A small thyroid gland always indicates an endocrine pathology. In medicine, such a violation is called organ hypoplasia. It is more common in women than in men. The small size of the gland always leads to a decrease in hormone production. Such a deviation requires immediate treatment, otherwise endocrine disorders become chronic. The thyroid gland is an important organ, the condition of cells and metabolism depends on its proper functioning. Therefore, any deviation in its function affects the whole organism as a whole.
Normal gland sizes
The normal size of the thyroid gland in women depends on body weight. The more the patient weighs, the larger the allowable dimensions of this organ. The size of the gland is measured in cubic centimeters. It can be determined during an ultrasound.
The norms of the volume of the thyroid gland in women depending on the weight are shown in the table:
| Patient weight (in kg) | to 55 | to 65 | up to 75 | to 85 | to 95 | up to 105 and above |
| Volume of gland (in cm3) | 15, 5 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 28, 5 | 32 |
These are the maximum dimensions of an organ. During the examination, the doctor must pay attention to the patient's weight.
Tyroid volume in women is normally less than about 2 cm3 than in men of the same body weight.
In children, the normal size of an organ does not depend on weight, but on age. The older the child, the larger his iron. Normal thyroid sizes for children are shown in the table:
| Age | 6 years | 8 years | 10 years | 11 years old | 12 years old | 13 years old | 14 years old | 15 years |
| Organ volume (in cm3) | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
With ultrasound, it is also important to determine the dimensions of the left and right lobes of the gland. The normal size of the thyroid gland in women is:
- left lobe: 4x2x2 cm;
- right share: 4x2x2 cm.
During the examination, attention is also paid to the structure and evenness of the contours of the organ. The diagnosis of hypoplasia or atrophy is made if the size of the gland is below the age or weight norm.
Causes of hypoplasia
WhyUltrasound examination reveals a reduced thyroid gland? There can be many reasons for organ hypoplasia. In adults, the thyroid gland may decrease due to the following factors:
- Disorders of the pituitary gland. This is the central gland of the human body, which regulates the work of all other endocrine organs. If the pituitary gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone, then degenerative changes occur in the cells of the thyroid gland, and it decreases in size.
- Autoimmune thyroiditis. This is a chronic inflammatory pathology associated with the aggressive effect of the immune system on the cells of the gland. As a result, the organ may shrink.
- Lack of iodine in the diet. This element is necessary for the thyroid gland. With its deficiency, the normal functioning of the organ is disrupted.
- Age-related changes. In older people, the size of the organ becomes smaller due to changes in cells.
- Taking hormonal drugs. Some medications suppress thyroid function, causing the organ to shrink.
- The effects of radiation. Ionizing radiation has a detrimental effect on the gland and causes inflammation in the organ.
It has been established that a small thyroid gland in women is noted more often than in men. This is due to the fact that estrogen hormones predominate in the female body. If they are formed in excess, then this can provoke autoimmune thyroiditis.
Small thyroid in children more oftenall associated with congenital pathology. Hypoplasia of the organ is formed even in the prenatal period. The following factors can lead to this:
- maternal hormone intake during pregnancy;
- harmful effects of toxins and radiation on the body of the expectant mother;
- lack of iodine in the diet of a pregnant woman.
All these circumstances can lead to the birth of a baby with organ hypoplasia. Sometimes a small thyroid gland in a child can be due to a hereditary factor. In this case, hypoplasia is noted in the parents and other close relatives of the baby.
Degrees of pathology
The concept of "small thyroid gland" implies 2 types of pathology:
- reducing the volume of the entire organ;
- reducing the size of one of the lobes of the gland.
In endocrinology, there are several degrees of hypoplasia:
- 1 degree. At this stage, a decrease in the volume of the organ is noticeable only with ultrasound. There are no pronounced symptoms. However, if treatment is not started, the pathology will progress.
- 2 degree. The normal functioning of the organ is disrupted. There are signs of thyroid hormone deficiency.
- 3 degree. In advanced cases, the patient has severe complications. Edema is noted in adults, and mental retardation in children.
Symptomatics
A decrease in the thyroid gland is always associated with a decrease in hormone production. This affects the state of the whole organism. It is possible to identify common signs of thyroid pathologyglands common to all patient groups:
- A person feels constant weakness, gets tired quickly, his performance is sharply impaired.
- The patient's memory is deteriorating and there are problems concentrating.
- The body temperature drops.
- The patient begins to gain excess body weight.
