Sick thyroid symptoms. Symptoms of thyroid disease. How do diseases manifest in children and adolescents?

Today, thyroid diseases, unfortunately, are not uncommon, and the fair sex suffers from them much more often than men. Signs of the disease depend on how the function of the thyroid gland is impaired, and there is not always a change in the level of its hormones. Diseases of this endocrine gland can be divided into 3 groups:

• diseases in which the concentration of thyroid hormones is increased (for example,);
• diseases in which the concentration of thyroid hormones is reduced (for example, hypothyroidism);
• diseases in which the level of thyroid hormones remains normal.

This article will discuss how to identify signs of thyroid disease in women.

Signs of thyroid disease with increased levels of thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis)

Often the first symptoms of thyrotoxicosis are changes in the neuropsychic sphere of a woman: she becomes irritable, tearful, sleep is disturbed (insomnia occurs more often).

1. Disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, usually manifested in the form of tachycardia, or.
2. Rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure persist at rest, even if measured after a night's sleep without getting out of bed.
3. There is an increase in appetite, but at the same time there is a decrease in body weight, sometimes significant. This is due to the fact that with hyperthyroidism, the body's metabolism accelerates. However, in rare cases and with increased thyroid function, obesity can occur.
4. Violation of thermoregulation. Women suffering from hyperthyroidism constantly complain of a feeling of heat in the body, even in a cool room; in the cold season they prefer to dress quite lightly. This symptom is also associated with the acceleration of metabolic processes and the release of a large amount of thermal energy, which must be removed from the body.
5. Trembling in the body, sometimes only trembling of the hands is noted. Sometimes hand trembling is outwardly invisible to a woman, but a change in handwriting may attract attention.
6. Endocrine ophthalmopathy (“bulging eyes”) - this symptom is not always found in thyrotoxicosis, most often it appears with diffuse toxic goiter, and in diseases of the thyroid gland it is always bilateral. With severe exophthalmos, there may be a violation of the closure of the eyelids, as a result of which dryness of the cornea, tearing, and a feeling of “sand in the eyes” will be observed.
7. Psycho-emotional disorders can appear much earlier than external signs of the disease. The woman becomes irritable, hot-tempered, and anxious, and periods of anger can abruptly give way to tearfulness. Sleep disturbances, most often insomnia, may occur.

Signs of thyroid disease with decreased function (hypothyroidism)

1. Changes in the condition of the skin, nails and hair. Women note that the skin becomes dry, flaky, pale and less elastic, especially dryness is expressed on the knees, elbows and face. There may be increased fragility and dullness of hair, as well as hair loss, nails begin to peel and lose shine. These changes are due to the fact that when the level of thyroid hormones in the blood decreases, collagen synthesis suffers.
2. Chilliness. Women suffering from hypothyroidism feel discomfort and feel cold even in hot weather. This is due to the fact that metabolic processes in the body slow down, including a decrease in the production of thermal energy.
3. Swelling. With hypothyroidism, swelling under the eyes is most often observed; in severe cases, swelling spreads to the entire body, up to anasarca. This is due to disturbances in protein metabolism. A characteristic sign of thyroid disease with decreased function is a large, swollen tongue, which impairs speech. Hoarseness may also occur due to swelling of the vocal cords.
4. Increased body weight. This is due to the accumulation of excess fluid in the subcutaneous tissue and slow energy metabolism. In this case, you can get rid of obesity only by normalizing the level of thyroid hormones; no amount of physical activity will help get rid of obesity. In very rare cases, patients' body weight does not change or even decreases.
5. Reduced heart rate and hypotension occur in 70% of patients with hypothyroidism.
6. Slowness and imprecision of movements. This happens due to a slowdown in almost all metabolic processes; in addition, memory and attention deteriorate; women complain of constant drowsiness and fatigue.
7. . A frequent companion to diseases of the thyroid gland with a decrease in its function, and the cause of this symptom, again, is the slowdown of all processes in the body, and the motility of the digestive tract also slows down.

