Every eighth woman over the age of sixty is faced with such an ailment as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Symptoms and treatment of this disease, as well as its causes and signs will be described in detail in this article. Very often, such an ailment causes great anxiety, which makes patients come to the endocrinologist. However, in fact, the disease is benign, so with the right treatment, there is absolutely nothing to fear.
What is Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Symptoms and treatment of this disease will be described below. In the meantime, it is worth figuring out what it is. For the first time this disease was discovered and described by the Japanese doctor Hashimoto. In honor of him, it got its name. However, in medicine, this disease has another name - autoimmune thyroiditis.
This disease is considered chronic. As a result, thyroid cells begin to break down under the influence of antithyroid autoantibodies.
Main causes of disease
In fact, the disease of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be described in detail in this article, may appear due to many factors. And, according to scientists, there is still no direct fault of the person himself. Most patients have a genetic predisposition to thyroiditis, as scientists have been able to identify some types of genes responsible for the transmission of this disease. Therefore, if your relatives suffer from such a pathology, then there is a high probability that you will too.
Very often, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is preceded by a stressful condition.
Also, according to statistics, it was found that females are much more likely to suffer from this disease, especially after the age of fifty. However, now pathologies are often seen in people of adolescence, as well as in babies.
Also, living in areas with poor ecology will contribute to the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Symptoms and treatment (you can see the photo in this article) allow you to quickly identify the disease and begin to effectively deal with it. Viral and infectious diseases can start the disease.
Important role of the immune system
Do not forget that immunity is a function of the body that protects it from foreignorganisms and various diseases. If this system fails, then in the body of a person prone to autoimmune thyroiditis, antibodies to the cells of the thyroid gland itself begin to be produced. This process leads to the destruction of these cells.
Symptoms of this disease
Hashimoto's thyroiditis disease (symptoms and treatment, causes - this is information that can help each patient get on the path to recovery) has a fairly wide range of symptoms with varying degrees of severity. Very often, patients complain of constant fatigue and very fast fatigue. Some patients have experienced increased heart rate, loss of mental clarity, and increased nervousness.
If the thyroid gland produces a very large amount of thyroxine hormones, then the metabolism of patients noticeably accelerates, so the symptoms of the disease will be: very rapid weight loss, excessive sweating, as well as diarrhea and irritability. So, if thyroxine is produced in large quantities in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (symptoms and treatment methods are described in the article), then the immune system begins to actively attack the thyroid gland.
If this gland, on the contrary, produces an insufficient amount of the hormone, then the patient experiences weight gain, very fast fatigue, constant depressed mood, constipation and a slow heartbeat.
Diagnostics
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (symptoms and treatment of the disease are not alwayseasy to install) occurs when the thyroid gland malfunctions. This disease can only be detected through special laboratory tests. If relatives have any autoimmune abnormalities, then you must pass a complete list of laboratory tests without fail. Pay attention to their list:
- General analysis to detect the level of lymphocytes in the blood.
- Immunogram with which you can determine the presence of antibodies to thyroid hormones, as well as to thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase.
- Be sure to do an ultrasound of the thyroid gland. It will help determine its dimensions, as well as show changes in its structure (if any).
- Take an analysis that determines the level of hormones T3, T4 and thyroid-stimulating.
- In some cases, a fine-needle biopsy is also performed to help detect an increased number of lymphocytes and other cells that are characteristic of a disease such as autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Symptoms and treatment, signs of the disease can only be determined by an experienced specialist.
How the treatment works
The main goal of treating this disease is to maintain a normal amount of thyroid hormones. If the disease is in the euthyroid stage, then drug treatment is usually not prescribed. But the control over the state of thyroid hormones will have to be done every six months.
If the thyroid gland does not produce enoughhormones, then the patient is prescribed drugs that can replenish their reserves. Very often, doctors prescribe Euthyrox and L-thyroxine. The dosage is selected purely individually by the attending physician, depending on the state of he alth. Usually, the increase in dosage takes place very gradually, under the strict supervision of specialists. As a rule, such drugs are taken for life.
If, on the contrary, hormones are produced in excessively large quantities, then drugs that reduce their production are usually not prescribed. In this case, doctors recommend symptomatic therapy. Drugs and course of treatment are selected on an individual basis.
Principles of treatment
Doctors do not in any way recommend coping with a disease such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis on their own. Symptoms and treatment, diagnosis are described in detail in this article, so you have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the main aspects of this disease.
Please note that only an experienced endocrinologist can choose drugs for treatment after your diagnosis has been accurately established. In the presence of this disease, experts still do not advise taking various immunomodulators. But from a he althy diet, you definitely should not give up. Eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. During increased physical exertion, as well as under stress, it is recommended to drink multivitamin complexes, such as Vitrum or Supradin.
Please note that prolonged use of iodine-containing substances, including bathing with iodized s alt, will increase the amount of antibodies to the thyroid cells.
Prognosis for recovery
Hashimoto's thyroiditis disease (symptoms and treatment, you can find the causes of the disease in the article) has a favorable prognosis for recovery. If the disease has taken the form of hypothyroidism, the patient will be forced to drink hormone-containing drugs for life.
Monitoring of hormonal indicators should be carried out once every six months. In accordance with the results of the analysis, conclusions are drawn about further treatment.
If ultrasound showed nodular formations that systematically increase in size, then experts recommend performing a puncture biopsy of the thyroid gland. This is done to exclude malignant tumor-like formations. If the diameter of such nodules is less than one centimeter, one must not forget to constantly monitor the condition of the thyroid gland.
Why do we need thyroid hormones
In fact, thyroid hormones are involved in many processes in the body, namely:
- regulate heat exchange;
- responsible for the formation of new cells and for the growth of the whole organism;
- participate in the development of the nervous and reproductive systems;
- regulate metabolic processes;
- participate in the formation of blood.
The thyroid gland controls almost all processes in the body,therefore, when it fails, all systems of the human body begin to malfunction. Since thyroid hormones affect the entire body, it is very difficult to identify the symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Usually, in the early stages of this disease, one can only notice an increase in glandular tissue, as well as an increased level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. That is why this disease is very difficult to begin to treat.
Thyroiditis during pregnancy
The course of pregnancy and the simultaneous state of the thyroid gland will primarily depend on the responsible attitude of the future mother to her he alth and to the he alth of her unborn baby. Therefore, all the drugs prescribed by the doctor must be taken constantly, on time and in the correct dosages. If this is not done, then the lives of the woman and the child will be in serious danger.
If you are properly treated and constantly monitor the level of hormones, then pregnancy and childbirth are easy, and nothing will threaten the life of the baby.
It should be borne in mind that changes in the hormonal background in the endocrine system very often occur in pregnant women. Therefore, it is possible to diagnose an autoimmune disease only using microscopic and ultrasound methods.
Thyroiditis in children
Most often this disease can be found in children before and during puberty. Since serious changes occur in the endocrine system during this period, any thyroid disorders can occur quite suddenly. However, most oftenchildren's hormonal background normalizes on its own, without the use of special hormonal preparations. In this case, only funds with systematic compensation can be used.
But if, nevertheless, the doctor prescribed hormonal drugs to the teenager, then the treatment should be carried out with special care, because in this case, after sexual development, the disease should recede.
In childhood, the disease most often attacks due to malnutrition, poor environment, stress, and, of course, hereditary factors.
Take care of yourself, and then you will not be afraid of any diseases. Stay he althy.
