The first signs of thyroid disease in women are almost invisible, but already at the initial stage it is necessary to pay attention to alarm signals and know how to treat the pathology.

Symptoms, methods of therapy and complications are due to the specific pathology of the gland and its features.

The thyroid gland is one of the most important endocrine glands in the human body. It is located on the trachea and consists of two lobules, which are connected by a small isthmus.

Interesting!

In its shape, the thyroid gland is similar to a shield, which is the reason for its name. Often its structure is also likened to the body of a butterfly.

The main function of the thyroid gland is the storage of iodine and the production of iodothyronines (the so-called hormones containing iodine).

The latter play a very important role in the regulation of various metabolic processes, including metabolism throughout the body and in its specific cells.

Thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland are responsible for the proper functioning of various organs and systems. They perform the following main functions:

1. Security control over proper growth and development, including the central nervous system.
2. Raise breakdown of fats.
3. Formation erythrocytes and gain protein synthesis.
4. Control over the metabolic processes of various substances and energy metabolism.
5. Increase release of glucose from proteins and fats.
6. Influence on the concentration of sex hormones, which is due to normal puberty and human development.

In addition, parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland contribute to the production of thyrocalcitonin. This is a very important hormone that regulates the metabolic processes of phosphorus and calcium.

It is the latter substances that are responsible for the proper development of the human skeletal system.

Therefore, in case of violations of the integrity of bones or their wear, this hormone blocks the factors of bone destruction and provokes the most rapid formation of new tissues.

The state of activity of the thyroid gland and the diseases caused by it

Thyroid diseases in women are largely related to the state of activity of the gland itself. The functional activity of the thyroid gland is divided into three main types, which must be considered separately.

Euthyroidism

In this condition, normal production of the hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine and their excretion are noted.

At the same time, the systems and organs that are affected by the work of the thyroid gland continue to function correctly.

Thyroid disease in this case concerns mainly this organ of the female body and is not caused by a violation of the synthesis of hormones.

In such a situation, pathologies can be expressed in the form of nodes, hyperplasia, and so on.

Hypothyroidism

In this case, there is a lack of thyroid hormones, which can provoke a violation (certain or all) in specific systems under the control of the gland. Hypofunction is accompanied by energy deficiency.

Hyperthyroidism

This is the opposite of the previous condition, with it there is an excessive activity of the thyroid gland, which indicates a malfunction in its work.

At the same time, an increased amount of hormones is excreted into the blood, as a result of which an increase in metabolic processes is observed in specific systems.

Also, an increase in the production and excretion of hormones is called thyrotoxicosis.

The anterior part of the pituitary gland secretes thyroid-stimulating hormone, which is responsible for the activity of the thyroid gland. Thus, it is its indicators that often indicate diseases of the thyroid gland: as a rule, an increase in it indicates hypothyroidism, and a decrease, on the contrary, indicates hyperthyroidism.

In separate groups of thyroid pathologies, autoimmune diseases and various tumors and malignant neoplasms should be taken out.

Symptoms of thyroid diseases

Symptoms of thyroid disease in women are absolutely opposite and depend mainly on the violations occurring in this zone.

For example, in hypothyroidism, there is a slowing of the heart rate and an increase in body weight, while hyperthyroidism, on the contrary, is manifested by an increase in heart rate and weight loss.

Therefore, it is necessary to consider the symptoms separately.

This pathology is present in almost 7% of women in the world. Often, its manifestations are hidden under other diseases, which misleads doctors when making a diagnosis.

This explains the predominantly late diagnosis of pathology.

Hypothyroidism is accompanied by the following symptoms in women:

• constant weakness and increased fatigue;
• swelling in the morning;
• weight gain;
• slow heart rate;
• chronic freezing;
• dry skin and brittle nails and hair;
• eyebrow loss.

In addition, this is such a pathology which, in some cases, may also include the following conditions:

• darkening in the eyes;
• paroxysmal increases in heart rate;
• loss of consciousness;
• alopecia.

With hypothyroidism, there is often a premature onset of menopause or menstrual irregularities.

For reference!

Lack of thyroid hormones in many women provokes long depression. Apathy and depression can be sure signs of hypothyroidism.

