Dr. Pradeep Singh is a Senior Consultant and Head, Department of Head & Neck and ENT Surgery, Continental Hospitals, Hyderabad. He possesses hands-on experience in head & neck and ENT surgeries. Dr. Pradeep has more than 18 years of experience in his field.

1. Thyroid Gland
Introduction
The thyroid Gland is the endocrine gland responsible for producing thyroid hormone a regulator of
growth, development, and basal metabolic rate, and calcitonin, a regulator of calcium homeostasis.
The thyroid gland contains two main types of cells: follicular cells that produce thyroxin and C cells
that produce calcitonin. A thin fibrous capsule with blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves, most prominent
at the poles, encloses the thyroid. The histologic appearance of thyroid follicles and colloid varies greatly
as a reflection of secretory activity. Variation in follicle size is common, with the larger follicles tending to
be at the periphery of the gland.

2. Thyroid Symptoms
Symptoms
● Changes in Vision.
● Goiter(enlarged thyroid gland)
● Small Intestinal Bacterial
Overgrowth(SIBO) infection.
● Loss of sense of smell or taste.
● HeartBurn.
● Depressed mood.
● Hair Loss.
● Joint aches and pains.
● Weakness.

3. Thyroid Causes
Causes
● Stress
● Low Vitamin A
● Low Selenium
● Viral infections
● Too much iodine
● Low iron
● Low Copper
● Hormone imbalances
● Artificial Sweeteners

4. Types of Thyroid and Symptoms
Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid

5. ● Up your Iodine: Iodine is an essential mineral that is needed to make thyroid hormones. Iodine
deficiency is unfortunately very common, though we can increase our intake of it by consuming
iodine rich foods such as seaweed, fortified dairy products and seafood.
● Cook Your Brassicas: Brassica vegetables such as kale, broccoli and cauliflower are delicious and
nutritionally dense. A little known fact about these foods, however, is that unless they are cooked,
they can have a negative effect on the thyroid gland.
● Selenium: Selenium helps the body “activate’’ thyroid hormones so they can be used by the Body.
The essential mineral also has antioxidant benefits, which means it may protect the thyroid gland
from damage by molecules called free radicals.
● Here is a list of foods you can eat in moderation. These foods have goitrogens:-
➢ Foods that contains glutin: Bread, Pasta, Cereals, Beer, etc
➢ Soy foods: Tofu, tempeh, edamame beans, soy milk, etc.
➢ Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoil, kale, spinach, cabbage, etc.
➢ Certain fruits: Peaches, Pears and strawberries.
➢ Beverages: Coffee, Green tea and alcohol-these beverages may irritate your thyroid gland
Tips for controlling thyroid

6. Background Function of the
thyroid gland
Figure-1
The thyroid gland uses iodine from the diet to
make thyroid hormone(thyroxin). Thyroid hormone is
stored in the thyroidgland and released into the
Blood stream as needed by the body. The release of
thyroid hormone is controlled by the pituitary gland
which makes a hormone called thyroid stimulating
hormone (ie.TSH) that stimulates the thyroid to
make and release more thyroid hormones. When
there is enough or too much thyroid hormone in the
body,the TSH level goes down.(Figure1) Thyroid
Hormone has a number of different effects. Overall,
the thyroid can be thought of as controlling the
body’s metabolism. Thyroid hormone increases the
heart squeezes. It also affects how fast food moves
through your GI trackt, bone loss, and how fast
sugar is made and used up in the body. All these
effects are increased in patients who have
hyperactive thyroids (hyperthyroidism) and
Decreased in underactive throids (hypothyroidism)

7. Thyroid Treatments
● Thyroid surgery: A surgeon removes all or part of
the thyriod in an operation. Thyroidectomy is
performed for thyroid cancer, goiter, or
hyperthyroidism.
● Antithyroid medication: Drugs can slow down the
overproduction of thyroid hormone in
hyperthyroidism.Two common antithyroid
medicines are methimazole and propylthiouracil.
● Radioactive iodine: Iodine with radioactivity that
can be used in low doses to test the thyroid or
destroy an overactive gland. Large doses can be
used to destroy cancerous tissue.
● External radiation: Abeam of radiation is directed at
the thyroid, on multiple appointments.The high-
energy rays help kill thyroid cancer cell.
-Dr.PradeepSingh
Address: Continental Hospitals, Financial
district, Nanakramguda, Gachibowli,
Hyderabad, 500032
Mobile: +914067229999
http://www.drpradeepsingh.com/