What is the thyroid gland? The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck just below the center of the throat. It is part of a complex network of glands called the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for coordinating many activities in the human body. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the metabolism of the human body.
What problems can the thyroid cause? When the thyroid produces too much hormone (called hyperthyroidism) or not enough (called hypothyroidism), a variety of problems can occur. This can cause distressing symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, weight loss, weight gain. Four common problems related to the thyroid gland are Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland), and thyroid nodules. Hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland becomes overactive. It produces too much thyroid hormone. As a result, many body functions can be accelerated. Hyperthyroidism affects 1 to 3% of people and is more common in women. Causes of hyperthyroidism: Graves' disease. This disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about 70% of people with an overactive thyroid gland. Thyroid nodules. This is a condition called toxic nodular goiter or multinodular goiter – and it can also cause the thyroid gland to overproduce its own hormones. Conditions such as inflammation of the thyroid gland, excessive iodine intake, taking too many thyroid hormone medications, non-cancerous pituitary tumor, etc. What are the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism? Excessive production of thyroid hormones can cause a variety of symptoms. Anxiety, increased nervousness, increased heart rate, irritability, sweating, sleep disturbances, thinning of the skin, brittle hair and nails, muscle weakness, weight loss, increased appetite, increased bowel movements, "exploding" eyes (with Graves' disease) may occur. Diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism Can diagnose hyperthyroidism by performing tests that measure the amount of thyroid hormones or the effectiveness of the thyroid gland. A blood test measures the amount of thyroid hormone and thyroid - stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. The pineal gland, also known as the pituitary gland, releases TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce its own hormones. High thyroxine and low TSH levels may indicate that your thyroid is overactive. Treatment of hyperthyroidism is based on blocking the production of thyroid hormones or reducing the thyroid gland itself. Antithyroid drugs can prevent the production of thyroid hormones and reduce symptoms. Beta blockers can help reduce symptoms. Radioactive iodine therapy. A high dose of radioactive iodine damages the thyroid gland. When the thyroid absorbs iodine, it also attracts radioactive iodine, which damages the gland. Surgery. Can be done to remove the thyroid gland. This can return the normal limits of the hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. However, both radioactive iodine treatment and surgery cause hypothyroidism, and then daily thyroid hormones are required. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. It is a condition or disease where the thyroid gland is underactive and cannot produce enough of its own hormones. As a result, some functions of the human body can slow down. Causes of hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is often caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, surgery to remove the thyroid gland, or damage from radiation therapy. It can also be caused by conditions such as thyroiditis, congenital hypothyroidism (which means you can be born with it), iodine deficiency, pituitary or hypothalamic disorders, medications, including heart medications, cancer medications, and medications for bipolar disorder. Certain diseases such as celiac disease, type 1 or 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus can increase the likelihood of developing hypothyroidism. In the United States, about 4.3% of people age 12 and older have it. Symptoms of hypothyroidism Too little thyroid hormone production causes symptoms such as fatigue, dry skin and hair, increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, memory problems, constipation, depression, weight gain, weakness, muscle and joint pain, slow heart rate, heavy and irregular periods, fertility problems and even coma. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed with blood tests and an ultrasound or contrast X-ray using radioactive iodine to check thyroid function. The doctor does blood tests to measure TSH and thyroid hormone levels. High TSH levels and low thyroxine levels may indicate an underactive thyroid. These levels may also indicate that your pituitary gland is releasing more TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce its own hormone. Treatment of hypothyroidism The main treatment for hypothyroidism is the use of thyroid hormone pills. It is important to choose the right dose, because too much thyroid hormone can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Pregnant women with hypothyroidism may need higher or more frequent doses during pregnancy. The most common thyroid diseases Hashimoto's thyroiditis is also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It can occur at any age, but is most common in middle-aged women. This condition occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and slowly destroys the thyroid gland and