The consequences of hypothyroidism are often the development of heart failure and myocardial dystrophy. In addition, the disease sometimes provokes secondary immunodeficiency.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

The main manifestations of increased production and excretion of gland hormones are the following signs:

• constant nervousness and irritability;
• sleep disorders;
• the appearance of shortness of breath;
• weight loss in the presence of appetite;
• hot flashes and colds, high fever;
• severe sweating;
• frequent urination.

After the first stages of the disease, the eyeball noticeably increases, as a result of which the woman's eyes seem to bulge.

Among the negative consequences, it is necessary to highlight the occurrence of emotional lability, which is manifested by frequent mood swings.

It is often accompanied by various obsessive states and anxiety.

Hormonal release in specific situations can develop into a thyroid storm.

This condition sometimes provokes serious complications up to the occurrence of coma.

This disease is divided into different types and is provoked by both hyperfunction and hypofunction of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms and treatment in this case completely depend on the stage of development of the pathology. There are only 6 stages, which have the following features:

1. Zero: at this stage, the goiter is not detected by palpation.
2. First: the thyroid gland is poorly palpable, but an experienced specialist can understand that it has increased.
3. Second: there is a visual enlargement of the gland.
4. Third: the neck is noticeably enlarged.
5. Fourth: the outlines and thickening of the neck are clearly visible.
6. Fifth: an increase in the thyroid gland provokes squeezing of neighboring organs and tissues.

Depending on the stage of development, the following manifestations may also be noted:

• throat discomfort;
• respiratory failure;
• cardiopalmus;
• feeling of a lump in the throat;
• dry cough.

The later stages of some types of goiter also have ocular symptoms, including the following:

• swelling of the eyelids;
• lacrimation;
• trembling with closed eyes;
• feeling of sand in the eye;
• rare blinking.

The progression of the disease and the lack of therapy increase the likelihood of developing thyroid cancer.

Symptoms of autoimmune diseases

Treatment of thyroid diseases in women

Treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland is primarily due to the type, form and severity of the pathology of this zone.

Treatment of hypothyroidism

Since this pathology is diagnosed on time quite rarely and mostly becomes chronic, the only way to treat it is hormone replacement therapy.

This means that the patient is prescribed hormonal drugs that replace his thyroid hormones.

Experts note that such funds do not differ from natural iodothyronines.

Since the production of thyroid hormones cannot be restored, with such a diagnosis, a woman must take such drugs throughout her life.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism

With hyperthyroidism, thyreostatic agents are usually prescribed. In most cases, these are the following drugs:

• Tyrosol;
• Mercazolil.

The use of such drugs usually eliminates the main symptoms. Treatment of the thyroid gland in women in this case lasts up to 2 years under the supervision of a physician.

During this time, regular blood tests are required.

If there is such a symptom as increased heart rate, beta-blockers and other drugs that block the negative effects of hormones on the body can be prescribed.

goiter treatment

Treatment for an enlarged thyroid gland in women depends on the symptoms of the disease and its severity. The most common method of therapy is the use of radioactive iodine.

It penetrates the thyroid gland and goiter cells, after which it gradually destroys them. However, a complete recovery this way does not provide.

As a rule, after such therapy, hyperthyroidism is noted with less severe symptoms, and in rare cases, hypothyroidism, which requires constant use of hormonal agents.

in a radical way treatment is a surgical intervention, which involves either the complete removal of the gland, or the removal of the affected area.

But such methods are usually used in cases of severe growth of the thyroid gland, which leads to serious problems with breathing and swallowing, as well as in the detection of malignant formations.

Treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases

Therapy of such conditions in most cases is medical. It is aimed at eliminating the following symptoms:

• anxiety;
• lethargy;
• increased sweating;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• inflammatory process of the thyroid gland.

How to treat autoimmune thyroid diseases in women if the first sign is an overgrowth of the gland?

In such cases, drugs do not help, so surgery is required.

It must be understood that autoimmune diseases cannot be cured with the help of operations: intervention can only eliminate the external manifestations of the pathology, but not its cause.

In oncological diseases of the thyroid gland, the methods of therapy depend on many factors, therefore they are selected individually in each case.

The thyroid gland, located on the front of the neck, is the most important of the endocrine glands. It produces hormones that directly or indirectly regulate the work of all organs and systems of the human body.

