HC Deb 18 January 2000 vol 342 cc423-4W
Mr. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is given to student doctors in diagnosing myxoedema; what treatment is recommended for this disease; and if he will make a statement. [105290]

Mr. Denham

Responsibility for the content and standards of medical education is shared between the regulatory bodies (eg The General Medical Council and Specialist Training Authority), professional bodies (notably the medical Royal Colleges) and universities. It is neither practicable nor desirable for the Government to prescribe the exact training that any individual doctor will receive.

The recommended maintenance treatment for myxoedema is replacement thyroid hormone. Thyroxine sodium tablets is the normal maintenance therapy but in severe cases Liothyronine sodium tablets or injection may be used for a rapid response.