Fortunately, with proper treatment of hypothyroidism and restoration of normal hormonal levels in the body, all these disorders disappear and the woman’s condition returns to normal.

Symptoms of thyroid disease without disruption of its hormone production

At the initial stage of thyroid diseases, there may be no symptoms, but by palpation the doctor detects certain changes.

Such diseases include autoimmune thyroiditis and endemic goiter without hypothyroidism, nodular colloid goiter, cysts and tumor diseases of the thyroid gland, and substernal goiter. With these diseases, there may be symptoms that are not associated with changes in the level of hormones produced by this endocrine gland.

1. External changes. Most often, there is an increase in the size of the organ, which is noticeable even to the woman herself; tumor-like protrusions in the projection of the gland can be visible and palpable. Sometimes this is the only sign of the initial stage of the disease. As the disease progresses, the enlarged thyroid gland may begin to compress the trachea and esophagus, resulting in impaired swallowing and breathing.
2. Internal changes. In case of cancer, the organ may not be visualized, but the appearance of pain in the projection of the thyroid gland and hoarseness of voice may indicate the spread of the process beyond the organ.

The retrosternal goiter is not visualized, since it is located behind the sternum, however, reaching large sizes, it can compress large vessels and nerves of the mediastinum, causing symptoms that are often not associated with pathology of the thyroid gland, which is revealed only with an in-depth examination.
As we can see, with diseases of the thyroid gland, many different symptoms can be observed, which are often similar to the signs of other diseases, therefore, to find out the cause of their occurrence, an examination by a doctor is necessary.

Which doctor should I contact?

Thyroid diseases are treated by an endocrinologist. Quite often, these diseases affect the heart, nervous system, and eyes, so consultation with a cardiologist, neurologist, or ophthalmologist will be useful. For thyroid cancer, the patient is treated by an oncologist.

In this video you can learn about the life cycle of the thyroid gland.

There are signs that indicate a malfunction of the thyroid gland is occurring in the body. The activity of this organ has a great influence on vital processes and the functioning of organs and systems.

This organ produces thyroid hormones. If their balance is disturbed, the patient does not feel any symptoms. Therefore, it is not easy for doctors to make a diagnosis. Manifestations of thyroid dysfunction are characteristic of other diseases.

How do endocrine diseases manifest in women?

Thyroid dysfunction is a disease that often occurs in women over 30 years of age. Signs of gland dysfunction are similar in nature to PMS. It's easy to mistake one for the other.

The first sign of problems associated with the thyroid gland is a sudden change in the patient’s behavior.

Thyroid disorders in women are expressed in the following symptoms:

• nervousness, tendency to worry;
• insomnia;
• the appearance of tremor;
• sweating of palms and feet;
• the skin of the face becomes pale and acquires an unhealthy shine;
• the appearance of bulging eyes;
• the neck becomes denser due to an increase in the size of the thyroid gland;
• rise in blood pressure;
• increased heart rate;
• the appearance of vomiting;
• feeling tired even without doing any physical activity;
• muscle pain;
• hair becomes lifeless and dry.

Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction in women

In later stages of thyroid disease, women experience breast discharge.

Manifestations of thyroid dysfunction in men

Signs of thyroid dysfunction in the male half are not too different from the female half:

• decreased muscle tone;
• memory loss;
• fast fatiguability;
• disorders related to the sexual sphere;
• nervousness;
• nausea;
• sudden changes in body weight;
• increased urination;
• increased blood pressure;
• the voice becomes hoarse;
• cholesterol levels increase;
• convulsions.

Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction in men

What characterizes thyroid dysfunction in children?

Symptoms indicating that there is a malfunction of the thyroid gland in a child’s body are as follows:

• feeling tired even after a long rest or night's sleep;
• insomnia;
• nervousness, tearfulness;
• lack of attention;
• decline in academic performance;
• the appearance of shortness of breath;
• sudden weight loss;
• the appearance of itching;
• elevated body temperature.

Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction in children

Goiter in pathological conditions of the thyroid gland

There are two types of goiter: endemic and diffuse toxic. The first is manifested by an increase in the size of the thyroid gland, as well as a lack of iodine. This condition develops in people living in areas with iodine deficiency, usually far from the sea. The body does not receive the required amount of iodine. Because of this, the thyroid gland cannot function as expected.