From these hormones, first of all, depends on the constancy of the internal environment of the body - homeostasis. With their participation, all metabolic processes (metabolism) take place, the formation, growth and development of new cells, as well as their differentiation, aging and death are regulated.

Energy production in the body also depends on the level of thyroid (thyroid) hormones, they control the processes of thermoregulation, oxidation and reduction, regulate tissue oxygen consumption and the formation of free radicals (chemically active compounds that can react with substances that make up cell membranes). If the functioning of the thyroid gland is disturbed for some reason, the whole body suffers.

All pathologies of the thyroid gland can be attributed to one of three groups:

• Diseases with increased synthesis of thyroid hormones - thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism).
• Diseases with reduced synthesis of hormones or a violation of their entry into the blood - hypothyroidism.
• Pathology of the thyroid gland without impaired functional activity (euthyroidism). They are manifested only by anatomical changes in its structure - goiter (characteristic deformity of the neck), diffuse hyperplasia (general increase) or nodular hyperplasia (benign or malignant local growths - nodes or tumors).

The onset of diseases of this organ often does not manifest itself in any way, therefore, when the patient notes the first symptoms, the balance of thyroid hormones in his body often turns out to be significantly disturbed. But even in this case, it can be difficult to make a correct diagnosis, since the complex of symptoms in diseases of the thyroid gland can mimic the pathologies of other organs: nervous disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, etc. Let us dwell in more detail on which signs can recognize such violations.

Thyrotoxicosis

As mentioned, thyrotoxicosis is a condition when too much thyroid hormone enters the bloodstream. In other words, it is an overactive thyroid gland. An excess of thyroid hormones accelerates metabolism and causes corresponding clinical manifestations. So, how will the patient feel?

• General anxiety, constant feeling of anxiety, sleep disturbances like insomnia.
• Irritability. What a person used to be calm about can now cause outbursts of anger. A good mood is quickly replaced by a bad one and vice versa. Sometimes there is an inexplicable feeling of intense fear (panic attacks).
• Restlessness, the need for constant movement.
• Weight loss with increased appetite. Feeling of constant hunger.
• Increased sweating, redness of the skin, glitter of the eyes.
• An increase in body temperature without signs of an infectious disease.
• Palpitations or a constant increase in heart rate. Vegetovascular dystonia of the hypertonic type (blood pressure drops with a tendency to increase).
• Lowering blood cholesterol.
• Feeling short of breath. Unlike asthmatic attacks, when exhalation is difficult, a patient with thyrotoxicosis is worried about the feeling of incomplete inspiration.
• Rumbling in the abdomen and increased flatulence due to increased peristalsis (contractions) of the stomach and intestines, when food does not have time to fully digest, but quickly passes through the digestive tract. For the same reason, there may be diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
• Shortening of menstrual cycles, sometimes - problems with conception or bearing a fetus. Abundant monthly bleeding with severe premenstrual syndrome.

Such manifestations as exophthalmos (bulging eyes) and goiter indicate an advanced stage of thyrotoxicosis. In the initial period, they may not be.

Hypothyroidism

This condition is caused by insufficient production or entry into the blood of thyroid hormones. In some cases, the violation occurs due to a lack of intake of a number of trace elements (iodine) that are necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. With hypothyroidism, all metabolic processes slow down, and this causes a complex of symptoms. So, how does this violation manifest itself?

• The patient is concerned about the feeling of weakness, fatigue, apathy, depression, constant drowsiness.
• General lethargy, including mental, memory loss. It is difficult for a person to concentrate on something, it is difficult to do precise work.
• Paleness and dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Hair loss and brittleness, brittle nails. The face of the patient expresses fatigue or indifference.
• Puffiness of the face and body, rapid weight gain, despite a low-calorie diet.
• Chilliness, constantly cold hands and feet.
• Slow heart rate, muffled heart sounds (determined by the doctor when listening).
• Reduced blood pressure, headaches, tinnitus, fainting.
• Persistent increase in cholesterol levels, despite correction with diet.
• Decreased appetite, prolonged constipation.
• Reduced immunity - frequent colds and infectious diseases.
• Progressive loss of visual acuity and hearing.
• Violation of menstrual function - irregular and scanty bleeding, and with a very low level of thyroid hormones - the cessation of menstruation. Infertility or miscarriage.

