Thyroid problems?

[jenmichigan]

One of my dive buddies has a low thyroid problem and takes a pill everyday to adjust for this. I believe the name of the drug is synthroid (?). I read in one of the other posts that high thyroid may cause problems and wondered if it was the same for low thyroid?

Thanks in advance,
Jennifer
http://www.MichiganShipwrecks.com

 

[scubadoc]

Generally, a person who has high or low thyroid function can dive if their condition has been corrected. Synthroid ('synthetic thyroid hormone'), when given in the proper dosage, can cause the person to have normal thyroid function. There is no contra-indication to diving when this is the case.

Too much thyroid hormone, either with a natural excess or when too much medication is taken is harmful to divers in several ways. It can cause heart irregularities, rapid heart rate and can increase the risk of oxygen toxicity in divers using nitrox at shallow dcepths.

In addition, some high thyroid patients have protrusion of the eyeballs (exophthalmos). This is a definite risk to divers due to the possibility of mask squeeze and corneal irritation.

You can read more about the thyroid and diving at our web page at http://www.scuba-doc.com/endmet.html#The_Thyroid_and_Diving

 

[Pixurman]

Jen,
I'm glad you asked this question cause I should have. I had high thyroid which was fixed with radiation. Then it went low and has been corrected with systhroid (.125). My thyroid has been stable for several years, so I never gave it a second thought.

Thanks,

 

[Norm]

Hey Jennifer. Thyroidism, whether hypo or hyper, usually isn't a contraindiction to diving - if treated properly. (The doc pretty well covered all the bases here. I myself have hypothroidism and have no problems, even with trimix dives. It's weird though....me, a girl I sometimes dive with and my best dive bud all have thyroid problems! =:-0
Norm

 

[jenmichigan]

Thanks Norm,

Thyroid problems do seems to be more and more common. Although I don't have any myself I know quite a few people that do. Thanks for letting me know about your experiences.

Jennifer,
http://www.MichiganShipwrecks.com

 

[howie]

Hi there,

Does anyone else on the forum have particular thyroid problems? Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism ... or perhaps some other forms, as well.

 

[Deefstes]

Wow! This one might well take some award for the most ancient thread to be revived