Specialist for Kaiserslautern: “Sensitive” thyroid

KAISERSLAUTERN. Almost all processes in the body are influenced by thyroid hormones. Even slight deviations in these hormones can therefore have an immense impact on our well-being. As thyroid specialist Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Christian Wüster knows, it is not uncommon for medication to be the cause when the hormone production of the thyroid gland is derailed. “If patients suddenly develop abnormal thyroid values, the medication should always be put to the test,” emphasizes the experienced physician.

Important for patients from Kaiserslautern: Heart therapy can affect the thyroid gland

Which drugs can disrupt the function of the thyroid gland? According to endocrinologist Prof. Dr. Wüster, one possible candidate is the active ingredient amiodarone, which is used to treat cardiac arrhythmia: “Around 15 to 20 percent of patients treated with it develop thyroid problems. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are conceivable side effects. This means that either too little or too much thyroid hormone is released.” However, the medication does not have to be discontinued in this case: “The altered thyroid values can be well controlled by substituting thyroid hormones with medication. In some cases, glucocorticoids are given as a supplement.” It is also important to treat pre-existing thyroid disease appropriately.

Psychotropic drugs and cancer drugs also affect the thyroid, according to the doctor for Kaiserslautern

Prof. Dr. Wüster cites psychotropic drugs as another cause of altered thyroid levels: “We now know that up to 20 percent of patients who receive lithium develop hypothyroidism.” Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness. According to Prof. Dr. Wüster, atypical neuroleptics can also lead to hypothyroidism. These drugs are prescribed for schizophrenia, for example. Certain newer cancer drugs can also trigger hypothyroidism as an undesirable side effect. Specifically, these are so-called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). “With every TKI therapy, the patient’s thyroid levels should be closely monitored,” says specialist Prof. Dr. Wüster. If the values are not correct, they can be counteracted by substituting them with thyroid hormones. “An underactive thyroid, regardless of the underlying cause, must always be treated,” emphasizes the thyroid specialist.