THYROID SPECIALIST – DHA LAHORE
Dr. Rizwan Niazi (MBBS, MRCP, MCPS, MD) provides specialist hypothyroidism care for patients across Lahore, DHA, and Pakistan. Accurate diagnosis, personalised treatment, and long-term monitoring.
پاکستان میں لاکھوں خواتین تھائیرائیڈ کی کمزوری کا شکار ہیں مگر انہیں پتہ نہیں ہوتا۔ تھکاوٹ، وزن بڑھنا، بالوں کا گرنا، اور سردی لگنا اس بیماری کی عام علامات ہیں۔ صرف ایک خون کا ٹیسٹ TSH اس کی تشخیص کر سکتا ہے۔ ڈاکٹر رضوان سے آج ہی ملیں۔
Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland is underactive, it does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This slows down nearly every process in the body, from your heartbeat to your metabolism.
The thyroid gland normally produces hormones that regulate how fast the body works. When output is too low, the body slows down, causing fatigue, weight gain, low mood, and many other symptoms that are often dismissed as stress or aging.
In Pakistan, hypothyroidism is particularly common among women, yet it frequently goes undiagnosed for months or years. A simple blood test measuring TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is all that is needed to screen for it.
Hypothyroidism symptoms are often gradual and easy to dismiss. If you recognise several of these, a TSH blood test is the right first step.
Persistent fatigue and sluggishness, weight gain without change in diet, feeling cold even in warm weather, slow heart rate, and a puffy face especially around the eyes.
Hair thinning or hair loss, dry rough skin, brittle nails, thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows, and a pale or yellowish skin tone.
Low mood or depression, brain fog and difficulty concentrating, poor memory, constipation, and irregular or heavier periods.
Most hypothyroidism in Pakistan is caused by autoimmune disease or follows previous thyroid treatment. Iodine deficiency also remains a factor in some regions.
The most common cause. The body’s immune system produces antibodies that gradually damage the thyroid, reducing its ability to make hormones over time. More common in women and often runs in families. Detectable by a TPO antibody blood test, it can be present for years before symptoms appear.
People who have had radioactive iodine treatment for an overactive thyroid, or who have had part or all of the thyroid removed surgically, often develop hypothyroidism afterwards as a planned outcome. Very manageable with thyroid hormone replacement, with the dose adjusted over time through regular monitoring.
Less common causes include iodine deficiency (more common in areas away from major cities), certain medications that affect thyroid function, problems with the pituitary gland in the brain, and thyroiditis following pregnancy (post-partum thyroiditis).
Diagnosis is based on blood tests, but accurate interpretation requires specialist knowledge. Dr. Rizwan reviews all results in the context of your symptoms.
TSH is the most sensitive test for thyroid problems. A high TSH means the pituitary gland is working harder to stimulate an underperforming thyroid. This is the first test to order.
If TSH is high, Free T4 is measured to confirm the thyroid is underproducing. A low Free T4 alongside a high TSH confirms primary hypothyroidism.
TPO antibodies identify whether an autoimmune process (Hashimoto’s) is the cause. This is important for prognosis and monitoring frequency.
If the thyroid gland feels enlarged or there is neck swelling, an ultrasound scan gives a detailed view of the gland’s size and structure. Available in Lahore.
Hypothyroidism is one of the most treatable hormonal conditions. Most patients feel significantly better once the right treatment level is established.
The standard treatment is a daily tablet that replaces the hormone the gland is not producing enough of. Taken once a day, usually in the morning on an empty stomach. Most patients notice improvement within 4 to 8 weeks once the correct dose is established, and the dose is adjusted based on follow-up blood tests. Most patients take it long term.
The most common reason patients on treatment still feel unwell is an incorrect dose. Too low and symptoms persist; too high and a new set of problems can develop. Dr. Rizwan reviews both blood test results and your symptoms together, not just the number on a lab report. This is especially important during pregnancy, where thyroid requirements increase significantly.
A general blood test can tell you your TSH is abnormal, but getting the treatment right and keeping it right over time requires a specialist. Dr. Rizwan manages hypothyroidism with a detailed, personalised approach that goes beyond simply prescribing a standard dose. He sees patients in Lahore and DHA and offers online consultations for patients from other cities in Pakistan.
Hypothyroidism means the thyroid is underactive, it produces too little hormone, causing fatigue, weight gain, and feeling cold. Hyperthyroidism is the opposite, too much hormone, causing weight loss, anxiety, and heart palpitations. Both are diagnosed with blood tests and are treatable.
In most cases, hypothyroidism requires long-term management rather than a one-time cure. However, with the correct treatment and regular monitoring, the vast majority of patients live completely normal, symptom-free lives. Some cases, such as post-viral thyroiditis, can be temporary.
Untreated or under-treated hypothyroidism during pregnancy can affect both the mother and baby. However, with specialist monitoring and correct treatment, women with hypothyroidism have healthy pregnancies and babies all the time. The treatment dose usually needs to increase in pregnancy, and Dr. Rizwan monitors this closely.
Feeling unwell despite a ‘normal’ TSH is a common issue. The problem is that normal ranges are very wide, what is technically normal may not be optimal for you as an individual. Dr. Rizwan reviews symptoms alongside blood tests to find the right balance for each patient.
Yes, a slow thyroid slows metabolism, which can lead to gradual weight gain that is hard to lose with diet alone. Once the thyroid is treated correctly, metabolism normalises. However, some weight gain may also have other causes which Dr. Rizwan will assess at your consultation.
Yes. Low thyroid hormone affects brain chemistry and is a recognised cause of depression. Patients are sometimes treated for depression for months before a thyroid blood test reveals the underlying cause. If treatment for depression is not working, ask to have your thyroid checked.
DHA LAHORE
Book a consultation with Dr. Rizwan Niazi for accurate diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan.
Suit# 154 CCA, DD, near Nadra office, Phase 4 Sector DD, DHA Phase 4, Lahore · Mon–Sat, by appointment