Thyroid Treatment in Abu Dhabi, UAE

What is Thyroid Disorder?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck that regulates various bodily functions, including metabolic rate, breathing rate, heart rate, mood, weight, and energy levels. Thyroid disorders include hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) as well as inflammation that can cause functional impairment through hyper or hypo production of thyroid hormones.

Types of Thyroid Conditions

Thyroid conditions can be categorized based on their effects on structure, function, and underlying causes:

• Structural Changes:
• Simple Goiter: Enlargement of the thyroid gland that can be palpable. It may compress surrounding structures, potentially leading to airway obstruction, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), or hoarseness of voice.
• Nodular Goiter: Presence of one or more nodules within the enlarged thyroid, typically not visible and usually visible only through imaging.
  Thyroid Cancer: A malignancy affecting the thyroid gland.
• Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland, mostly due to an autoimmune reaction or post-viral infection.

• Functional Changes:
• Hypothyroidism: Decreased production of thyroid hormones.
• Hyperthyroidism: Increased production of thyroid hormones.

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What are The Common Causes of Thyroid Disease?

Common causes of thyroid diseases include:

• Autoimmune Thyroiditis: An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid, impairing its function.
• Thyroid Cancer: Malignancy affecting the thyroid gland.
• Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by viral, bacterial infection or drug induced.

These conditions can significantly impact both the structure and functionality of the thyroid.

Risk Factors for Thyroid Disease

• Women, especially after childbirth, are at a higher risk of developing thyroid disease.
• A family history of thyroid disease.
• A previous history of thyroid surgery, radiation, or other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or celiac disease.
• A diet low in or free of iodine, such as consuming less iodized salt or eating only egg whites without the yolk, can lead to iodine deficiency. This deficiency influences the production of thyroid hormones and may impair thyroid function over time.

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Thyroid Disease Signs & Symptoms

Thyroid dysfunction symptoms and signs can be categorized into those associated with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

• Hyperthyroidism Symptoms:
• Weight loss despite increased appetite and hunger.
• Palpitations with rapid heartbeats, potentially leading to irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia).
• Increased sweating, anxiety, irritability, and tremors, resulting in moist and shaky hands.
• Altered sleeping patterns.
• Fatigue and muscle weakness.
• Swelling in the neck, if left unnoticed, can lead to compression symptoms affecting surrounding structures, such as dysphagia (painful swallowing), dysphonia (painful speech), or difficulty breathing.

• Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
• Puffy face.
• Increased sleepiness.
• Depression and memory loss.
  Weight gain.
• Fatigue and muscle weakness.
• Increased sensitivity to cold.

In addition to the previously mentioned symptoms, there are symptoms that can be experienced exclusively by men or women in any form of thyroid disease.

• Symptoms of Thyroid Disease in Women:
• Changes in the menstrual cycle.

• Symptoms of Thyroid Disease in Men:
• Erectile dysfunction (difficulty sustaining an erection).
• Low libido (decreased desire for sexual interaction).
• Premature ejaculation (ejaculating early during intercourse).
• Infertility.

How to Diagnose Thyroid Disease?

If you have any of the previously mentioned symptoms or risk factors, you are advised to seek medical advice from an endocrinologist. He will assess your symptoms and signs and may request the following tests and imaging as needed:

Thyroid Function Test: This test measures levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to evaluate the performance of the thyroid gland and detect any issues.

Imaging:

• Neck Ultrasound: This imaging can provide information about the size of the gland, changes in its consistency, and potential anatomical issues such as thyroid nodules or thyroiditis.
• Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) or Biopsy: This procedure can be performed under ultrasound guidance to obtain tissue samples to diagnose malignant vs benign pathology. It can also be therapeutic if the enlargement is due to an abscess, as the doctor can aspirate the abscess material during the same session.
• Neck CT Scan: Typically performed if the patient experiences compression symptoms, this scan evaluates the extent of thyroid enlargement and its effects on surrounding structures. It can also be used to diagnose the presence of normal or abnormal lymph nodes in the neck.
• Radioactive Iodine: This can be used both diagnostically and therapeutically. The dose depends on the thyroid gland’s avidity for iodine, the raw material needed to produce thyroid hormones. Patients are asked to follow a low-iodine diet for two weeks prior to this procedure to increase the thyroid gland’s uptake of iodine. Following this, they will consume a calculated dose of iodine and undergo a specific scan to measure how much iodine the gland absorbs. This information helps diagnose the activity of the thyroid gland. Conversely, when the thyroid absorbs a large dose of iodine, it can help suppress its function.

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What are The Treatment Options for Thyroid Disease?

Treatment options for thyroid diseases include:

According to the endocrinologist’s assessment and evaluation, the best treatment option for your case will be tailored from the following regimens:

Medications:

• Hypothyroidism: Patients are recommended to take synthetic thyroid hormone replacement tablets one hour before breakfast.
• Hyperthyroidism: Treatment typically involves a regimen that includes an anti-thyroid drug along with beta-blockers to help manage symptoms.

Radioactive Iodine: A calculated dose of radioactive iodine may be recommended to manage the disease in certain cases of hyperthyroidism or following the removal of the thyroid gland due to papillary thyroid cancer.

Advanced Thermal Ablation Technique: This non-surgical alternative for managing thyroid nodules is a technique we take pride in offering, making us a leading choice for your thyroid care.

Surgery: If the doctor determines that surgery is the appropriate treatment for your case, you will be referred to an ENT and neck surgeon for one of the following procedures:

• Partial Thyroidectomy: Removal of a small part of the thyroid gland while leaving the rest healthy and functioning.
• Total Thyroidectomy: Complete removal of the entire thyroid gland if it is diseased.
• Total Thyroidectomy with Lymph Node Dissection: This procedure is performed in cases of cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck.

Why Choose Reem Hospital for Thyroid Treatment?

At Reem Hospital, we provide a unique one-day stop service specifically designed for thyroid patients. This comprehensive service includes thorough thyroid assessments, ultrasound examinations, and biopsies, all conducted in a single visit by our experienced endocrinologists, who bring extensive expertise. Additionally, we utilize advanced Thermal Ablation techniques as a non-surgical option for managing thyroid nodules, making us a premier choice for your thyroid care.

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