its ability to produce hormones. Some people with a mild form of Hashimoto's thyroiditis may not have any obvious symptoms. The condition can remain stable for years, and symptoms are often subtle. They are also non-specific, meaning they mimic the symptoms of many other conditions. Symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Common symptoms may include frequent fatigue, depression, constipation, easy weight gain, dry skin and dry, thinning hair, paleness, puffy face, heavy and irregular periods, cold intolerance, enlargement of the thyroid gland itself, or goiter. Diagnosis and treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A TSH level test is often the first step in screening for any type of thyroid disorder. Your doctor may order a blood test to check for elevated TSH levels and low thyroid hormone (T3 or T4) levels if you experience some of the symptoms listed above. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder, so a blood test will also show abnormal antibodies that can attack the thyroid gland. There is no known cure for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hormone replacement drugs are often used to increase thyroid hormone levels or decrease TSH levels. This can help relieve the symptoms of the disease. The condition is usually diagnosed at an early stage and can remain stable for years as it progresses slowly. Graves' disease was named after the doctor who first described it more than 150 years ago. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about 1 in 200 people. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. As a result, the thyroid gland can overproduce hormones responsible for regulating metabolism. Symptoms of Graves' disease may include anxiety, irritability, fatigue, hand tremors, increased or irregular heart rate, excessive sweating, unexpected weight loss, trouble sleeping, diarrhea or frequent bowel movements, changes in menstrual cycle, goiter. You may also experience other symptoms of Graves' disease. This can include puffy eyes and thickened and reddened skin, usually on the lower legs and upper part of the foot. Diagnosis and treatment of Graves' disease. Usually diagnoses Graves' disease by noticing symptoms such as an enlarged thyroid gland (felt by palpation), puffy eyes, a fast pulse, and high blood pressure. Blood tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will usually order blood tests to check for high T4 and low TSH, both of which can be signs of Graves' disease. A radioactive iodine uptake test may also be done to measure how quickly the thyroid gland absorbs iodine. High iodine absorption can be a sign of Graves' disease. There is no treatment to stop the immune system from attacking the thyroid gland and its overproduction of hormones. However, the symptoms of Graves' disease can be controlled by combining . Can be treated to relieve symptoms with: • Beta blockers; help control a fast heart rate, anxiety, and sweating. • Antithyroid drugs; prevent the thyroid gland from producing too much hormone. • Radioactive iodine; destroys all or part of the thyroid gland. • Surgery; remove the thyroid gland is a permanent option if you cannot tolerate thyroid medication or radioactive iodine. Successful treatment of hyperthyroidism usually results in hypothyroidism. If you have hypothyroidism, you will usually need to take hormone replacement medications from then on. If left untreated, Graves' disease can lead to heart problems and brittle bones. Goiter A goiter is a non-cancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland. The most common cause of goiter worldwide is iodine deficiency in the diet. It is estimated that 15.8 percent of the population worldwide has goiter. However, this percentage varies and is more common in areas with severe iodine deficiency. However, not all cases of goiter are caused by iodine deficiency. A goiter can also be caused by Graves' disease, congenital hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and pituitary tumors. Goiter is more common in women and people over 40 years old. Other risk factors may include a family history of illness, use of certain medications, pregnancy, and exposure to radiation. Symptoms of goiter. If the goiter is not large, there may be no symptoms. If it grows large enough, symptoms such as neck swelling or tightness, difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing or wheezing, and hoarseness may occur. Diagnosis and treatment of goiter. A goiter can be diagnosed with diagnostic tests used to diagnose hyperthyroidism. During a routine physical exam, your doctor can feel it in the neck area. Blood tests will show the levels of thyroid hormone, TSH and antibodies in the blood. This information will be used to diagnose thyroid disorders, which are often the cause of goiter. It can be checked by ultrasound swelling or nodules in the thyroid gland. A goiter is usually treated only when it becomes severe enough. Treatment usually coincides with hyperthyroidism, as goiter is often a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Goiter is often associated with well-treated thyroid disorders such as Graves' disease. Radioactive iodine therapy to shrink the thyroid or surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid may be used. Although goiter is usually not a cause for concern, it can cause serious problems if left untreated. One of them is difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Thyroid nodules Thyroid nodules are growths that