The second type of goiter is an autoimmune disease characterized by excessive production of thyroid hormones. The consequences of DTZ can lead to toxicosis that affects other organs. Then the body will no longer be able to perform filtration. This contributes to the development of poisoning, with symptoms reminiscent of food poisoning.

Hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland

This disease is manifested by the following symptoms:

• weakness, drowsiness;
• hearing impairment;
• increase in tongue size;
• difficulty swallowing;
• formation of edema, increase in body weight;
• slowing heart rate.

Disorders characteristic of hyperthyroidism

Diseases with increased secretory function of the thyroid gland are characterized by ordinary manifestations:

need for movement	low cholesterol,
irritability, tearfulness	VSD, blood pressure surges
skin hyperemia	elevated body temperature
weight loss while maintaining appetite	increased sweating
the appearance of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea	shortness of breath, increased heart rate
irregular menstruation, sexual problems	development of infertility

Patients rarely associate these manifestations with disorders of the thyroid gland, attributing everything to stress and fatigue. But the further the disease develops, the more new signs will appear.

A person who exhibits 5 or more of the symptoms listed above is recommended to visit an endocrinologist.

Infertility due to thyroid pathologies

If a woman is unable to bear a child or suffers from infertility, then a lack of thyroid hormones or, conversely, an excess of them is one of the main problems in conceiving a child.

Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can cause a lack of ovulation and also cause menstrual irregularities. They are often the main factor in infertility.

Pathologies of the thyroid gland in women during pregnancy are characterized by several complications:

1. anemia;
2. the appearance of bleeding;
3. increased risk of placental abruption in the early stages;
4. development of gestosis;
5. the occurrence of disorders associated with the activity of the heart.

Thyroid disorders in womenincreases the risk of spontaneous miscarriage. The child may be born with abnormalities or low birth weight. Reproductive function directly depends on the activity of the thyroid gland.

Thyroid cancer

The pathology is characterized by the appearance of atypical metastatic cells. Benign neoplasms are not dangerous. Malignant cells are life-threatening. The first stages of thyroid cancer may be asymptomatic. The disease may be discovered during a routine medical examination. Malignant tumors are distinguished by the fact that they are harder to the touch.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

This condition is also called autoimmune thyroiditis. The pathology is based on disorders associated with the immune system, which produces antibodies directed at thyroid cells. So its work is disrupted, and a deficiency of necessary hormones occurs. The most common cause of this disease is considered to be heredity.

This disease is accompanied by specific symptoms:

• an increase in the size of the thyroid gland with further development of goiter;
• difficulty breathing even without performing physical activity;
• fast fatiguability;
• disturbance of attention, concentration;
• menstrual irregularities;
• the appearance of gray hair.

Thyroiditis and its consequences during pregnancy

Women during the postpartum period may develop an inflammatory process. Against this background, thyroiditis occurs. The disease occurs in two stages. The first is characterized by the manifestation of signs of hyperthyroidism. The second stage is damage to the thyroid gland.

Diagnostic methods and methods of treating diseases of the endocrine system

If you find symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, then you need to contact an endocrinologist. Self-medication will only harm your health. Thyroid diseases should be treated by a specialist.

The doctor will examine you, conduct a survey, and prescribe the necessary research methods, including a blood test for hormones. Based on the results of the tests, a diagnosis is made.

Additional research methods are ultrasound, tissue biopsy and other instrumental studies. There are many different diseases associated with the thyroid gland. The therapeutic actions for each of them are different.

1. When a patient has hypothyroidism, the doctor should prescribe thyroxine hormone replacement therapy. After just a few weeks of this treatment, the patient will notice the first improvements. In many cases, due to thyroid diseases, medications must be taken throughout life;
2. For a person suffering from hyperthyroidism, treatment should be aimed at suppressing excessive hormone production. This variant of the disease requires the prescription of antisteroid drugs;
3. If an organ is affected by grade 2-3 nodular goiter, the patient will require surgical intervention. After the operation, patients are prescribed hormonal replacement therapy.

