On the occasion of World Thyroid Day(25 May), here are 10 commonly questions with answers by an endocrinologist: 🧵
1. What is thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the front of the neck. We all have heard people say“I have thyroid” 1/n “I have thyroid” – that’s actually peculiar because everybody has thyroid technically. They actually might mean that they have a thyroid disorder, such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or thyroid nodules, which we will talk about subsequently. 2/n

Doses of other antidiabetic medications in Ramadan fasting —
All you need to know
A thread 🧵
Antidiabetic drugs such as metformin, acarbose, Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), Glucagon-like peptide-1 rec agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors work 1/n

https://twitter.com/drsarahalam/status/1638863643256279041

in a glucose dependent manner & usually have a low risk of hypoglycaemia.
These medicines generally don’t require any dose change during Ramadan,unless there is a past history of the patient of having developed hypoglycemia on these medications, we continue them in same dose.2/n

I had a difficult time convincing a patient with newly diagnosed Primary Hypothyroidism that she needs to be started on LEVOTHYROXINE asap. Her main concern, similar to many other patients, was that,“Once I start medication, I will have to continue for life.” 1/5
#Hypothyroidism Yes, it’s true that Levothyroxine needs to be taken life-long in patients with autoimmune condition - Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. But the reason is not that - once you start, you won’t be able to stop. Similar logic is used with Insulin. 2/5

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is an enzyme localized in the normal thyroid gland. TPO plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones. A TPO antibody test detects antibodies against TPO.

TPO antibodies are checked in patients having primary hypothyroidism 1/n to help establish underlying etiology. If TPO antibodies are positive, it suggests cause is autoimmune (eg. Hashimoto’s disease).
Some people with positive TPO antibodies may have normal thyroid function. It means that they are at risk of future thyroid dysfunction 2/n

A thread on ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY 🧵
Adrenal glands are small triangular shaped endocrine glands situated on top of the kidneys. They look like “KIDNEY HATS”. Although not as “famous” as other endocrine glands, nevertheless they are ESSENTIAL for life!
1/n

https://twitter.com/theliverdr/status/1532887350488928256

Primary adrenal insufficiency (AI), also known as Addison's disease, is a rare condition where the adrenal glands do not make the cortisol (a “stress” hormone) properly. So there is deficiency of cortisol in the body.
2/n

INSULIN MYTHS:A THREAD 🧵
MYTH 1: Insulin injections are very painful.
Fact: Newer insulin needles are very thin & almost painless. Patients check sugar level by finger pricks and insulin injections are much less painful than that. It is very easy to take by the pen devices. 1/n

https://twitter.com/drsarahalam/status/1498712216241344514

MYTH 2: Insulin is addictive/habitual
Fact: You cannot get addicted to insulin. Since type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, eventually your body may require insulin. When sugar targets are not achieved by the maximal dose of anti-diabetic medications, insulin is advised.
2/n