Written question asked by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Friday, 17 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 April 2009. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Thursday, 23 April 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Thyroid Gland: Diseases

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the treatment of people with hypothyroidism; what definition his Department uses of hypothyroidism; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Department has not developed a policy for the treatment of people with hypothyroidism. The Clinical Knowledge Summaries website"http://cks.library.nhs.uk/search?&page=1&q= hypothyroidism&site=0"offers advice on the diagnosis and management of a range of conditions and symptoms, including hypothyroidism, that are commonly seen in primary care. The guidance is advisory and has been developed to assist health care professionals, together with patients, make decisions about the management of the patient's health.Hypothyroidism describes the general effects of a severely under active thyroid gland, where not enough hormones are produced to keep the body functioning properly.

Secondary information