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders

Some patients additionally use traditional medicine methods. They will be effective in combination with medications prescribed by a doctor. Before using any folk remedy, it is necessary to first consult with a specialist.

Prevention

To avoid problems associated with the endocrine system, try to adhere to the following rules:

1. eat right, eat foods containing iodine;
2. try to play sports and lead an active lifestyle;
3. spend as much time walking in the fresh air as possible;
4. limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, stop smoking;
5. undergo a preventive examination by an endocrinologist annually.

If you are unable to take foods containing iodine, you can take a course of treatment with vitamins containing this element. It is better to first consult an endocrinologist. An excess of iodine is as harmful to the human body as its deficiency. Therefore, you can take a vitamin complex only when you are completely sure that the body requires iodine. Products containing this element: seaweed, nuts, sea fish, etc.

The thyroid gland is an organ of the endocrine system responsible for the synthesis of the hormones thyroxine (T 3), triiodothyronine (T 4) and calcitonin, which, in turn, together with the nervous and immune systems regulate the functioning of the entire body. Diseases of the thyroid gland are becoming more frequent every year, and people especially suffer from them. This is due to the numerous hormonal changes that occur throughout life, such as pregnancy and menopause.

Anatomy and functions of the thyroid gland

Myxedema

Myxedema is a pathology in which the thyroid gland does not perform its function, stopping the production of thyroid hormones. This is a severe form of hypothyroidism, with severe mucous swelling. This rather rare disease occurs mainly in women during menopause, but there are no age restrictions.

Myxedema is divided into types - thyroid (acquired and congenital) and hypothalamic-pituitary.

Causes

The main reason is low levels of the hormones T 3 and T 4. You can also highlight:

• autoimmune thyroiditis;
• treatment of hypothyroidism with radioactive iodine isotope;
• thyroid tumor;
• iodine deficiency;
• complications after thyroid surgery;
• pituitary and hypothalamic hypothyroidism;
• autoimmune pathologies.

Symptoms

In addition to increasing the symptoms of hypothyroidism, note:

• arthrosis;
• myalgia;
• heartache;
• uterine bleeding;
• inflammation in the abdominal cavity;
• deterioration in general health.

In children, the disease manifests itself with the following symptoms and complications:

• delayed physical, mental and sexual development;
• cretinism.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis includes a medical history, laboratory tests (blood test for hormones, TSH level, test for antibodies to thyroid peroxidase). Also prescribed:

• computed tomography of the thyroid gland;
• biopsy and histological examination;
• X-ray of the gland;
• electrocardiography of the heart.

Treatment

The only treatment for thyroid myxedema is medication. Replacement therapy with L-thyroxine (levothyroxine) is carried out throughout life, since it is impossible to restore thyroid function. In addition, glucocorticoid drugs are prescribed. Correction of hemodynamic abnormalities and treatment aimed at relieving symptoms to alleviate the patient’s condition are also carried out.

Iodine preparations are prescribed by an endocrinologist for iodine deficiency in accordance with the age and general condition of the patient. The diet consists of, rich in vitamins, minerals and iodine. It is important for the patient to support his immunity with natural immunomodulators, without resorting to pills.

Hypothyroid coma

One of the most serious diseases of the thyroid gland. This is a complication caused by uncompensated hypothyroidism or myxedema. It happens rarely, mainly affecting older women, but the mortality rate is high and reaches 50-80%. Treatment is hampered by late diagnosis.

There are three phases:

• slow brain activity (consciousness is confused);
• precoma (disorientation, almost unconsciousness);
• coma (loss of consciousness, often irreversible).

Causes

The main reason is the lack of treatment for hypothyroidism and its late diagnosis. Also, provoking factors include:

• hypothermia of the body;
• acute and chronic diseases (pneumonia, myocardial infarction, viral infections, etc.);
• hypoglycemia;
• hypoxia;
• surgery, radiation therapy;
• alcohol abuse.

