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Showing posts with the label Thyroid

Lean Fatty Liver: Why Slim People Get It and What Helps

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Lean fatty liver surprises many people. You are not overweight, you may even be told you look thin, and yet an ultrasound report mentions a fatty liver. This is common in India and the rest of South Asia, and it has a clear explanation. This guide covers why it happens, how it is checked, and the practical steps that help when the scale does not seem to be the problem. Quick answer: Lean fatty liver means fat has built up in the liver in someone with a normal body mass index. In South Asians it is often driven by fat stored around the waist and inside the abdomen, insulin resistance, and a diet heavy in refined carbohydrates and sugar. It is assessed the same way as other fatty liver, and a modest weight loss of around 3 to 5%, better food quality and regular exercise usually help. Key takeaways ✅ A normal BMI does not rule out fatty liver, especially in South Asians. ✅ Waist size often tells more than weight. ✅ The liver scarring check (FIB-4, then a stiffness scan if n...

Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: Symptoms, Goiter, Tests and Treatment

Graves' disease is the most common cause of an overactive thyroid ( hyperthyroidism ). It is an autoimmune condition: the immune system makes antibodies that switch the thyroid gland on, so it produces too much thyroid hormone and often swells into a goiter . It is much more common in women and usually starts between the ages of 20 and 50. This guide covers the symptoms, eye changes, tests, and the three main treatment options. Quick answer: Common signs of Graves' disease are weight loss despite a good appetite, a fast or irregular heartbeat, tremor, sweating, heat intolerance, anxiety, loose stools, a swelling in the neck (goiter) and, in some people, bulging or gritty, red eyes. Blood tests show a low TSH with high free T4 and/or free T3, and TSH-receptor antibodies (TRAb) confirm Graves'. Treatment is with anti-thyroid tablets (carbimazole or methimazole), radioactive iodine, or surgery, usually with a beta-blocker to control symptoms at first. Key takeaways ✅...