Hypothyroidism, as a rule, develops for a long time - for months or years, and the increase in its symptoms is gradual. It is also characterized by thickening of the neck - goiter, but without exophthalmos. This happens, for example, with endemic goiter, as a compensatory reaction of the body to a lack of iodine - iron increases in volume in order to better capture it.

Morphological changes in the thyroid gland without dysfunction

A slight increase in thyroid volume may be felt long before typical neck deformity appears. This is due to the pressure of the growing gland on the surrounding tissues. Often, with normal hormone levels, only these symptoms help to recognize the pathology. What can attract the attention of the patient?

• Difficulty swallowing, sensation of a lump in the throat.
• Sore throat, not associated with a cold.
• Soreness in front of neck.
• Also, sometimes there is a tightness of clothing in the neck area (the collar of the shirt began to press).

Finally

What else should be remembered? The fact that thyroid diseases can disguise themselves as many different pathologies, which misleads both doctors and their patients. Sometimes, before the development of a vivid clinical picture (goiter), patients are not worried about the complex, but only one sign. For example, the “chronic fatigue” syndrome common today may not be caused by stress, but by hypothyroidism.

On the other hand, long-term action of high concentrations of thyroid hormones on target organs can cause their real disease. So, a violation of cholesterol metabolism will sooner or later lead to the development of atherosclerosis and will cause coronary heart disease.

Summing up, I must say that when referring to a doctor for any unclear health problems, it is worth examining the thyroid gland. This does not require a long time, high costs and special means, and is carried out on the basis of any clinic.

Today, thyroid diseases, unfortunately, are not uncommon, and the fair sex suffers from them much more often than men. The signs of the disease depend on how the function of the thyroid gland is impaired, and there is not always a change in the level of its hormones. Diseases of this endocrine gland can be divided into 3 groups:

• diseases in which the concentration of thyroid hormones is increased (for example,);
• diseases in which the concentration of thyroid hormones is reduced (for example, hypothyroidism);
• diseases in which the level of thyroid hormones remains normal.

This article will discuss how to identify signs of thyroid disease in women.

Signs of thyroid disease with an increase in the level of its hormones (thyrotoxicosis)

Often the first symptoms of thyrotoxicosis are changes in the neuropsychic sphere of a woman: she becomes irritable, tearful, sleep is disturbed (insomnia occurs more often).

1. Disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system, usually manifested in the form of tachycardia, or.
2. Heart palpitations, high blood pressure persist at rest, even if measured after a night's sleep without getting out of bed.
3. There is an increase in appetite, but there is a decrease in body weight, sometimes significant. This is due to the fact that with hyperthyroidism there is an acceleration of the metabolism in the body. However, in rare cases and with increased thyroid function, obesity can occur.
4. Violation of thermoregulation. Women suffering from hyperthyroidism constantly complain of a feeling of heat in the body, even in a cool room, in the cold season they prefer to dress lightly enough. This symptom is also associated with the acceleration of metabolic processes, and the release of a large amount of thermal energy, which must be removed from the body.
5. Trembling in the body, sometimes only trembling of the hands is noted. Sometimes, outwardly, hand trembling is imperceptible to a woman, but a change in handwriting may attract attention.
6. Endocrine ophthalmopathy ("bulging eyes") - this symptom is not always found in thyrotoxicosis, most often it appears with diffuse toxic goiter, and in diseases of the thyroid gland it is always bilateral. With severe exophthalmos, a violation of the closure of the eyelids is possible, as a result of which dryness of the cornea, tearing, and a feeling of "sand in the eyes" will be observed.
7. Violations of the psycho-emotional sphere can appear much earlier than the external signs of the disease. The woman becomes irritable, quick-tempered, anxious, and periods of anger can be abruptly replaced by tearfulness. Sleep disturbances, more often insomnia, may occur.