Symptoms

The clinical picture develops as an increase in the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Other features are also added:

• oliguria (slow urine production);
• hypothermia;
• brain hypoxia;
• decrease in lung volume;
• accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity;
• thinking disorders, neuroses, personality changes.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is usually not difficult, because the symptoms are very characteristic of the clinical picture of hypothyroidism. Laboratory tests are prescribed (determining the level of TSH, T 3 and T 4 in the blood). The doctor must differentiate the disease from stroke, uremic and eclamptic coma, as well as complications associated with diabetes.

Treatment

A patient with hypothyroid coma is hospitalized. Treatment, as with hypothyroidism, is aimed at compensating for the lack of hormones in the blood. Replacement therapy with L-thyroxine intravenously is prescribed, as well as general supportive therapy. Treatment of respiratory dysfunction, hypoglycemia, cardiovascular system, as well as normalization of heat exchange processes and elimination of anemia are carried out.

Cretinism

Ultrasound of the thyroid gland reveals its enlargement. The doctor also prescribes a biopsy and histological examination, which gives a broader picture of the disease.

Treatment

Thyroiditis is treated with medication. The main goal is to maintain normal thyroid function. When the function is increased, thyrostatics (drugs that reduce hormone synthesis) are prescribed or, at the discretion of the doctor, medications that reduce the symptoms of the disease.

If AIT occurs at the stage of hypothyroidism, L-thyroxine is prescribed. Anti-inflammatory drugs (Indomethacin, Voltaren) are also used to lower the titer of autoantibodies. The dosage is selected by an endocrinologist individually for each patient. Therapy is prescribed for life.

Goiter

A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland that is not associated with malignancy or inflammation. It most often occurs in iodine-deficient areas, but can also be caused by an excess of iodine. Mature women are several times more likely to suffer from goiter than men. Goiter can be classified according to morphological characteristics:

• – has no nodes, the thyroid gland enlarges evenly, its function gradually decreases.
• Nodular goiter - there is a node or nodes in the tissues of the thyroid gland (), the enlargement of the thyroid gland is uneven, and the function also decreases.
• – mixed type, in which there are signs of both diffuse and nodular goiter.

Etiopathogenetic signs:

• endemic goiter - enlargement of the gland due to lack of iodine in the body;
• sporadic goiter - diffuse or nodular enlargement of the thyroid gland, not associated with iodine deficiency.

Classification according to the degree of enlargement of the thyroid gland:

• 0 degree – no goiter;
• 1st degree - the goiter is palpable, but not noticeable to the eye;
• 2nd degree - the goiter is palpable and large in size.

Causes

– the main cause of goiter development. The most common is endemic goiter. Other reasons can be divided into:

• hypothyroidism, which occurs when the secretion of thyroid hormones is impaired;
• hyperthyroidism, which provokes toxic goiter or inflammatory processes.

Diseases of internal organs and heredity, toxic substances entering the human body due to poor environment and low-quality products are also risk factors.

Symptoms

The disease does not manifest itself immediately; in the first stages it does not show any signs. Over time, the patient notices a puffy neck in the Adam's apple area. If we talk about the nodular origin of goiter, then the enlargement of the thyroid gland is often unilateral and heterogeneous.

The following symptoms are typical for goiter:

• Due to compression of the trachea, difficulty breathing is felt.
• The voice becomes more hoarse.
• Gives me no rest.
• Unpleasant sensations when swallowing, “lump” in the throat.
• Dizziness and headaches.
• With hypothyroidism, hypotension and a feeling of tightness in the heart area are observed.
• Shortness of breath even with slight physical exertion.
• Memory loss, slow thinking.
• With hyperplasia, body temperature rises.
• Body weight is rapidly decreasing.
• The patient suffers from insomnia.
• Unreasonable aggressiveness and irritability.
• Gastrointestinal disorders.
• Hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails.

Diagnostics

As with any thyroid disease, after collecting an anamnesis and visual examination, the first step is to take a general blood test and blood test for thyroid hormone levels. The instrumental method includes ultrasound. Using this method, you can determine the nature of the disease, the size and structure of the goiter, and also determine its type. For nodular goiter, a biopsy is prescribed to rule out malignancy.

