Thyroid disease: the variety of diagnoses sad

Thyroid disease: the variety of diagnoses sad
Treatment

Thyroid disease The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly, it is located in the front of the neck, right below the Adam's apple. Iron "I wrapped" around the trachea; It consists of two "butterfly wing" and central, the connecting portion (continuing the analogy with a butterfly - it is the torso). Thyroid works like a small plant which uses iodine (preferably from foods, especially seafood and salts) to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism and affect the growth and other critical processes in the body.

The two most important thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), constituting 99.9% and 0.1% of thyroid hormones respectively. The greatest biological importance has T3. Immediately after entering the bloodstream significant part of the T4 is converted into T3 - the active hormone, which stimulates the metabolic processes throughout the body.

Regulation of thyroid hormone: hierarchy

The thyroid gland regulates the pituitary gland. In turn, the pituitary gland regulates the thyroid gland partially (through the "feedback effect" between thyroid hormones and the pituitary gland) and the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus emits hormone releasing thyrotropin (TRH), which sends a signal to the pituitary gland to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH sends a signal to the thyroid to release thyroid hormones. If one of these glands is overactive works, produced excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism. Reduced activity of one of the glands causes a lack of thyroid hormone and hypothyroidism.

Hypothalamus - TRH
Pituitary gland - TTG
The thyroid gland - T4 and T3

Production of thyroid hormone controls the pituitary gland. If the hormone circulates in the body in very small amounts, increases the pituitary gland releases TSH, trying to stimulate the production of thyroid hormone. Conversely, when the thyroid hormone in the body too much, the pituitary gland begins to produce less TSH.

The thyroid gland produces another hormone - calcitonin. Its produce special cells of the thyroid gland, and, unlike the T3 and T4, it is not involved in regulating metabolism. Calcitonin - a hormone that regulates the level of calcium in the blood. Excess calcium called hypercalcemia.

What diseases occur when the changes of the thyroid gland?

Reduced activity of the thyroid gland, disorders of regulation of its operation can cause hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism . Its causes may be:

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis)
Postpartum thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland after pregnancy)
Acute thyroiditis
Asymptomatic thyroiditis
Medicines that affect the thyroid function

If the thyroid gland is hyperactive or if the regulators make it produce too much hormone can develop hyperthyroidism. Here are some reasons for it:

Grave's disease
Toxic multinodular goiter
Excessive consumption of iodine
Hashitoksikoz
Some medications

What diseases occur when changing the structure of the thyroid gland?

Changes in the structure may be the result of dysfunction such as multinodular toxic goiter, adenoma, and as a result, again, there is hyperthyroidism. However, most of the structural problems arise in the normal functioning glands.

Problems range from benign cysts to cancers of the thyroid gland.

Enlarged thyroid gland is called goiter. Its size can vary from a very small and subtle to so many that need surgery to remove it. Furthermore, the location of the thyroid individually; depending on the available variations of different people, it may be located in different places.

What are the signs and symptoms indicate a change in the structure of the thyroid gland?

Depending on the size and location of the cancer, the symptoms may include:

Compression of the trachea and / or the esophagus, due to which it becomes difficult to swallow and breathe
Thyroid may increase so that will be a serious defect in appearance
If the size of the prostate is growing rapidly, there may be local pain

If the real cause of the problem - the cancer may go down enlarged lymph nodes, in addition, pay attention to other symptoms such as weight loss, night sweats, and changes in appetite.

As diagnosed thyroid disease?

Blood test

Blood tests are often used to assess the functioning of the thyroid gland. Along with T3 and T4 levels measured thyroid-stimulating hormone. If their level is not normal, blood is tested for antibodies.

Medical imaging

It is used when there is any doubt regarding the structure of the thyroid gland, if you want to estimate its size and if the suspected cancer.

Ultrasound provides a clear picture of the size and structure of the thyroid gland. It is indispensable when you need to find a cyst or calcification. But it fails to distinguish benign from malignant.

For examinations of the thyroid gland and radioactive iodine compound used. Since the thyroid gland - the only body that can absorb iodine, the survey is likely to help determine the cause of the problem. The survey found to be areas not normally absorb iodine. 'Cool' spots on the chart indicates that this part absorbs iodine is not as good as the rest of the gland. The reason may be simple dysfunction and malignancy.

"Hot" points show that some areas absorb iodine active than the surrounding tissue. This can occur when toxic multinodular goiter. The probability that the "hot" spots indicate the cancer is very small.

A healthy thyroid gland absorbs 8-35% of the administered dose of iodine in 24 hours. If the rates are higher or lower than it probably indicates the presence of a thyroid disease Thyroid disease - when to start worrying? .

Biopsy

A study of the tissue sample. This is usually the most accurate analysis, especially when it comes to suspected cancer. Thyroid biopsy was performed using a sample of cells to obtain a thin needle. Tissue samples can be obtained surgically. It is a simple procedure. The only difficulty may be associated with inadequate health worker skills: he can take too little tissue for analysis or to obtain a sample of no interest to the physician area. However, this rarely happens.