- Delayed bowel movements and increased gas production.
- The patient feels very thirsty, swelling appears on the face.
- Both women and men have a decrease in libido.
This condition is called hypothyroidism by endocrinologists. It is associated with a deficiency of thyroid hormones.
Features of pathology depending on gender and age
In addition to the above symptoms, hypothyroidism has specific manifestations in patients of different sex and age.
In women, the manifestations of thyroid pathology depend on the age at which hypoplasia occurred. If the patient has been suffering from this disease since childhood, then the following symptoms are typical:
- small stature;
- excessive thinness of limbs with large head sizes;
- abdominal enlargement;
- hoarse voice;
- underdevelopment of secondary sexual characteristics;
- infertility;
- poor coordination.
If hypoplasia occurs in a patient in adulthood, then the following manifestations are noted:
- deposition of fat in the abdomen;
- poor condition of skin, hair andnails;
- swelling in the lips and eyes;
- pale skin color;
- mood swings;
- decrease in blood pressure;
- low hemoglobin level.
Not always a woman associates such symptoms with thyroid disease. However, if you experience persistent fatigue, weight gain and swelling, you should be examined by an endocrinologist.
If a small thyroid gland is noted in a child under the age of 7 years, then this can have an extremely negative impact on mental development. Parents should be alert for the following symptoms:
- stunting;
- unreasonable weight loss;
- lethargy and weakness;
- constant constipation;
- hoarse voice;
- absent-mindedness, lethargy;
- yellowish skin color.
If such a clinical picture occurs, you need to urgently contact a pediatric endocrinologist and undergo a diagnostic examination. Timely treatment will help normalize the development and growth of the child.
Complications
Untreated, hypoplastic thyroid leads to dangerous consequences. The disease enters the third stage, which is accompanied by severe disorders.
In adults, a complication of hypothyroidism is myxedema. In this disease, all organs and tissues suffer from a deficiency of thyroid hormones. There are severe swelling throughout the body, obesity, severe fatigue. In severe cases, the disease leads to myxedema coma, which in most casesends fatally.
In children, thyroid shrinkage and hypothyroidism can lead to cretinism. The disease is characterized by severe mental retardation, short stature and edema. With congenital cretinism, treatment should be carried out in the first month of life of the baby. If therapy is delayed, mental retardation may remain forever.
Diagnosis
You can diagnose hypoplasia with an ultrasound examination. This method allows you to identify the size of the body, as well as signs of changes in the thyroid gland. Additionally, the following studies are prescribed:
- blood test for pituitary and thyroid hormones;
- test for thyroglobulin and antibodies;
- biochemical blood test for carbohydrate metabolism;
- MRI of the thyroid gland.
A blood test for hormones allows you to identify the disease in the early stages. With hypoplasia of the first degree in a person, the synthesis of thyroid hormones may not be impaired. However, an elevated pituitary secretion of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) indicates the presence of a pathology.
Treatment
If the patient's iron is slightly reduced and there are no hormonal disorders, then the doctor recommends dynamic monitoring. The patient needs to regularly visit the endocrinologist and take a blood test for hormones. The patient is also prescribed a diet high in iodine. The following foods are recommended:
- seaweed;
- squid;
- fish;
- dishes of egg powder and powdered milk.
Hormonal drugs are prescribed for a decrease in thyroid function:
- "L-thyroxine".
- "Triiodothyronine".
- "Eutiroks".
- "Thyroidin".
- "Tyrotom".
The dosage of drugs is selected by the doctor individually, depending on the results of the analysis for hormones.
If gland hypoplasia is detected in a newborn child, then hormone therapy should be started as early as possible. Otherwise, at the age of 3-4 years, manifestations of mental retardation may occur. Congenital organ shrinkage often requires lifelong medication.
For adults, treatment is prescribed only after finding out the cause of the reduction of the gland. If hypoplasia is caused by other pathologies (diseases of the pituitary gland, autoimmune thyroiditis), then it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.
Prevention
How to prevent gland hypoplasia? If we are talking about congenital pathology, then every pregnant woman needs to undergo prenatal diagnosis of the fetus. During the period of bearing a child, harmful effects should be avoided and foods rich in iodine should be consumed.
Adults need to regularly undergo a preventive examination by an endocrinologist, do an ultrasound of the gland and take an analysis for hormones. It is also necessary to cure endocrine pathologies in time, such as autoimmunethyroiditis and pituitary disorders.