Treatment

The main treatment method for hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone replacement therapy. If the cause of the disease is hyperfunction of the gland, the situation is more complicated, since the risk of tumor formation is quite high. Often with this development of events, doctors recommend surgical intervention.

;

medullary.

Highly aggressive forms include:

• anaplastic cancer;
• squamous cell carcinoma.

The most common is papillary thyroid cancer, and it is also the safest.

Rare forms, accounting for 1-2%, are lymphoma, sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, epidermoid and metastatic cancer.

Causes

When diagnosing thyroid cancer, the doctor is unlikely to be able to say exactly what caused the disease. However, there are a number of most likely factors:

• radiation exposure;
• genetic predisposition;
• iodine deficiency;
• the presence of autoimmune processes;
• thyroid nodules.

Also considered one of the possible causes is mutations of certain genes that lead to uncontrolled cell division.

Symptoms

The first symptom that can be noticed is a nodule in the neck. Cancer also causes enlarged lymph nodes, pain in the cervical region, sometimes hoarseness, discomfort when swallowing and cough. Symptoms of thyroid cancer can be similar to other tumors.

Diagnostics

After a visual examination, an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is performed, which can be used to determine the size, location and morphological features of the neoplasm. If the node is larger than 1 cm, a biopsy and histological examination are prescribed. An isotope scan helps determine whether cancer has spread beyond the thyroid gland.

Treatment

For this disease, the main method is surgery, in which either most or all of the thyroid gland is removed. After removal of the thyroid gland, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. Radiation or chemotherapy is used for small tumors.

Prevention of thyroid diseases

The main preventive measure should be adequate iodine intake. The daily intake for adults is 150 mcg, for pregnant women – 200-250 mcg. It is best to adhere to a specific diet whose foods are rich in iodine (see table). You can also take medications (for example), this makes it easier to control the amount of iodine entering the body. Before use, consult an endocrinologist, as there are categories of people for whom consuming iodine may be dangerous.

Excessive obesity negatively affects the functioning of the thyroid gland, so if you have problems with this, you should think about losing weight.
A healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol will help avoid thyroid diseases.

As we have seen, there are a large number of types of thyroid diseases. Everyone has their own treatment needs. The main preventive method that can be recommended to everyone who cares about their health is to visit an endocrinologist at least once a year. This will help timely diagnose any disease in the early stages, when treatment has the most favorable outcome.

It is also worth conducting an examination of the thyroid gland and the whole body if you are planning a pregnancy, since this is a very important period in a woman’s life, with a lot of stress on the body. A healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, and proper nutrition enriched with vitamins and minerals will help maintain the health of your body.

The group of specific symptoms includes those that appear when there is a deviation in the morphology of the thyroid gland. A lot of pathologies cause the growth of an endocrine organ or the appearance of neoplasms, tumors, etc. When the thyroid gland occurs, compression of the surrounding structures occurs. Conditions associated with impaired functioning of the neck, nerves, esophagus, trachea, and larynx arise. The following signs are noted:

• hoarseness, complete loss of voice;
• difficulty breathing, suffocation, not associated with respiratory diseases;
• difficulty swallowing, especially difficult swallowing solid food;
• dilated vessels in the neck;
• pain in the area of ​​the affected organ;
• when there is an enlargement of the thyroid gland or the presence of neoplasms in its mass.

Each group of diseases, in addition to general symptoms, has specific ones that indicate the characteristics of the genesis, course, and stages of this pathology.

Let's take a closer look at the specific symptoms of individual, most common thyroid diseases.

Endemic goiter

With this disease, the thyroid parenchyma is significantly hypertrophied. Tissue proliferation is compensatory in nature. Deviations in size are felt upon palpation and are often determined visually as a characteristic symmetrical or asymmetrical thickening at the base of the neck. The release of thyroid hormones is reduced.

