News by Subject

Thyroid 'risk from pre-eclampsia'

(BBC 18/11/2009)

Pregnant women with the potentially dangerous condition pre-eclampsia may be more likely to suffer from thyroid problems, research suggests. Teams from the US and Norway found those with the condition had a raised risk of an under-active thyroid, which can lead to fatigue and depression. They say women showing signs of pre-eclampsia need thyroid checks as well as standard heart and kidney checks. The study appears in the British Medical Journal.

Read background >>
Comment on this story >>

Health advice: underactive thyroid

(Telegraph 17/09/2009)

Although I am healthy and a normal weight I suffer from low energy levels. I often feel weak and faint, and find it difficult to get up in the morning. Many days I feel tired and sluggish until I exercise. A blood test has shown I have an underactive thyroid (my thyroxine level is 9.8). Is this the cause of my symptoms? If so, what do I do about it? I am wary of going on long-term medication. (Hypothyroidism)

Read background >>
Discuss this in our forum >>

Thyroid disorders 'misdiagnosed'

(BBC 27/03/2009)

People with a suspected underactive thyroid are being mistreated and misinformed, experts warn. NHS doctors abide by expert guidelines - but the British Thyroid Association (BTA) says the problem comes when patients go outside the NHS. The BTA warns that information on the web and in the media about alternative ways of diagnosing and treating the condition are leading people to turn to alternative methods of diagnosis and treatments. It says urine tests, saliva tests and measuring body temperature are not reliable ways of diagnosing the condition.

Read background >>
View comments on this story (1) >> Comment on this story >>

Short-term prescriptions blasted

(BBC 16/03/2009)

Patients with a thyroid disorder should be exempt from the widespread trend of giving just 28 days' worth of medication, campaigners say. As well as being inconvenient, they say it means the NHS in England is paying for unnecessary prescriptions. Around 18m scripts for underactive thyroid medication were issued in 2007, but campaigners say the number would be cut if they were issued for longer.

Read background >>
View comments on this story (1) >> Comment on this story >>