Toxic thyroid adenoma (in medicine, this pathology is called Plummer's disease) is a benign formation in which there is an increased production of hormones, the node increases, and the activity of he althy areas of the gland is inhibited. This diagnosis is made only after a thorough examination, since the symptoms of the disease are similar to other types of pathologies.
So, what is a toxic thyroid adenoma? And how is she treated?
Reason for development
To this day, it has not been reliably established why toxic thyroid adenoma occurs. The causes of pathology, according to some scientists, are hidden in gene mutations.
Other doctors, observing the development of the disease, believe that it occurs in the same way as a normal adenoma. But as a result of increased production of the hormone, its activity increases.
Clinical picture
Toxic thyroid adenoma is similar in its symptoms to diffusetoxic goiter. But it affects the activity of the heart and blood vessels more.
There are two forms of Plummer's disease:
- Compensated. In areas not affected by the adenoma, this form retains the production of hormones. Therefore, there are no signs of hypothyroidism in the body.
- Decompensated. This form is characterized by disturbances in the formation of thyroid-stimulating hormones. As a result, thyrotoxicosis develops.
On palpation, round or oval seals with pronounced edges are felt.
At an early stage of the disease, symptoms are not expressed. But with the development of a tumor in a person, mood swings begin, irritability appears. During the activation of the disease, unpleasant signs appear: tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia.
At the late stage of a pathology such as toxic thyroid adenoma, the symptoms most often appear as follows:
- diarrhea;
- high body temperature;
- nausea;
- liver disorders;
- abdominal pain;
- intolerance to high ambient temperatures;
- weight loss with unchanged diet.
Symptoms of disease
The main symptom of the disease is a round or oval formation on the neck, which is displaced during swallowing. At the same time, there are a number of phenomena that signal that a toxic adenoma of the thyroid gland is developing in the body.
Symptoms of pathology are as follows:
- tearfulness;
- unreasonable irritability;
- frequent mood swings;
- disorders of the autonomic nervous system;
- hypertension;
- fast pulse;
- rare blink;
- nausea and diarrhea;
- bug-eyed;
- subfebrile temperature;
- high temperature intolerance;
- increased appetite with weight loss;
- hand tremor;
- appearance of shortness of breath;
- eyes dry;
- severe fatigue;
- men are characterized by: infertility, reduced potency;
- women experience migraines, fainting, menstrual irregularities;
- puffiness with constant thirst;
- swallowing disorder;
- may develop diabetes;
- constant discomfort in the throat area;
- periodic cough;
- Changed voice timbre.
Complications of the disease
Most often, negative consequences occur in such cases:
- Toxic thyroid adenoma diagnosed late;
- treatment taken to fight the disease is wrong and inadequate.
In such situations, complications such as:
- atrial fibrillation;
- osteoporosis;
- compression of tissues and organs due to the growth of the node;
- older people have heart failure.
How to identify an ailment
Examination of the patient to establish the diagnosis takes place inmultiple steps:
- Examination by an endocrinologist. The doctor examines the patient's complaints and, with the help of palpation, can detect the presence of nodes.
- Ultrasound. During the study, the location of the tumor is established.
- Blood test. Determines the degree of hormone production in the pituitary and thyroid glands.
- Biopsy. Produce cytology of gland cells.
- Biochemical blood test.
- Scintigraphy. With the help of radioisotope iodine, the gland is examined. The examination allows you to distinguish between a “hot” thyroid nodule (signs of a toxic adenoma) and a “sleeping” or “cold” one.
- Computed tomography, confirming or refuting the results of ultrasound.
Medicated treatment
Methods of dealing with the disease are determined by the endocrinologist after a complete examination of the patient. Most often, the choice is stopped at surgical intervention. Only by this method can a toxic thyroid adenoma be completely removed.
Treatment without surgery - drug therapy - is possible at the initial stage. Most often, it is prescribed in order to normalize the production of hormones.
