Already India has reached a 70% rate across the population for at least 1 vaccination shot, with nearly 60% having received both shots early in 2022. Now a new issue seems to be rearing its head, some doctors report that patients are complaining of post-covid symptoms associated with thyroiditis.
Of course, we’ve heard plenty about other possible post-covid complications over these past couple of years, from long-Covid to loss of smell and taste, to possible loss of sleep. Not everyone needs to fear these issues, but it is helpful to understand what potential complications you need to watch for. And Thyroiditis may be the latest one. And just to be safe, you should book your thyroid test today.
Did you know?
The thyroid is a small but very important gland located in your neck region (just above the breastbone) responsible for producing and releasing very important hormones into your body. These thyroid hormones control and regulate your body’s metabolism and also influence the functioning of other vital organs. Metabolism is the rate at which your cells and organs do their jobs and run the processes to produce energy.
Thyroiditis is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes inflamed. This can cause increased or decreased levels of thyroid hormones, which results in a range of thyroid symptoms. Here’s how thyroiditis typically presents:
These are just a few of the thyroid problems you may experience, individual symptoms may differ slightly. Why does the thyroid get inflamed? There are several causes, here is a quick list to help you understand:
Patients with moderate to critical COVID-19 with no history of thyroid disease, reported altered thyroid function in more than 60% of patients during the food outbreak in the outpatient departments. Low TSH with or without lower-than-normal levels of T3 were the most frequent alterations found in these patients, monitoring is very helpful in such patients.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
The last cause of thyroiditis is the one we’re interested in. It has been reported that multiple patients are coming back to their doctor’s after Covid-19 recovery with complaints of symptoms leading to more and more thyroiditis cases.
COVID-19 has been linked to many post infection complications including subacute thyroiditis (SAT) due to production anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies by immune system which attacks the thyroid gland. Subacute thyroiditis (SAT), also known as de Quatrain thyroiditis, is a self-limiting thyroid disorder.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Experts agree that thyroiditis is not unique to Covid-19, it has been seen that many people with low or poor immunity tend to have a higher risk of developing thyroiditis after a viral infection. Recovery from subacute thyroiditis happens within 4-12 months based on each case. Not everyone will experience this complication, it can affect people across demographics, although middle-aged people seem to have a higher risk currently.
Another thing to note is that people without any previous history of thyroid problems can still experience thyroiditis (whether post-covid or not). If you’re wondering whether you could have thyroiditis, look out for these classic symptoms that may be due to a thyroid disorder-
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor might want you to get tested. Book your thyroid test today.
Typically, the above thyroid problems will show up between 3-60 days after Covid-19. One major complication of untreated, undiagnosed thyroiditis is the possibility of a thyroid storm. A thyroid storm may be life-threatening. If you have recovered from Covid-19 and are noticing any of the above symptoms, be sure to get yourself tested. Fortunately, there is an easy way your doctor can diagnose your situation, by measuring the number of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and TSH in your blood. Book a thyroid profile test today to find out whether you may have thyroiditis or not. This test checks for the levels T3 and T4 hormones as well as the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH). Once you get your results, your doctor will be able to diagnose the problem and prescribe you the necessary treatment which usually shows positive results very soon. The right specialist to consult for a thyroid disorder would be an endocrinologist, if not available near you consult a general physician but do not ignore this condition.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Your 50’s should be the prime of your life. Most people imagine a comfortable family life with fewer worries than in your younger days. But poor health can rob you of this peaceful future. Luckily, with advances in medicine, there is plenty you can do to keep good health.
A trend we see is people visiting the doctor only when something goes wrong. While this type of curative medicine is common, preventive health is fast becoming an integral part of medicine. After all, having an increased lifespan is only enjoyable if you have a longer health span too!
Mammograms and Pap smears in females and prostate examinations apart from the routine heart, kidney and liver function tests are highly recommended in elderly and geriatric people to prevent and probably diagnose diseases at an early stage.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
Preventative medical tests help to catch early warning signs of potential issues before any symptoms show up. There are a variety of screening tests that are recommended based on age milestones. When you are 50, your risk of developing long term serious medical issues rises.
Eating healthy, avoiding poor lifestyle choices (like smoking) and getting regular exercise are all part of preventive health care. But some medical conditions (for example, cancer) can affect even the most healthy person. Before you ask what medical tests do I need at 50? Let us first answer the question – how do these screening tests help you?
Not only blood tests, one should visit a doctor for a physical examination, eye exam, dental check-ups, echo, TMT etc. after 50.
Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
By having regular checkups and tests during your 50s, you and your doctor can monitor your health. There are several key markers that can indicate what’s going on inside your body. In case your doctor notices some measurement in your blood is out of the normal range, they can inform you. This early warning allows you to start treatment early and avoid further damage to your body.
If you are in your 50s, these will be what the doctor prescribes when you ask them what medical tests do I need at 50? Let’s dive in:
The Cardiac Risk markers test acts as a holistic suite of tests to measure your risk of developing cardiac issues. These also include testing for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even examining your family history.
Along with that, there is the Lipid Profile Test to measure your triglycerides and cholesterol. This is helpful not only for trying to ascertain heart problems but also pancreatitis and other issues.
Meeting with your cardiologist once a year is also recommended, especially if you are at risk for developing cardiovascular problems. Your cardiologist may perform only a physical exam or and ask about your health. But they may also prescribe:
Lastly, your doctor may also ask you to check your blood pressure regularly at home.
