Bhaichung Bhutia struck by hyperthyroidism

Published>Thu, Jul 15 10 02:56 PM

Even as the Indian team sweats it out in Portugal, there is bad news for football fans back home as skipper Bhaichung Bhutia is down with Hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism is the term used for an overactive tissue within the thyroid gland, causing an overproduction of thyroid hormones (thyroxine or 'T4' and/or triiodothyronine or 'T3') in the blood. Thyroid hormone functions as a controller of the pace of all of the processes in the body. This pace is called metabolism. If there is too much thyroid hormone, every function of the body tends to speed up.

It is therefore not surprising that some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are nervousness, irritability, increased perspiration, heart racing, hand tremors, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, thinning of the skin, fine brittle hair, and muscular weakness. Weight loss, sometimes significant, despite a good appetite may also occur.

A senior official who refused to be named said that Bhutia has had a history of thyroid- related problems and, although medication has been prescribed, his deteriorating health had been a cause for concern for the team officials as well as the players. "We weren't able to diagnose Bhaichung's problem initially. He had complained of weakness and had bouts of fever. After conducting blood tests, we realised that his old nemesis - hyperthyroidism - had returned to haunt him," he told MAIL TODAY . "Although he has been prescribed medication and is under the strict observation, he isn't fit enough to practice with the team. He has also lost a lot of weight, something synonymous with hyperthyroidism. Bhaichung's already fragile physique has broken down terribly."

Reproduced From Mail Today. Copyright 2010. MTNPL. All rights reserved.

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