THYROID New Zealand

Many people only start wondering about what the thyroid gland is and does, after they have found out that their thyroid doesn't function properly. But what is the thyroid gland, what is its function and what does a healthy thyroid gland need to fulfill its role as it should?

We have collected a few links to informative articles about the thyroid gland and the endocrine system; the hormones produced by a healthy thyroid as well as their role in the body.

We have also included information about nutrients that need to be present in your diet to allow the thyroid gland to make those hormones and to enable them to do their job in the body.

For various reasons, the thyroid gland doesn't always function as it should. It may produce too many hormones or too few; become enlarged or develop lumps (nodules), and in some cases those lumps may prove to be cancerous. These thyroid conditions may present a multitude of symptoms.

We have included a page on this website where you will be able to find information about the most common thyroid conditions, some of their known causes, common signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. 

Depending on the signs and symptoms experienced by a patient, doctors may order blood tests or other tests to establish whether these signs and symptoms are caused by a thyroid condition. Other, non-laboratory tests may include an ultrasound, a radioactive iodine uptake test or a biopsy (to name a few).

After a patient has been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, and treatment for that condition has started, some of these tests are also used to monitor the success of the treatment.

We are giving you links to information about the most common tests. For the blood tests, we have also included the reference ranges that are used by some New Zealand laboratories.

The main method for the treatment of hypothyroidism, and one of the treatment options for hyperthyroidism, is the treatment with drugs. We provide information about possible side effects, drug - drug interactions and food - drug interactions as well as detailed information about thyroid drugs available on prescription in New Zealand, including links to the current data sheets.

Because some patients need or prefer to take brands or medicines that are not subsidised, approved or supplied in New Zealand, we also give information about the funding of medicines under Special Authority or under the Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) mechanism, and about prescribing and importing (unapproved) medicines from abroad.

There are also other treatment options available than medication. They are particularly important for the treatment of thyroid cancer, benign thyroid nodules or goitre, and the treatment of hyperthyroidism in patients for whom taking drugs isn't the right option. We have included information about radiation treatment (with radioactive iodine), surgery and radiofrequency ablation.

While most information about thyroid health and disease applies to everyone, there are a few exceptions.

With respect to reproduction and sexual health, we have included information for both men and women. There's more specific information about thyroid and pregnancy for women who would like to become pregnant, are pregnant or have recently given birth.

This site also contains links to information about thyroid conditions in children, as not only may there be differences in the causes of thyroid conditions in younger persons, they may - depending on their age - also experience (and understand) thyroid problems differently to adults.

We also provide information about thyroid conditions in older persons, and - although information is scarce - in certain ethnic groups in the New Zealand population.

Each year, during the week around World Thyroid Day (25 May), thyroid organisations around the world raise awareness for thyroid health issues. Also each year, in the month of September, thyroid organisations worldwide observe Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month during which they promote - among other things - early detection of thyroid cancer.

Obviously, Thyroid New Zealand supports these initiatives, however, being "thyroid aware" is important throughout the year and early detection and treatment of thyroid conditions, particularly thyroid cancer, is of the utmost importance. For that reason, we encourage all visitors to our website to read the information on our thyroid awareness page and to do the so-called neck-check regularly.

• Call for study participants (with medically diagnosed autoimmune disease and within the 18-30 age bracket), read more here.

• Eltroxin (levothyroxine) 50 mcg and 100 mcg tablets: Medicine notice (Pharmac, 18 April 2024; last updated on 22 August 2024)

Aspen NZ, the supplier of Eltroxin (levothyroxine), has informed Pharmac that the 50 mcg and 100 mcg tablets are changing. Click the above link for more information.

For more thyroid news, please, visit our Thyroid news page (under construction)

For (more) COVID-19 related news, please, visit our Thyroid and COVID-19 page.

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