Since the disease is characterized by an unstable hormonal background, medications are prescribed to normalize it:
- "Carbimazole". Blocks the intake of iodine. Should not be taken with liver disease.
- "Tiamazol". Removes iodine and reduces the formation of hormones. Contraindicated in low white blood cells and biliary stasis.
- "Propicil". Reduces the production of hormones. Should not be taken with cirrhosis and other liver diseases.
All these drugs are used strictly for their intended purpose and under the supervision of the attending physician.
After a successful course of drug treatment, surgery is prescribed.
Surgical treatment
There are several types of operations in medicine.
Surgical intervention happens:
- partial (subtotal), in which only the affected part of the gland is excised;
- complete (total) - the thyroid gland is completely removed.
Of course, only a doctor who observes how a toxic thyroid adenoma proceeds in a patient can determine the method of intervention.
Preoperative treatment includes more than just drug therapy.
It is important to follow a number of rules:
- keep calm, avoid stressful situations;
- follow the doctor's recommended diet;
- hold herbal medicine sessions;
- get enough sleep;
- avoid sun exposure and tanning beds.
After the operation, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed, which the patient must take for the rest of his life.
Folk remedies
There are many excellent traditional medicine recipes for adjuvant therapy of thyroid pathologies. First of all, it is herbal medicine.
It should be noted that herbal treatment may be contraindicated in case ofsome diseases, so it is best to consult a phytotherapist and a treating endocrinologist.
It is important to realize that herbs do not completely cure toxic thyroid adenoma. Treatment with folk remedies is used only as an additional therapy. Therefore, it is imperative to fulfill all the appointments of the endocrinologist, take medications, follow a diet and daily routine. Only then can herbal medicine have a positive effect.
The following are recipes that help with thyroid diseases. For the use of these funds, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as they have a number of contraindications. In addition, they should be used only as part of complex treatment.
Effective remedies:
- Fortifying collection. Mix tricolor violet grass, licorice root, walnut leaves, corn silk, burdock root, Icelandic lichen and nettle leaves (2 parts of all components) with horsetail grass (1 part is taken). Take 2 tablespoons of herbal mixture and pour 600 ml of boiling water. Infuse for half an hour, then strain. Take half a glass 3 times a day.
- Mix of buckwheat with walnuts. Grind one glass of buckwheat in a coffee grinder. Finely chop a glass of walnuts. Mix with one glass of buckwheat honey. Transfer to a glass jar and put in a dark place for 7 days. One day a week there is only this remedy, washed down with water or green tea. Do not use if intolerant to honey and nuts.
- Infusion of milk thistle seeds. Crush 30 g of milk thistle seeds into powder. Pour 0.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil and, reducing the heat, wait for half of the liquid to evaporate. Remove from fire, strain. Take during the day, once an hour, 1 tablespoon, for a whole month.
Diet food
The diet of people diagnosed with toxic thyroid adenoma should contain proteins, vitamins and iodine.
The daily norm of iodine is 100-200 mcg. Iodized s alt is not a source of an essential element for the body. And, if this component is still not enough, take "Calcium Iodide" in tablets.
Prognosis of pathology
With timely therapy, the disease is almost always cured. If the entire gland has been removed, then lifelong hormone therapy is prescribed.
Patients experiencing this disease should follow certain recommendations:
- consult an endocrinologist annually;
- constantly monitor hormone levels;
- stick to the recommended diet;
- give up bad habits;
- don't stay in the sun for a long time.
Patient opinions
Many people ask the question: "Can toxic thyroid adenoma be cured without surgery?" Reviews of patients who have encountered this disease confirm that without surgicalintervention to get rid of pathology is almost impossible.
Drug treatment, the use of folk remedies can significantly reduce negative symptoms. Such therapy contributes to the normalization of hormonal levels and the patient feels significant relief. However, surgery is needed for complete healing.
