Medical Questions » Glands Questions » Question No. 422
| Question: | Fourteen years ago a specialist physician informed me that I had Hashimoto' s disease. He prescribed Oroxine tablets for me to take for the rest of my life. Would you be able to explain Hashimoto' s disease to me? |
| Answer: | Hashimoto' s thyroiditis is a relatively common disease of the thyroid gland at the front of your neck.
In this disease, the thyroid gland becomes enlarged (a goitre) and ceases to function efficiently, and in due course produces less thyroxine than is required by the body. The exact cause is unknown.
The missing thyroxine is replaced by taking the same substance in tablet form. This causes the goitre to shtink, and the petson can lead a perfectly normal life.
After initial stabilisation, blood tests every year or so are necessary to ensure that you are receiving the correct number and strength of thyroxine tablets. Oroxine is a trade name for one brand of thyroxine-containing tablets. |
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