the thyroid function, we have to make us laboratories of sifting, TSH tests, T3 and T4 thyroid hormones and perform a diagnosis, ”emphasized the endocrinologist, who is also a patient of hypothyroidism.
García Mateo explained that, among the factors that could improve the quality of life of patients, are A personalized tracking to maintain thyroid hormone in normal ranges and the inclusion of therapies that regulate the immune system.
According to the Sped, which brings together around 150 specialist doctors in thyroid conditions, it is important to avoid the unnecessary use of thyroid hormonal supplements, especially among people with greater risk of complications. He mentioned, as an example of these groups, older adults and patients with cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis or psychiatric problems.