I routinely advise Hba1c, Liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, Prostate specific antigen for males, Pap smear for females, ECG, ECHO, TMT for all my patients above 50 yearly.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Your doctor may ask you to get these tests done several times a year if you have a high risk of diabetes. For those with a confirmed diabetes diagnosis, you may need to do an at-home blood glucose test more frequently.
Another important diabetes and prediabetes test is the HbA1c test, which measures the amount of haemoglobin in your blood that is attached to glucose. Since there has been an increase in diabetes cases in northern and western parts of India, this important test can help to detect and confirm diabetes.
Cancer treatment has come a long way and early screening is an important part of that. For men, it is recommended to take the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen test). This test helps to monitor for prostate cancer, depending on your level of PSA, you may be asked to get this test once every 2 – 4 years or less.
For women, there are several cancer screening tests. Mammography is a test to detect any abnormalities in the breasts, which could indicate breast cancer. A Pap smear test takes minute samples from the cervix for observation to detect cancerous or precancerous cells. It helps to preemptively detect cervical cancer. Another cancer test for women is the CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125) test, which can be used as a screening for ovarian cancer. It should be noted that high levels of CA 125 do not always mean cancer is present.
One other common cancer screening test, regardless of gender, is the CA 19.9 test (Cancer Antigen 19.9). It is used to detect antigens from pancreatic cancer but it may also indicate cirrhosis or other non-cancer issues.
Also Read: Is Lemon Good for Hair? Exploring Research-Based Facts and Myths
Even if you do not show any serious symptoms, things can still be going wrong inside. The older we get, the more our body’s natural repair and metabolism rate decreases. Slower metabolism also means that as you age, it becomes easier to put on weight. As you can see, it becomes more important as you hit 50 to make preventive tests part of your healthcare routine. With the right tests at the right time, you can avoid serious (and expensive) long term medical issues.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Our 30s are a time when we experience a rather heavy load of responsibilities – both on a personal as well as professional front. During these years and the years to follow, there is often not enough time for fun activities let alone time to focus on our mental health and physical well being. Stress and anxiety start to take a toll on us.
While occasional doctor visits are fine when something goes wrong, a proactive approach towards your health can save you immense time, pain and effort down the road. Medical tests are diagnostic screening tests that you can take before you notice any symptoms or feel sick. These can detect any potential danger signs and treatment can start right away. This is called preventive care and it can save lives.
Here are a few tests you should consider undergoing –
The cholesterol levels in your blood are highly correlated with your heart and overall health and being 30 is no excuse to ignore your heart health. Even if you do not have diabetes or are not obese and seem to be physically fit, many people can still have increased levels of bad cholesterol or LDL which can adversely affect their heart health if it is left unchecked. Getting a Lipid profile test not only reveals your LDL level but also screens for other things like triglycerides and HDL, which means you’ll know your levels of these as well.
Blood pressure can be easily affected by many factors like work stress, diet and personal factors (family issues or similar). The ideal blood pressure in a resting state is 120/80. Our blood pressure changes throughout the day and at different stages of our lives. That is why it is best to let your doctor decide if your present blood pressure reading is normal. If it is not, then you may have to undergo frequent blood pressure checks and take blood pressure medication as well.
There are several heart related medical tests you can do by the time you turn 35 but that is the latest recommended age to start. It would be more preferable if you can begin getting your heart tested earlier (especially if you’re experiencing some kind of chest pain, irregularity of heartbeat or pulse rate, tightness in the chest, etc). An ECG test measures the electrical signals from your heart as it beats while an Echo test uses sound waves to view your heart, its structure and any abnormalities in real-time. This can allow a cardiologist to find out if you have any risk of developing heart disease and it should be repeated yearly even if your results are normal. There are some blood tests called cardiac risk markers which can also help in assessing heart health.
For both men and women, there are several cancer screenings you can undergo in your 30s and 40s as recommended by the oncology community. A Pap Smear test looks for precancerous changes in the cervix of women, it should be conducted at least every 5 years but in conjunction with the Human Papillomavirus test once a woman turns 30. For men, there is the Prostate Cancer screening test, which is a medical test of the blood that helps to determine your risk of developing prostate cancer. It needs to be done every 2 or 3 years.
Women should also consider making breast examination a part of their yearly medical check-up along with their regular physical examination. Usually, women younger than 40 are not recommended to undergo a mammogram. This examination helps in the early detection of breast cancer which can help in treating it timely.
Lastly, a full body examination to screen for skin cancer is also vital when you’re in your mid-30s, it should be repeated as often as possible since melanoma is one of the most common types of cancer.
Diabetes is on the rise and almost 77 million people in India live with diabetes. To prevent diabetes or if you are in the pre-diabetes stage, then you need to get a blood sugar test done annually. Both fasting and postprandial blood glucose tests along with HbA1c are recommended to help your doctor understand if you are at risk of developing diabetes.
Apart from the above-mentioned medical check-ups, there are a number of other screening tests you should do, if not yearly then at least every 2 years (again, this is regardless of any preexisting symptoms).
There is overwhelming evidence that early detection leads to better chances of survival, across all types of diseases and disorders that affect humans. From your 30s onward, even if you feel like you’re at your physical peak, underneath it all the body starts its slow march toward ageing. So don’t ignore the wisdom of the Preventive medical check-ups, get yourself booked with a few of these tests, the benefits far outweigh the expenses. With at-home medical tests easily available through a variety of online platforms, busy work life is no longer an excuse to avoid being serious about your health.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
