The thyroid gland is one of the most important components of the endocrine system of the body. It constantly falls under the influence of various adverse factors, which leads to a violation of its performance. The hormones produced by it are able to control various processes in the body. Consequently, disruption of the thyroid gland causes imbalance and pathological changes in all systems and tissues.
An important link in the body
The three most important hormones - thyroxine, triiodothyronine and calcitonin are released directly into the blood. Their production occurs in the epithelial layer of the thyroid gland. The first two of the three hormones listed contain iodine. An insufficient or excess amount of this element in the water and food that a person consumes leads to diseases associated with the performance of the thyroid gland.
The production of thyroid-stimulating hormones can be deviated both more and lessside. In this case, the indicators of the work of organs and systems of the body differ significantly, up to the complete opposite. Even if the thyroid gland is enlarged, symptoms may vary. You can correctly diagnose the disease by external indicators and laboratory tests.
Too much
Hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis is characterized by increased production of hormones. It is not difficult to calculate the disease of the thyroid gland. Hormones poison the body with excess iodine. The person is excitable, emotional, nervous. He has sweating, hand tremors, palpitations, arrhythmia, thinness, not related to appetite.
It is believed that the disease has a hereditary predisposition and affects mainly women. Such selectivity is connected with the fact that ladies are subject to constant hormonal changes, which are associated with various processes, such as lactation, pregnancy, menstruation.
Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by severe emotional shocks, brain injuries, viral diseases, or disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. External factors also matter. For example, an excessive amount of iodine, which enters the body with food, may have a decisive influence on the development of hyperthyroidism.
Excess hormones entering the bloodstream change the balance in metabolism. The body stops absorbing carbohydrates and intensively consumes adipose tissue. In severe cases, thyroidheart , due to circulatory failure, while the thyroid gland is enlarged, ultrasound confirms the diagnosis.
In the development of the disease, many eye symptoms are distinguished, such as rare blinking, the inability to fix the gaze on nearby objects, etc. In diagnosis, it is important to understand that if the thyroid gland is enlarged, the causes and consequences can be very diverse. They require clear differentiation.
Too little
Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by low levels of hormones in the blood. The thyroid gland is enlarged, the symptoms are completely opposite to thyrotoxicosis, but this does not make the disease less serious. The patient is lethargic, edematous, has a poor memory, heart rate is below normal, in severe cases dementia may develop, up to cretinism.
The degree of development of hormonal deficiency is almost never comparable to complaints and requires clinical diagnosis. The first symptoms of a thyroid problem are described by patients as hair loss, lethargy, a constant desire to sleep.
When examining the tongue, its pronounced swelling and teeth marks along the edges are noticeable. Nasal breathing is difficult. Hearing, vision is impaired, the voice becomes hoarse. These manifestations are associated with edema of all organs and tissues. The thyroid gland is enlarged. Symptoms of damage to the cardiovascular system are reflected on the ECG.
For women, myxedema is a dangerous manifestation of infertility, due to damage to the ovaries. In addition, forhypothyroidism is characterized by the development of anemia. Severe development of the disease, if no action is taken, can lead to myxedematous coma and then death.
Other causes of changes in the structure and size of the thyroid gland
In addition to these deviations, there are other possible conditions that affect the enlargement of the thyroid gland. The causes, symptoms of the increase are determined by the endocrinologist, based on the history, external manifestations of the disease and a blood test for hormones. As a result, the doctor may make a diagnosis other than hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis, such as nodular goiter or thyroid adenoma. A malignant tumor is also possible, which also affects the thyroid gland. The symptoms of the pathology are quite characteristic.
Toxic nodular goiter
Clinical manifestations are in many ways similar to thyrotoxicosis, since the disease itself is caused by an increased amount of thyrotropes in the blood. However, there is a difference. With nodular goiter, there are no ophthalmic disorders and some other manifestations.
The causes of this disease are not fully understood. It is believed that there is a genetic predisposition and an unfavorable ecological situation. If multiple nodes are present, fine needle biopsy should be used to rule out cancer.
Simple non-toxic goiter
Symptoms and diagnosis of thyroid diseases are directly related, but should be supported by general information about the living conditions of the patienthuman, as well as rely on the results of laboratory studies.
So, for example, sporadic goiter gives a clinical picture similar to endemic. In this case, the thyroid gland is enlarged. Symptoms, complaints are reduced to a general syndrome, which reveals the pathological process. The correct diagnosis helps to make a detailed history and biopsy of the material of the gland.
Aberrant goiter
A disease in which the accessory thyroid gland is enlarged, while the normal one is absent. There are different localization of this pathology. It can be sublingual, retrosternal, esophageal, etc. By squeezing neighboring organs, the tumor causes associated symptoms: difficulty breathing, swallowing, hoarseness, etc. In order to distinguish aberrant goiter from any other, research is carried out. Radioisotope scanning plays a decisive role in making a diagnosis.
Surgical and conservative treatment
If a characteristic enlargement of the thyroid gland has been established, the symptoms and treatment of the enlargement should be monitored by a leading endocrinologist. He will determine the possibility of a conservative approach to treatment, which is desirable. Iodine or hormone replacement therapy will be prescribed.
This is done in order to remove the workload from the diseased gland as much as possible. She ceases to mobilize additional opportunitiesbody to compensate for its deficiency, thereby unloading vital systems such as respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular.
When the signs of thyroid disease are neglected, the symptoms can be severe enough to require surgical intervention. Patients are prescribed radioactive iodine. The degree of intervention can be different: from complete removal of the diseased organ to resection of the affected lobe or part of it.
Timely treatment of thyroid diseases, as a rule, provides a favorable prognosis for recovery. In order to prevent, especially in regions with a difficult endemic situation, it is necessary to regularly undergo an examination by an endocrinologist.