Diffuse toxic goiter

With this pathological condition, uniform growth of the thyroid gland also occurs. However, all the signs of thyrotoxicosis caused by excessive growth and increased secretory activity of follicular tissue are observed.

Autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis

The disease is often characterized by an asymptomatic course. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is quite difficult to diagnose because... in this condition, both hypertrophic and atrophic processes in tissues can be observed. There is pain in the affected area. At the initial stage of the disease, manifestations of hyperthyroidism are observed; in subsequent stages, hypothyroidism develops. When diagnosing, the doctor relies on blood test levels.

Basedow's disease (Graves' disease)

The cause of this disease is an autoimmune process. However, unlike Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease is characterized by thyrotoxicosis and associated symptoms. Autoantibodies are detected in the patient's blood.

Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is a group of the thyroid gland. Like any other inflammatory processes, thyroiditis is often manifested by a sharp increase in body temperature, the occurrence of pain in the area of ​​the affected organ and the appearance of signs of general intoxication: chills, malaise, muscle and joint pain, a state of general weakness, etc. With such diseases, as noted above, symptoms of hyperthyroidism appear in the early stages, then hypothyroidism develops.

Benign neoplasms

Benign neoplasms in the tissues of the thyroid gland are represented by compactions, tumors or nodes, which are determined by palpation, sometimes by visual examination. The pathological condition can have different genesis and be accompanied by thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism or euthyroidism. The gland can either increase or remain within the normal range. Benign neoplasms include nodes (hyperplasia), . Sometimes nodes form due to thyroiditis. The node or tumor has a round shape and clear boundaries.

Malignant neoplasm (cancer)

During a malignant process, the submandibular lymph nodes become enlarged, which indicates the possibility of metastasis. A cancerous tumor is characterized by uneven edges, tears in the fibrous capsule, and invasion of the tumor into the thyroid tissue. Conditions arise that are associated with deviations in the morphology of the endocrine organ. Secretion can be either excessive or decreased, or remain normal. Cancer is diagnosed by ultrasound or postoperative histological examination of the excised tumor.

Symptoms of diseases in children

The role of the thyroid gland in the formation of a child’s body deserves special attention. When its secretory function is violated, very serious deviations in the development of anatomical systems and metabolism occur. The child’s body is very sensitive to changes in hormonal levels. Along with general symptoms, specific reactions characteristic of childhood appear. First of all, the child’s behavior changes.

With hyperthyroidism, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, muscle hypertonicity, body trembling (tremor), disruption of the circadian rhythm, inability to maintain attention on an object for a long time, and memory impairment are manifested. With hypothyroidism, lethargy, apathy, absent-mindedness, general weakness, coldness, drowsiness, and impaired cognitive activity are noted.

In children, the maturation of the body as a whole is disrupted. Short stature, muscular dystrophy, and delayed physical and mental development develop. The patient suffers from constipation, obesity or weight loss. Adolescent children experience delayed sexual development, and teenage girls often experience irregular menstruation. Children with thyroid hormone deficiency are characterized by specific facial features: puffiness, wide-set eyes, pale skin.

The most severe and often irreversible consequences are observed in the psyche. Deviations of mental development occur, mental retardation, deaf-muteness and other diseases develop.

To diagnose thyroid diseases, a doctor needs to know all the symptoms and their combinations. Also, to make an accurate diagnosis, one should take into account the gender and age of the patient, environmental, professional and hereditary factors affecting the person. The doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination for the patient, which includes examination, ultrasound, blood tests for the level of thyroid and other hormones, for the presence of autoantibodies, and, if necessary, a puncture biopsy is performed. Only after studying a set of parameters does the endocrinologist make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Most people, after sleeping through a morning run or falling asleep while watching their favorite TV series, say they are simply tired. But if they wanted to know the real reason for the fatigue that keeps them chained to their bed, they would do well to talk to someone who has a thyroid condition.

No more strength!

Feelings of fatigue and exhaustion were absolutely not typical for me. I have always been a very energetic person. Six hours of sleep at night was enough for me.

But since last fall, I have become a different person, whom I myself did not like very much. I struggled to get up in the morning to take the kids to school and then go back to bed, often falling asleep before 10 or even 11, while suffering acutely from the consciousness of my guilt.