Signs of thyroid disease with a decrease in its function (hypothyroidism)

1. Changes in the condition of the skin, nails and hair. Women note that the skin becomes dry, flaky, pale and less elastic, especially dryness is expressed on the knees, elbows and face. There may be increased brittleness and dullness of the hair, as well as their loss, the nails begin to exfoliate, lose their luster. These changes are due to the fact that with a decrease in the level of thyroid hormones in the blood, collagen synthesis suffers.
2. Chilliness. Women suffering from hypothyroidism feel uncomfortable and cold even in hot weather. This is due to the fact that the metabolic processes in the body slow down, including the reduced production of thermal energy.
3. Puffiness. With hypothyroidism, edema is most often observed under the eyes, in severe cases, edema spreads to the entire body, up to anasarca. This is due to violations in protein metabolism. A characteristic sign of thyroid diseases with a decrease in function is a large swollen tongue, due to which speech is impaired. Also, due to swelling of the vocal cords, hoarseness may appear.
4. Increase in body weight. This is due to the accumulation of excess fluid in the subcutaneous tissue and slow energy metabolism. In this case, it is possible to get rid of obesity only by normalizing the level of thyroid hormones; no amount of physical activity will help get rid of fullness. In very rare cases, in patients, body weight does not change or even decreases.
5. Decrease in heart rate and hypotension occur in 70% of patients with hypothyroidism.
6. Slowness and inaccuracy of movements. This happens due to a slowdown in almost all metabolic processes, in addition, memory and attention deteriorate, women complain of constant drowsiness and fatigue.
7. . A frequent companion of thyroid diseases with a decrease in its function, and the cause of this symptom, again, is the slowdown of all processes in the body, and the motility of the digestive tract also slows down.

Fortunately, with proper treatment of hypothyroidism and restoration of normal hormonal levels in the body, all these disorders disappear, and the woman's condition returns to normal.

Symptoms of thyroid disease without disturbing the production of hormones by it

At the initial stage of thyroid diseases, their symptoms may be absent, but the doctor detects certain changes by palpation.

Such diseases include autoimmune thyroiditis and endemic goiter without hypothyroidism, nodular colloid goiter, cysts and tumor diseases of the thyroid gland, retrosternal goiter. With these diseases, there may be symptoms that are not associated with a change in the level of hormones produced by this endocrine gland.

1. External changes. Most often, there is an increase in the size of the organ, which is noticeable even to the woman herself, tumor-like protrusions in the projection of the gland can be seen and palpated. Sometimes this is the only sign of the initial stage of the disease. As the disease progresses, an enlarged thyroid gland may begin to compress the trachea and esophagus, resulting in impaired swallowing and breathing.
2. Internal changes. In oncological diseases, the organ may not be visualized, however, the appearance of pain in the projection of the thyroid gland and hoarseness of voice may indicate the spread of the process outside the organ.

Retrosternal goiter is not visualized, as it is located behind the sternum, however, reaching a large size, it can compress the large vessels and nerves of the mediastinum, causing symptoms that are often not associated with thyroid pathology, which is detected only with in-depth examination.
As we can see, in diseases of the thyroid gland, many different symptoms can be observed, which are often similar to signs of other diseases, therefore, to find out the cause of their appearance, an examination by a doctor is necessary.

Which doctor to contact

Thyroid diseases are treated by an endocrinologist. Quite often, these diseases affect the heart, nervous system, eyes, so it will be useful to consult a cardiologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist. With thyroid cancer, the patient is treated by an oncologist.

In this video you can learn about the life cycle of the thyroid gland.

The main organ that regulates the metabolism of the whole organism is the thyroid gland. It is on the front wall of the neck and produces the hormones T3 and T4 necessary for a person, which are responsible for the production and absorption of iodine, as well as a hormone (thyrocalcitonin), which regulates the content and absorption of calcium. When thyroid disorders occur, it affects the health of the entire body. According to statistics, problems in endocrinology are five times more common than in men. This is due to the fact that the fairer sex is more susceptible to hormonal changes.

Working mechanism

The main component of the thyroid gland are small vesicles - follicles, the cavity of which is filled. The follicles consist of thyrocytes, which are responsible for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and parafollicular cells, which synthesize calcitonin. Hormones are synthesized in several stages:

1. absorption of iodine compounds (absorption occurs through the intestines);
2. their transfer to the thyroid gland through the blood;
3. the interaction of iodine compounds with tyrosine, as a result of which thyroid hormones are obtained;
4. hormones are carried in the blood throughout the body, affecting its functions.

The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating the synthesis of hormones by the gland and for their entry into the blood.