form on or in the thyroid gland. In 2015 A study that divided populations into men and women reported that about 1 percent of men and 5 percent of women living in iodine-sufficient countries have thyroid nodules that are large enough to be palpable. Women have thyroid nodules about 4 times more often than men, and thyroid cancer is twice as common in men as in women, about 8% and 4%, respectively. As with other thyroid-related problems, the risk of nodules increases with age. Causes of thyroid nodules. The causes are not always known, but may include iodine deficiency and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Nodules can be solid or filled with fluid. Most nodules are benign, but in rare cases they can be cancerous. Most thyroid nodules do not cause any symptoms. But if they grow large enough, they can cause neck swelling and difficulty breathing and swallowing, pain and goiter. Symptoms of thyroid nodules. Some nodules produce thyroid hormone, causing abnormally high levels in the blood. When this happens, the symptoms are similar to those of hyperthyroidism such as high pulse rate, nervousness, increased appetite, weight loss, moist skin. On the other hand, if the nodules do not produce too much thyroid hormone or hypothyroidism, the symptoms may be slightly different such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, increased sensitivity to cold temperatures. Thyroid nodules that do not produce too much thyroid hormone and are not associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis do not cause these symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules. Nodules can be detected during a routine physical examination. However, your doctor will likely do additional tests (ultrasound, CT scan, biopsy) to confirm. Benign thyroid nodules are usually not life-threatening and usually do not require treatment. Often nothing is done to remove the nodule if it does not change over time. If the nodule is growing, your doctor may do another biopsy and recommend radioactive iodine. Cancerous nodules are quite rare. Only about 4 to 6.5 % of thyroid nodules are caused by thyroid cancer. Doctor's the recommended treatment may vary depending on the type of tumor. Treatment options for cancerous thyroid nodules: • Surgery removal of the thyroid is usually the treatment of choice. • Radioactive iodine can also be used after surgery, depending on the risk of recurrence. • Radiation therapy is sometimes used with or without surgery. External beam radiation therapy may be used if you have large disease classified as Hodgkin's lymphoma. • Chemotherapy is very rarely needed if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Prevention of thyroid dysfunction In most cases, you cannot avoid hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. As an example, hyperthyroidism is often caused by Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented. You can cause hyperthyroidism by taking too much thyroid hormone. If you are prescribed thyroid hormone, be sure to take the correct dose. In rare cases, the thyroid gland can become overactive if you eat too many foods that contain iodine, such as table (especially iodized) salt, fish, and seaweed. Although you may not be able to prevent thyroid disease, you can prevent complications by getting an early diagnosis and following a treatment plan. How to maintain a healthy thyroid While you can't prevent all thyroid disorders, you can adopt certain thyroid-friendly diets that can help your thyroid function at its best. Here are some tips for improving thyroid health: Try to limit "highly processed" foods. Researchers have linked a diet high in highly processed foods to a higher risk of subclinical hyperthyroidism, a degree of hyperthyroidism that may not yet be severe enough to cause specific symptoms. Examples of highly processed foods include frozen meals, hot dogs, and some packaged foods such as cookies, cakes, or other snacks. These foods usually contain extracts that add sugar, salt, or fat to improve flavor. Reducing the amount of food you eat (or avoiding these foods altogether) can reduce your risk of thyroid dysfunction. Get enough iron from your diet. Your body needs iron to make thyroid hormone. If you are deficient in iron, you may be at a higher risk of hypothyroidism. Medicines to treat hypothyroidism may also not work if you have low iron. Getting enough iron in your daily diet can be an important step. Foods that contain iron. Iron-fortified foods such as grains, cereals, poultry, red meat, seafood. If you're having trouble incorporating iron-rich foods into your daily diet, talk to your doctor to see if taking an iron supplement might help. Consider taking a selenium supplement. Selenium is a micronutrient that your body needs to activate thyroid hormone. Studies have shown a link between low selenium levels and an increased risk of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and goiter. You can increase your selenium levels by eating more meat, seafood, or whole grains. However, some people may need a supplement to increase their selenium levels. Talk to your doctor about what can help. When to see a doctor If you feel or feel a lump or lump on either side of your larynx (voice box), weight loss or gain that cannot be explained by changes in diet or activity, feeling very hot or cold all the time, experiencing mood changes such as depression, anxiety or nervousness, feeling very tired without a clear reason, you should consult a doctor.
