GOITRE CAN PREDISPOSE TO HYPERTENSION AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

For the umpteenth time, “too much of everything is not good.” Apart from this saying being something of a memory verse to some, it is the discipline in making the statement a way of life that has proven to be the secret of healthy people.

The question in everybody’s lips is ‘how do we know if we are overdoing things?’ in the quest of trying to apply the moderation principle to life. One sometimes come short of requirement and that leads to deficiency which in itself, is an enemy of good health.

One misfortune caused by either under secretion or over secretion of hormone is goitre. Goitre is not an everyday ailment but when it announces itself, it is capable of commanding attention.

Dr Tolu Okedere, medical practitioner at Achievers’ University, Owo, Ondo State defined goitre as the terminology used to describe swollen thyroid gland, adding that it is the hormone secretion gland that produces thyroid hormones and it is located in the neck region, in front of the wind pipe.

What makes goitre quite difficult to predict is the fact that it is very sensitive to the moderation principle; when supply is low (hypo) it is dangerous and when it is high (hyper) it is relatively dangerous also.

According to experts, the thyroid gland often increases in size due to reduced production of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism); increased production of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism); thyroid cancer among others. If goitre is about growth and swelling, how then could hypothyroid trigger it?

Dr Okedere explained that, when there is low level of thyroid hormone production, a gland in the brain called the pituitary gland produces a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone which now acts on the thyroid gland thereby stimulating it to increase in size in order to produce more thyroid hormone, hence goitre.

Experts have submitted that iodine deficiency is the most common cause of thyroid disorders worldwide, leading to goitre formation and hypothyroidism. In iodine-repleted areas, most persons with thyroid disorders have autoimmune disease.

Almost one-third of the world’s population live in areas of iodine deficiency. In areas where the daily iodine intake is less than 50 micro grammes, goitre is usually endemic, and when the daily intake falls below 25 micro gramme, congenital hypothyroidism is seen. The prevalence of goitre in areas of severe iodine deficiency can be as high as 80 per cent. Populations at particular risk tend to be remote and people living in mountainous areas in South-East Asia, Latin America and Central Africa, experts revealed.

Dr Okedere added: “Common causes of hypothyroidism include iodine deficiency in food. Hashimoto’s disease is a condition in which the body fights itself. The body produces antibodies that destroy the cells that produce thyroid hormones. The low level of thyroid is sensed by the pituitary gland which in turn stimulates the thyroid gland to grow big and produce more.

“Hyperthyroidism can cause goitre too. An example of such is Graves’ disease. In this case, the body produces antibodies which are stimulatory in function. These antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland to grow big and produce high level of thyroid hormones. Thyroid cancers can also mimic goitre in that it can make the thyroid gland grow big.”

Also, the symptoms of goitre depends on what the cause is or how larger it is.

Dr Okedere posited that if it is due to hypothyroidism, symptoms may include, decrease body metabolism rate, slow mental process, skin thickness, cold etc and if it is due to hyperthyroidism, symptoms are the opposite of the above. In addition, hyperthyroidism can also predispose to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, he revealed.

Furthermore, goitre isn’t an overtly dangerous ailment, but when it is at the extreme, treatment could be aggressive.

“Goitre rarely kills except when there is excess of thyroid hormone. It could damage the heart, among other things associated with thyrotoxicosis. Also, if it compresses the airway, it may lead to choking and go cancerous.

“As for prevention, this can be done by ensuring daily intake of minimum requirement of 50micro grammes of iodine per day. It can also be prevented by ensuring that common salt sold in the market is fortified with iodine, people feeding majorly on sea foods may not require supplements as seaweeds, shrimp, tuna oil, cod fish which are sources of iodine. Other sources include milk and egg,” the doctor concluded.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/your-health/item/31065-goitre-can-predispose-to-hypertension-and-cardiovascular-disease