Prof: “Did you run to the hospital from home? Your pulse does seem like you did!”

This is my 6^th year suffering from hyperthyroidism.  I have stopped medication for 2 years now, and it’s slowly coming back and getting worse. Today, the prof. hit me with bad news- no competitive sports and no scuba diving until I tell you so. Reluctant, I looked it up on the internet and every article proved the prof right. I paid close to SGD 400 for 10 mins of the prof’s time, medication and blood tests. And I wonder if I should come back to this hospital since it’s 4 times more than the previous hospital. There was not waiting queue and I was treated first class. We’ll think about it.

8 pills a day will make me lose hair, sleep. I will gain nothing but weight. But maybe I will become a better person! I couldn’t complete the previous treatment. But I know this time, if I commit it to God and ask him to help me, I can do it. I will delinquently take 4 pills instead of 8 everyday and see how it goes after 6 weeks. After years, im still back at square one, starting on my treatment again.  it doesn’t end here. This treatment will go on for the next few years. I am considering surgery

http://www.divecartagena.com/dan.html

It may not be in a person's best interests to scuba dive with untreated symptomatic hyperthyroidism (i.e., having an overactive thyroid gland). The thyroid is a vital gland that secretes the hormone thyroxine, which helps regulate body metabolism. In excess quantities, this hormone can increase the heart rate or produce cardiac problems, affect respiratory rate, decrease body weight and even interact with the central nervous system. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can also include discomfort and anxiety.

Cardiac effects of hyperthyroidism include tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), serious dysrhythmias and heart failure. Hyperthyroidism can also cause muscular weakness and periodic paralysis.

The output of the thyroid gland can be controlled by medication, radiation, radioactive iodine or surgery. These procedures reduce the function of the thyroid and the amount of hormone released. Once the hormone level has been reduced to within the normal range (as assessed by blood tests), and the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism have resolved, a diver with a thyroid condition may resume diving, as long as he has no other major health problems and is physically fit.

Individuals who are treated for hyperthyroidism may in turn become hypothyroid (have reduced thyroid function) and may require supplemental thyroxine to raise their hormone levels back into the normal range. It is vital for all individuals with thyroid ailments to have their thyroid function measured regularly by blood tests. This can help diagnose hypo- and hyperthyroidism and can indicate the efficacy of treatment.

Participation in recreational scuba diving is usually considered safe for individuals with hyperthyroidism when they show no signs of the ailment and have normal thyroxine levels.