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Q: I take medicine for a thyroid condition. Does this create any problem with diving?
A: When I was on staff at Duke University Medical Center and taking calls for the Divers Alert Network medical hotline, this was one of our most common ques- tions. The thyroid gland is small but critically important in controlling your metabolism, and it might be underactive or overactive. Benign or malignant tumors of the thyroid might require removal of part or all of the gland. Fortunately, med- ical science allows for external control or complete replacement of thyroid function by using prescription medication.
The most common condition associated with thyroid-gland function is hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormone, and supplements are needed. An overactive thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism, can also be controlled with medication.
Luckily for divers, the most common forms of synthetic thyroid hormone do not interfere at all with safe diving, and nearly all medical problems associated with the thyroid gland should not preclude diving once diagnosed, treated and stabilized.