Causes of disruption

The main reason that leads to disruption of the thyroid gland is in the body. Particularly affected by iodine deficiency are areas remote from the sea. In Russia, these are the Tambov and Voronezh regions, Altai, and the Urals. The daily norm of iodine content for an adult is 200 mcg. To get it, you need to eat about 300 g of sea fish per day.

Iodine deficiency leads to:

1. insufficient iodine content in food;
2. deficiency (it helps iodine to be absorbed);
3. radioactive exposure;
4. pregnancy;
5. drinking alcohol (ethyl alcohol removes iodine from the body);
6. taking oral contraceptives.

Often the causes of thyroid disorders are heredity, poor environment, frequent stress, autoimmune, chronic diseases and infections.

Symptoms

Depending on whether high or low levels of hormones led to improper thyroid function, they can differ significantly from each other. With an increased level of hormones (hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis), the following symptoms appear:

• (goiter);
• weight loss;
• nausea and vomiting;
• cardiopalmus;
• irritability
• failure of the menstrual cycle;
• increased body temperature;
• skin moisture;
• disorders of the digestive tract (constipation).

Symptoms of low hormone levels ():

• hypothermia and trembling in the body;
• constant fatigue;
• weakness;
• drowsiness;
• lack of vital energy;
• memory impairment;
• limbs;
• dry skin and;
• increased sweating, dizziness;
• low blood pressure;
• lack of appetite.

Often women do not attach much importance to sudden mood swings, attributing this symptom to the early onset of menstruation. But if, in addition to this, any of the symptoms listed above occur, you need to contact.

Diagnosis and treatment

If you begin to notice some of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. In no case do not self-medicate! This should be done by a qualified endocrinologist. First of all, the doctor will evaluate the signs, collect an anamnesis, conduct an initial examination and prescribe blood tests. The picture of the disease can become clear only after receiving the results of the tests. Also, if necessary, additional examinations can be prescribed: radioisotope scanning, and material sampling () for cytological examination (with nodular goiter).

The treatment process is different for everyone. In hypothyroidism, it is prescribed by the hormones thyroxine. Signs of improvement in the general condition of the body are noted after a few weeks. However, in many cases, medications will have to be taken for life. In hyperthyroidism, the main task of treatment is to suppress the excessive activity of the thyroid gland, for which antithyroid drugs are prescribed.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in front of the trachea and covering its front and side parts. Its function is the production of thyroid hormones necessary for the normal existence of the human body. Hormones stimulate the work of the intestines and the brain, affect the process of self-regulation of the body (homeostasis), control the rate of metabolism (metabolism).

If the gland works correctly, the body receives the energy it needs and gets rid of harmful waste products in a timely manner, its immune system works normally and a sufficient amount of oxygen enters the tissue cells.

Improper functioning of the thyroid gland leads to a decrease (hypothyroidism) or an increase (hyperthyroidism) in the production of hormones and, accordingly, to health problems.

The thyroid gland in women suffers 12 times more often than in men. This may be due to the greater susceptibility of the female body to autoimmune diseases. Hypothyroidism can cause female infertility. In addition, with hypothyroidism, the risk of developing pathologies of the nervous system during the period of intrauterine development of the fetus, the appearance of cretinism in a newborn child increases, which indicates the importance of identifying abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland in women before pregnancy.

Causes of thyroid disease

To understand the causes of thyroid diseases, it is necessary to group them as follows:

First group. Diseases in which the functional activity of the gland does not change, but its morphological structure changes (nodular formations, goiter, hyperplasia, etc. appear).

Diseases occur with iodine deficiency associated with:

• taking certain drugs;
• insufficient absorption of iodine by the intestines;
• congenital pathologies of the gland;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• lack of iodine in food and water.

Second group. There are changes in hormonal levels. A particularly common disease with such symptoms is hypothyroidism.

Causes of occurrence:

• disruption of the thyroid gland and, as a result, a decrease in its function and secretion of thyroid hormones;
• insufficient formation of thyreoliberin by the hypothalamus or thyroid-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland, which leads to impaired secretion of thyroid hormones.

Third group. Pathologies in which the synthesis of hormones increases - thyrotoxicosis.

