Palpation of the thyroid gland is the first step in diagnosing the disease. With the help of such events, the specialist determines the degree of development of the disease, and then prescribes further studies.
Basic information
Palpation of the thyroid gland is carried out for all patients who have applied to an endocrinologist. Timely detection of certain diseases allows a specialist to prescribe conservative treatment so that a person does not have to resort to surgical intervention.
A little about the organ
What is the thyroid gland? According to experts, this is an endocrine gland, which is present in all vertebrates. It stores iodine in itself and produces the production of iodine-containing hormones (that is, iodothyronines), which take part in the growth of cells and the body as a whole, as well as in the regulation of metabolism.
Palpation of the thyroid gland is easy and simple. It is located in the neck in front of the trachea, under the larynx. Usually in humans, such an organ is shaped like a butterfly.
Palpation of the thyroidglands. Degrees of its increase
What is the procedure in question for? The fact is that many people suffer from diseases of this organ. Such diseases can occur against the background of unchanged, increased or, conversely, decreased endocrine function. Iodine deficiency occurring in certain areas often leads to the development of cretinism and endemic goiter.
Palpation of the thyroid gland allows you to identify the presence of a problem, as well as determine the degree of the disease:
0. The dimensions of the organ in question at this degree are natural. At the same time, the thyroid gland is practically not palpable, and is not determined by visual examination. By the way, in thin people during the examination, this organ may not be palpable at all.
1. This degree is spoken of if the specialist feels the isthmus in the patient when the first one swallows.
2. At this stage, the isthmus becomes more prominent. At the same time, the lobes of the gland are pronounced and greatly enlarged.
3. With this degree, both lobes of the thyroid gland are enlarged. Even with a visual examination of the patient, the doctor can easily notice the problem. After probing the organ, all existing thickenings are determined almost immediately.
4. This stage is more serious. The enlargement of the thyroid gland becomes so noticeable that the so-called goiter begins to have unnatural dimensions. Also, the gland has asymmetry, and the isthmus protrudes well. During the examination, the patient is found to have compression of the surrounding organs and tissues in the neck area. Pain during palpation of the thyroid gland begins to be felt with light pressure. Also at this stage, the patient's voice becomes hoarse. He has a constant feeling of pressure in his neck and a feeling that something is preventing him from swallowing.
5. At the last stage, the already developed goiter has dimensions that exceed all permissible norms.
Palpation of the thyroid gland: technique
Feeling the patient's thyroid gland should only be done by an endocrinologist, while he observes a special technique. When examining a patient, a doctor can take completely different poses, helping him to examine the patient as accurately as possible, as well as determine the degree of enlargement of the internal organ.
So how is the examination and palpation of the thyroid gland carried out? The specialist adheres to the following rules:
- Standing facing the patient, the endocrinologist places his thumbs on the cartilage of the thyroid gland, and puts the rest on the area of the clavicular-sterno-mastoideus muscles. If during such probing there is not enough data for diagnosis, then the patient is asked to take a sip. As a result of this, some displacement of the cartilage occurs, and the organ can be felt as completely as possible. With this method of palpation, the isthmus can be easily detected.
- Standing to the right of the subject, the doctor examines the patient, asks him to tilt his head forward. In this position, the muscles relax as much as possible in a person, that is, it is quite easy to feel the organ. With the left hand, the endocrinologist holds the neck in one position, andright gently probes both lobes of the gland.
- Standing behind the patient, the specialist can place his thumbs on the back of the neck, while the others carefully palpate the thyroid gland.
Having carried out the described actions, the doctor can easily make a preliminary conclusion about the presence or absence of an increase in the internal organ.
Research results
Palpation of the thyroid gland in children and adults helps the specialist to draw preliminary conclusions about the patient's condition. When should the patient be concerned? If during the examination the internal organ is not palpable, then this indicates its normal state (that is, there are no pathological enlargements).
According to the generally accepted classification, three degrees are established in endocrinology, of which only one is a variant of the norm. As for the rest, they already testify to the development of pathology.
If, during the examination of a patient, his thyroid gland is palpable, but rather weakly, then they speak of the first stage of the disease. The last degree of the disease is diagnosed if the damage is determined very well during palpation.
Features of the study
Now you know how to palpate the thyroid gland. Normally, this organ should not be enlarged. It should be noted that the examination conducted by the doctor is the initial stage of diagnosis. It does not give a full guarantee, due to the fact that a specialist may make a mistake, especially when examining toothin or obese people. Although it is still possible to get an initial idea of the patient's condition in this way.
Particular attention during palpation of the internal organ should be given to overweight patients. This is due to the fact that in such people a layer of fat can be quite easily mistaken for the thyroid gland, which will give an erroneous result of the study. Therefore, this type of examination can only be used in conjunction with others.
Benefits of Palpation
The main advantage of physical palpation of the thyroid gland is that the patient can use this method independently. But at the same time, you should act very carefully. After all, ignorance of the anatomical features of a person can quite easily lead to disastrous results.
Treatment
Treatment of thyroid diseases should be started only after all diagnostic measures have been taken, including tests for hormones. The first degrees of the disease require conservative therapy. At the same time, a person needs to drink artificial hormones and other drugs throughout his life. If this is not done, then the thyroid gland may increase even more.
The most effective and proven way to treat the gland in question is its total surgical removal. However, this method is also extremely dangerous. Therefore, only an experienced surgeon should carry out such an operation. It should be noted, however, that before placingpatient in intensive care, he must undergo special treatment. During this period, the patient is prescribed various drugs, and it is also recommended to adhere to a strict diet rich in natural vitamins.
