Thyroid diseases

Deficiency (hypothyroidism)

Many people develop the opposite situation. When iodine intake is less than 100 mcg per day, the thyroid gland cannot produce enough hormones. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• lethargy, apathy, forgetfulness;

• increase in body weight, to dense mucous edema (myxedema);

• decrease in body temperature to 36 degrees and below;

• feeling of chronic fatigue;

• skin pale, dry and cold;

• muscle pain, cramps;

• constipation;

• heart rate in the region of 60 or less per minute.

• The hair also becomes thinner, and sections of the eyebrows may fall out.

Diagnostics

Any disease of the thyroid gland leads to serious complications. Thus, hypothyroidism in an infant can lead to irreversible intellectual impairment. At the same time, it is quite possible to protect yourself from such situations.

You should contact the clinic at the slightest suspicion of thyroid dysfunction. Universum clinic specialists will conduct a full examination and help establish the correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis of thyroid diseases includes:

• medical interview;

• examination of the patient;

• blood tests for thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4);

• adrenal function testing;

• Ultrasound of the anterior surface of the neck, including Doppler ultrasound;

• ECG, Holter monitoring, echocardiography;;

• blood glucose level;

• X-ray examinations, CT scan of the head;

• MRI of the neck and head.

The first conclusions can be drawn based on the results of the inspection. The doctor can detect an enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter) and determine its degree (there are five in total).

Possible diagnoses

A thorough examination will reveal any abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the thyroid gland. The diagnosis may include:

• nodular goiter, there are small compactions in the parenchyma of the organ;

• diffuse goiter - a uniform increase in the size of the gland lobules;

• thyrotoxicosis - hyperfunction, can occur both against the background of goiter and with normal organ sizes;

• hypothyroidism – weakening of functional activity, can also be combined with goiter (endemic);

• tumors, benign or malignant, hormone-active or intact;

Detailed diagnosis is a necessity. This is the only way to choose the optimal treatment approach.

Treatment

It all depends on the diagnosis. In case of nodular hormonally intact goiter, observation can be continued and a re-examination after a few months can be recommended. A single nodule can exist for years and not affect health.

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism require conservative therapy. Tumors must be removed.

Treatment of the thyroid gland is designed to eliminate the cause of hyper or hypofunction of the organ and remove the symptoms of the disease.

For hyperthyroidism the following may be prescribed:

• anti-inflammatory;

• cytostatics;

• beta-blockers;

• sedatives;

• specific thyreostatics;

• multivitamins;

• drugs to normalize calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

To treat hypothyroidism, supplements with iodine, copper, or ready-made thyroxine preparations are prescribed. The dose is selected for each patient individually.

Surgical treatment

If therapeutic treatment is ineffective or if there is reason to suspect a malignant disease of the thyroid gland, surgery is performed to remove part of the organ or a complete thyroidectomy. Then the person is prescribed thyroxine medications on an ongoing basis, which allow him to maintain health and an acceptable quality of life.

Prevention

Based on the exclusion of risk factors. To prevent thyroid diseases you need:

• give up bad habits, smoking;
• protect the front surface of the neck and head from injury;
• avoid stress;
• ensure healthy and restful sleep;
• undergo an ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland annually, and, if necessary, be tested for thyrotropin, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine.

An affordable way to prevent many cases of thyroid disease is to take iodine supplements.

To choose the optimal drug and dosage, it is recommended to consult an endocrinologist. This is especially important for nursing mothers and newborn babies: iodine supplements will help the child’s brain develop properly.

Rehabilitation and nutrition

For people who have a diseased thyroid gland, treatment by an endocrinologist helps to fully compensate for impaired thyroid function. As a rule, rehabilitation is not required.

Diet can help with hypothyroidism: iodine supplements, seaweed and fresh seafood. A good way is to use iodized salt. However, we must remember that iodine is a volatile halogen. Dissipates quickly from open packaging and hot dishes. Iodized salt will give the best effect in salads and if you add it to dishes immediately before eating.

With thyrotoxicosis, on the contrary: you need to remove from the menu all foods that serve as a source of iodine.

Sources

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2. Spencer CA. Laboratory Thyroid Tests: A Historical Perspective. Thyroid. 2023 Apr;33(4):407-419. doi: 10.1089/thy.2022.0397. PMID: 37037032.

3. Farooqi S, Raj S, Koyfman A, Long B. High risk and low prevalence diseases: Thyroid storm. Am J Emerg Med. 2023 Mar 27;69:127-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.03.035. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37104908.

4. Urgatz B, Razvi S. Subclinical hypothyroidism, outcomes and management guidelines: a narrative review and update of recent literature. Curr Med Res Opin. 2023 Mar;39(3):351-365. doi: 10.1080/03007995.2023.2165811. Epub 2023 Jan 18. PMID: 36632720.

5. Bourcier S et al. Critically ill severe hypothyroidism: a retrospective multicenter cohort study. Ann Intensive Care. 2023 Mar 9;13(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s13613-023-01112-1. PMID: 36892784; PMCID: PMC9998819.