Dr Vanderpump considers

About congenital hypothyroidism

Commonly referred to as CHT, congenital hypothyroidism is found present in one out of every 3,500 to 4,000 new-born babies and it’s twice as common in girls as boys.

Thyroid disorders and their effect on cognitive function, mood and emotions

A healthy thyroid plays a vital part in brain chemistry, so we should not be surprised that a thyroid disorder can cause unpredictable mood changes. For example those with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can suddenly feel tense and anxious. They may experience panic attacks, impatience, be overactive and have an exaggerated sensitivity to noise.

10 myths about PCOS

There are some common myths surrounding the condition of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. There is no “cure” for PCOS but there are ways that you can be helped depending on your symptoms.  I thought I would clarify things by debunking those I hear the most:

Discussing Hashimoto's Disease

Hashimoto’s disease is more correctly known as “Autoimmune Thyroiditis” (AT) because the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland as a threat to the body. This causes your immune system to produce special antibodies which inflame and destroy the thyroid cells.

Pregnancy and Thyroid Disease

Increased thyroid levels in the blood can be caused by two pregnancy-related hormones.  These are hCG and oestrogen.

What's the difference between Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes

Although both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes share the inability to control the normal level of blood sugar, they are two entirely different conditions.

Thyroid problems and trying to conceive

As it's National Fertility Awareness Week I thought iLd talk a little about  how thyroid problems can affect fertility in both men and women.

How to keep insulin levels down for the ideal PCOS diet

Young women with PCOS often struggle with their weight because of high levels of insulin in their blood. Here's how to tackle that problem in terms of diet.

Hypocalcaemia - description, symptoms, causes and treatment

Hypocalcaemia is the term for an abnormally low level of calcium in the body. Although it is an uncommon condition, it is found equally in men and women and can occur at any age.  If there’s a low level of calcium in the blood (serum calcium) it can cause problems since it regulates the many processes that make cells work.

About Graves Orbitopathy

It is common for the onset of thyroid eye disease – referred to as Graves Orbitopathy (or GO) - to occur within 18 months of the onset of hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease.

Osteoporosis treatment and its current challenges

Osteoporosis is recognised as a common disease of major importance in day to day health care. It is a disease of our ageing Western civilisation and its consequences - fractured wrist, vertebra or hip - are associated with chronic illness and indeed death. The statistics are pretty thought provoking:

What time should I take my Levothyroxine?

There are very few guidelines in terms of the timing of taking Levothyroxine. Here's the latest thinking

Do I have a goitre?

Goitres are a visible thyroid swelling which can occur with an overactive, underactive or normally functioning thyroid gland. 

Should all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes?

With an average of 7 out of every 100 pregnant women developing gestational diabetes should the UK bbe putting a screening programme in place?

Treatment of Primary Hypothyroidism and the L-T4/L-T3 debate

Treatment of Primary Hypothyroidism and the L-T4/L-T3 debate

 The 2015 position statement of the BTA

I’m on Levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid but I still don’t feel well

Why you may not feel instantly better despite treatment

Could you have Hypothyroidism?

One million British women have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  Many more may not realise that they have the condition.

The importance of maintaining good levels of Iodine

Did you know Iodine controls the metabolic rate, our growth and development AND the development of the brain and nervous system of a foetus?

Can I eat fruit if I'm trying to lose weight?

So fruit is good for you but fruit sugars are not. Help!

How replacement Thyroxine came about

We've come a long way since we first solved our thyroid problems with the help of sheep!

About Hypogonadism and those low testosterone levels

Chronic tiredness is often due to our breakneck pace of life but, gentlemen, if you are experiencing other symptoms such as loss of hair and libido you probably ought to get a check up...

Vitamin D deficiency and diabetes

A recent Spanish study suggests that the combination of Vitamin D deficiency and obesity may heighten the risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders 

Thyroid Disease and Osteoporosis

We already know that hormones play an essential role in the development of the skeleton but could hypothyroidism lead to an increased suceptability to osteoporosis?

Type 2 Diabetes and Ethnicity

Did you know that increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes is linked to ethnicity?

Watch your waistline

There is continued evidence that obesity is a major contributing factor in the onset of Diabetes 2

The one size TSH test doesn't fit all

I'm afraid the standard TSH test takes no account of individual difference