But just at that moment, my younger sister was diagnosed with thyroid problems, and her doctor said that the disease may have a family history.

And when I read the list of possible symptoms of thyroid disease: depression, constipation, hair loss, weight gain and others - everything fell into place. I have hypothyroidism. I am one of millions of people suffering from this disease.

On the brakes!

The thyroid gland is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that controls the flow of energy in the body. Hypothyroidism, also called an underactive thyroid, means that the gland does not produce enough hormones to do its job. The most common cause is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a condition that causes the body to produce antibodies that attack its own thyroid gland. Lack of thyroid hormones makes a person sluggish. Slow digestion causes constipation, decreased metabolism leads to weight gain and high cholesterol, hair and skin, lacking many nutrients, become dry and rough (and hair may also fall out).

The brain also needs thyroid hormones to use oxygen and stimulate the production of serotonin and dopamine, which regulate emotions. This is why hypothyroidism can lead to depression and moodiness, not to mention the blurred thinking that almost every patient with this disease complains about. Other signs, such as weight gain, cramps and stomach discomfort, aren't specific enough to alert doctors to a thyroid problem, but they're no less troublesome.

Some experts estimate that women over 35 today have a 35% risk of developing thyroid disease. But many experts think that these numbers are even higher because a significant proportion of patients are not aware of their diagnosis.

Here are the reasons for the unprecedented rise in popularity of the disease:

Stress

It is ubiquitous these days. Many hypothyroidism specialists recommend that patients try yoga, meditation and other stress-relieving techniques, which could help prevent immune system problems such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

Environmental intoxication

Some toxins destroy the human endocrine system, disrupting the synthesis of hormones. Currently, the American Thyroid Association has taken up the topic of environmental influences on the function of this organ.

Nutritional deficiencies

Too much or too little iodine, deficiencies of selenium in soil, fluoride in water, and too much soy in today's diet may also be culprits in the prevalence of hypothyroidism.

Action Plan

If you suspect you have hypothyroidism, check for the symptoms listed below:

• increased fatigue or complete lack of strength
• severe drowsiness
• decreased tone
• unfounded concern
• irritability
• indifference to sex
• constipation
• forgetfulness
• increased chilliness
• frequent seizures
• nausea
• unexplained weight gain despite dieting
• thinning or loss of hair
• dry skin and hair
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• painful or longer than normal periods
• low hoarse voice

If you find something from this list in yourself, we recommend the following course of action.

List your symptoms. Write them down. For example, you can't go through the day without taking a nap, or you've gained 10 kg despite walking 5 times a week and following a diet.

Ask relatives, including siblings, parents, siblings, cousins, and grandparents, if they have a history of thyroid problems or if they have ever received supplemental thyroid hormones.

Tell your doctor all this and ask him to order a TSH test for you. This is a blood test that checks your thyroid hormone levels. Find out your exact score, not just whether it's in the "normal" range. Some endocrinology experts now say the normal range is between 0.3 and 3.0. This means that a TSH above 3 would indicate hypothyroidism. But many laboratories have not adopted the new criteria for assessing this indicator and still do not consider a result of 4 or even 5 as high.

Check again in 3 months. If you have been prescribed treatment, you will be able to understand whether it is helping.

Ask for a thyroid antibody test - Anti-TPO. If your TSH test is normal but you are not feeling well, this test may help determine if you have hypothyroidism.

Perform additional hormonal tests. Doctors should check your T3 and T4 hormone levels, which can give a more accurate picture of how your thyroid is functioning.

Everything is individual

The “One size” approach is impossible here - one size for everyone. You may have to make several visits to doctors to get the correct prescriptions, and subsequent treatment may also change. The purpose of treatment is replacement therapy with synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones.

The doctor selects the dose individually, depending on the depth of hypothyroidism, the patient’s age, the state of his cardiovascular system, and the presence of other pathologies. With the correct dose of the drug, the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone is within normal limits. Control is carried out once every 6-12 months.