Thyroid Patients in the Month of Ramadan
Author: Dr Yahya Mohd Aripin (General Surgeon Consultant)
Some may wonder if there are any changes to the treatment of thyroid disease during the month of Ramadan.
1. GENERAL
In general, there are no changes in terms of investigation and treatment of thyroid disease while fasting in the month of Ramadan. Fasting generally does not harm patients.
2. THYROID DISEASE INVESTIGATION
- Thyroid patients may need to undergo several tests such as blood tests, ultrasound, or biopsy. All of these tests do not harm the patients, and they do not invalidate fasting.
- However, for thyroid blood tests, studies have shown changes in thyroid hormone levels during fasting. Therefore, if the condition is not urgent, it is more appropriate to conduct thyroid blood tests not during Ramadan.
3. MEDICATION INTAKE
- Some thyroid patients receive medication treatment. This medication intake generally needs to be continued even while fasting.
- For hyperthyroid patients, they require anti-thyroid medication such as carbimazole. Sometimes this medication needs to be taken several times a day. However, the frequency of taking this medication can be adjusted. Patients can discuss with their doctor so that the medication can be taken during suhoor and iftar.
- The next question is, can hyperthyroid patients fast? The answer depends on the level of hyperthyroidism. Uncontrolled or incompletely controlled hyperthyroidism may not be suitable for fasting. Dehydration and rapid heartbeat caused by hyperthyroidism can be
exacerbated by fasting. However, controlled hyperthyroidism with no severe symptoms poses no problem for fasting. - Hypothyroid patients, on the other hand, require thyroxine medication. This medication needs to be taken on an empty stomach as food interferes with its absorption. Usually, thyroxine is taken half an hour before breakfast every day. But during Ramadan, as eating is not allowed during the day, this medication can be taken half an hour before suhoor. If there is difficulty in waking up early in the morning, it can also be taken before going to bed. But make sure the interval between the pre-dawn meal and going to bed is at least half an hour.
4. SURGERY
Some thyroid patients require surgery.
- If a patient is scheduled for thyroid surgery, this means they cannot fast for a period of 3 or 4 days to allow the patient to recover from surgery.
- However, most surgeries involving thyroid disease do not require immediate surgery; instead, they can be postponed until after Ramadan. Except in certain circumstances where surgery cannot be postponed, such as thyroid cancer or rapidly enlarging thyroid swelling causing difficulty swallowing or breathing, in these cases, surgery cannot be postponed.