Occurs as a result of:

• Autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system perceives the thyroid gland as a foreign body. To combat it, antibodies are synthesized, the thyroid gland begins to produce an increased amount of hormones and, as a result, can completely collapse.
• Graves' disease. This disease causes the thyroid gland to work hard and uncontrollably.
• Taking certain medications.
• Chronic infectious diseases.
• Deficiency of vitamins and microelements, mainly iodine, resulting from an unbalanced diet.
• Unfavorable environmental conditions in the form of increased background radiation. The thyroid gland is hypersensitive to radiation.
• stressful state.

Classification of the size of the thyroid gland

Enlargement of the thyroid gland is characterized by five degrees:

• "0" - the thyroid gland is not palpable and completely invisible.
• "1" - the gland is palpable, but invisible during swallowing movements.
• "2" - the lobes and isthmus of the gland are well defined by palpation, it is noticeable when swallowing.
• "3" - the thyroid gland is clearly visible, the neck thickens.
• "4" - the size of the gland is significantly increased, due to which the shape of the neck changes.
• "5" - the thyroid gland is very enlarged, the neck is deformed.

Diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland of the first and second degree in the absence of violations of its work is not pathological.

Thyroid diseases

Classification	Name	Description
Functional state	Thyrotoxicosis Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism auteriosis	Uncontrolled production of thyroid hormones Decreased functioning of the gland Increased gland function Absence of dysfunction of the gland
Inflammatory diseases	Chronic thyroidin (Hashimoto's goiter) Subacute thyroidin (Kerwen's goiter) Acute thyroiditis	An autoimmune disorder in which antibodies are produced that "attack" the thyroid gland A disease, presumably of viral origin, gradually destroying thyroid cells A disease of a purulent and non-purulent nature, accompanied by local death of gland cells
Oncological diseases	papillary cancer Medullary cancer Squamous cell carcinoma undifferentiated cancer	A malignant neoplasm that develops from epithelial cells of the gland A malignant neoplasm that develops from parafollicular cells A malignant tumor that develops from epithelial cells of the thyroid gland or thyroid-lingual duct A malignant tumor formed by cells of epidermoid carcinoma and carcinosarcoma

Symptoms of the disease

The following signs of the thyroid gland may indicate the presence of the disease:

• Hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) is accompanied by a sudden decrease in body weight, increased sweating, weakness, heart palpitations, hand tremors and mental disorders (mood swings).
• Hypothyroidism causes increased fatigue and weakness, a sharp increase in body weight, slow heartbeat, arterial hypertension, swelling of the body, dry skin, hair loss.
• A diffuse thyroid causes the body to respond to iodine deficiency and lack of thyroid hormones, leading to headaches, general weakness, heart discomfort, and inability to exercise. Such symptoms can be observed with virtually unchanged thyroid size and hormone levels.

Goiter is often accompanied by the development of hypothyroidism.

• As the above symptoms grow, attacks of dry cough and suffocation, a feeling of pressure in the thyroid gland and a foreign body in the throat, shortness of breath that increases when the head is tilted back, discomfort when swallowing food and a hoarse voice join.
• Extremely rarely observed pain in the thyroid gland, which may be associated with inflammation or hemorrhage in the gland.
• An increase in cervical lymph nodes can occur with various inflammatory or viral diseases, but may be the result of metastasis that accompanies malignant processes in the thyroid gland.
• Violation of sexual function in men in the form of premature ejaculation and the menstrual cycle in women.
• Bulging eyes (exophthalmos), puffiness around the eyes and the appearance of bags under the eyes, difficulty concentrating the gaze on any object (typical for thyrotoxicosis).
• Changes in mental state: increased aggressiveness and irritability, a tendency to tearfulness, fussiness.

In 80% of cases, people suffering from thyroid diseases, including cancer, have no signs of the disease. For a long time they feel completely healthy, not even suspecting the destructive processes taking place in the body. Therefore, endocrinologists insist on the need for an annual ultrasound of the thyroid gland.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnostic measures for thyroid diseases include:

• Consultation and visual examination by an endocrinologist.
• Tests for thyroid hormones - a test to detect the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), without which it is impossible to give a correct assessment of the functioning of the thyroid gland. In the future, an additional study of the level of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) may be prescribed.
• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland, which allows to determine the form of the disease: diffuse or nodular goiter.
• Radioisotope scanning to assess the functional state of the organ.
• Determination of the presence of autoimmune and oncological diseases.
• Computed (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspected pituitary diseases.
• Fine-needle aspiration puncture biopsy (FNAB) with subsequent histological examination, more accurate than traditional cytological.

