1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

The thyroid, as a center for maintaining your metabolism, is an important organ. Unfortunately, the thyroid is also often misunderstood. There are several pervasive myths about the thyroid that we will dispel today.

1. Hypothyroidism will keep me from losing weight.

While hypothyroidism will make it more difficult for you to lose weight, any people have been treated for this disease without gaining weight. The main problem is that hypothyroidism brings on fatigue, which will hamper a person's ability to be active. After treatment, you should be able to step up your activity level again and lose weight or maintain it. Weight loss may be more difficult, but it can still happen.

2. Hyperthyroidism will keep me from gaining weight.

Older patients and some others may gain weight with this disease. Most people will lose weight, but if you do not, it doesn't mean you cannot have hyperthyroidism. Only a blood test can tell for sure.

3. Thyroid medications must be taken for life.

Yes, many people must take thyroid hormone replacement for life. These are people that have had their thyroid removed, or mostly destroyed due to surgery or treatments. But sometimes hypothyroidism is only a temporary problem, requiring medications for a period of time. You will probably be asked to try going off of it for a time to see if you still need it. Subacute thyroiditis, silent thyrpoiditis, postpartum thyroiditis and acute thyroiditis are some conditions that may be temporary. Talk to your doctor about your condition.

4. I can catch thyroid disease from someone else.

While you could inherit thyroid disease, you cannot catch' it from others. Two people in close quarters only catch it if they are both exposed to something that harms the thyroid (lack of iodine, radiation exposure). You cannot catch' it and you are not contagious' to others.

5. Deficiency in iodine is a "medical problem".

A lack of sufficient iodine will cause "hypothyroidism, goiter, and cretinism (when severe)", however, this is not a disease that would respond to the introduction of iodine as a medical treatment. Iodine deficiency is more of a "social, economic, and political problem. In areas of the world where this problem is severe, it is very difficult to treat because of the poverty, social, cultural and even governmental status quo.

6. The only accurate and reliable way to diagnose my thyroid problem is with a TSH test.

Most people are diagnosed using the TSH test (a blood test), but many doctors diagnose by a patients

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Common myths about thyroid diseases?
We want to hear your view. Write now!