Thyroid gland

Your thyroid gland sits in the front of your neck and helps control your metabolism. Read about the different thyroid hormones and thyroid problems.

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Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, or milk sugar. Learn more about treatment, symptoms and tests for lactose intolerance.

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Paget's disease of bone

Paget's disease is a condition that weakens and deforms your bones. Read more information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

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Total thyroidectomy (for thyrotoxicosis)

The thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces a hormone called thyroxine, which regulates your body's metabolism. The thyroid can become overactive, causing weight loss, sweatiness and eye problems.

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Calcium

Calcium strengthens bones, helps prevent osteoporosis and more. Find out how much you need for your age and how to find good sources of calcium.

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Calcium blood test

A calcium test indicates how much calcium is in your blood. Find out how this test helps doctors diagnose or monitor and treat your illness.

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Metabolic diseases

Metabolic disorders disrupt the way your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. Learn about symptoms and treatment here.

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Endocrine glands and their hormones

Find out more about the endocrine glands and hormones in your body, such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland and adrenal glands.

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Calcium channel blockers (CCB)

Find out what the most common types of calcium channel blockers are used for, how they work and any side effects associated with taking them.

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Dairy foods

Dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are rich sources of many vitamins and minerals, including calcium, which is essential to bone health.

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Parathyroid glands

Your parathyroid glands are small glands that are found in your neck and make parathyroid hormone (PTH). Find out more about PTH here.

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Kidney stones

Kidney stones are also known as urolithiasis. This is a common problem of the urinary system. Find out more about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

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Blood pressure medication

Blood pressure medicines ('antihypertensives'), such as ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and diuretics help manage high blood pressure.

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Osteoporosis medicines

Osteoporosis medicines include bisphosphonates, denosumab and hormonal treatments. Calcium, vitamin D and exercise are also important.

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Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that raise the risk of stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Find out its symptoms and treatments.

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Parathyroidectomy

Parathyroid glands can become overactive, causing an increase in the level of calcium in your blood. Surgery to remove any affected glands is the only reliable way to prevent long-term problems.

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Rickets

Rickets is a bone disease that can affect children with lack of vitamin D. Find out about the symptoms and treatments for rickets.

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Osteopaenia

If you have osteopaenia, your bones are weaker than normal. Osteopaenia is less severe than osteoporosis but you need to take care if you're at risk.

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Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy is the removal of part or all of your thyroid gland. It’s used to treat an enlarged or overactive thyroid gland or thyroid cancer.

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Post menopause

Post-menopause begins 12 months after your last period. Learn more about what to expect after menopause and health conditions that become more common.

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Malabsorption syndromes

Malabsorption syndrome refers to several disorders that affect someone’s ability to absorb nutrients from their food.

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Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D to function well. Learn about the symptoms, who's at risk and how to get enough vitamin D.

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Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome, formerly known as HNPCC, is a genetic condition that increases the risk of a person developing some cancers, such as bowel cancer. Learn more here.

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Metabolism

Metabolism refers to all the chemical processes your body uses to produce energy. Find out more about metabolism, what affects it and whether you can boost your metabolism.

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Risk Checker

Find out if you're at risk of heart disease, kidney disease or type 2 diabetes in just a few minutes using the healthdirect Risk Checker.

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Vitamin D and your health

Vitamin D is very important for bone health. Learn about natural sources, supplements and health risks associated with too much or too little vitamin D.

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Sources high in vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and healthy bones and muscles. Most vitamin D comes from sunlight, but it's also found in some foods.

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Low FODMAP diets

A low FODMAP diet reduces certain types of sugar that are fermented in your gut to reduce tummy pain and discomfort. Learn more about FODMAPs here.

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Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Read all about the symptoms of UC, when to see your doctor and types of treatments.

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Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. Find out what causes Crohn’s disease, and about the symptoms and treatment.

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