Puncture of the thyroid gland is performed using special guns and needles, allowing the manipulation to be carried out safely and painlessly.

This method makes it possible to accurately diagnose a benign or malignant formation and exclude erroneous operations.

The final decision on how to treat the thyroid gland is made after all diagnostic measures have been taken.

Treatment of the disease

Hidden symptoms, characteristic of autoimmune thyroid diseases and any other changes in the gland, interfere with timely therapy. However, if there is any suspicion that the thyroid gland is suffering, treatment should begin immediately.

With endemic goiter, an endocrinologist may prescribe a conservative or surgical method. How to treat the thyroid gland depends on the form of the disease.

The use of a conservative method is acceptable for an early stage of the disease. With the help of iodine therapy, a positive effect can be achieved only if the size of the gland has increased minimally.

Treatment of hypothyroidism

The only treatment for diffuse goiter with hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The patient will be prescribed drugs containing thyroxine (T4). These drugs are no different from the T4 hormone produced by the human body.

Some patients believe that hypothyroidism can be cured with ordinary iodine, but this is a misconception. Iodine is only a substrate for the production of thyroid hormones. We are talking about a problem with the work of the “factory” itself, so the use of iodine will be absolutely ineffective.

Replacement therapy drugs for hypothyroidism must be taken throughout life, since the natural process of producing hormones by the thyroid gland cannot be restored.

The patient needs to be tested for the thyroid gland and regularly consult an endocrinologist (the frequency of visits is recommended by the doctor).

How to treat the thyroid gland with hyperthyroidism?

Therapy for hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) begins with the appointment of thyreostatic drugs, such as Propocil, Tyrozol or Mercazolil. In most cases, this measure is enough to relieve the symptoms of the disease. Treatment with these drugs takes place for two years under the constant supervision of a specialist and the control of blood tests.

With a concomitant increase in heart rate, beta-blockers are prescribed, which slow down the frequency of contraction of the heart muscles. Despite the duration of treatment for hyperthyroidism, the abolition of thyreostatic drugs can cause a relapse of the disease (50% of cases). In this situation, the patient may be prescribed radioiodine therapy or removal of the thyroid gland.

Surgical treatment

Surgical intervention is performed in the presence of:

• malignant degeneration of goiter;
• rapid progressive growth of goiter;
• squeezing argons of the neck.

During surgical treatment, a large part of the thyroid gland is removed (substeal resection of the gland). In the case of the development of postoperative hypothyroidism, a life-long intake of thyroid hormones is prescribed.

Radioiodine therapy

The topic “how to treat the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine” deserves special attention. With radioiodine therapy, the patient is given a liquid or capsule containing radioactive iodine. Entering the human body, iodine accumulates in the cells of the thyroid gland, leading them to death and replacement of connective tissue.

In most cases, the symptoms of hyperthyroidism disappear after a few weeks of treatment. Sometimes repeated therapy is necessary to suppress thyroid function, that is, the occurrence of hypothyroidism. In this case, hypothyroidism is considered as a result of the treatment of thyrotoxicosis, and not as a complication. At the end of radioiodine therapy, the doctor prescribes the patient a lifelong intake of thyreostatic drugs.

Prevention

Prevention of the disease is primarily in the elimination of iodine deficiency. Preventive measures are divided into individual, group and mass.

Individual prevention consists in regular visits to the endocrinologist. In some cases (on the recommendation of a doctor), it is necessary to take tests for the thyroid gland.

In addition, carrying out individual and group preventive measures involves taking the drug "Antistrumin".

For the mass prevention of thyroid diseases, iodized salt and iodized products are sold to the population.

Group prevention is carried out in kindergartens, schools and boarding schools.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers are prescribed Antistrumine under medical supervision as a prophylactic.

An effective means of preventing iodine deficiency are capsules with iodized oil (the drug "Yodolipol"). One capsule of this oil can provide the human body with the necessary amount of iodine for a year.

Preventive measures can continue for several years, and sometimes for life, in people who have undergone thyroid surgery and live in regions of endemic goiter.

It is important to remember that iodine deficiency and the diseases caused by it are the cause of serious pathologies that can be prevented by preventive measures.