Normal thyroid volume: sizes, contours, ultrasound diagnostics

The thyroid gland performs very important functions in the body. Violation of the functionality of the organ leads to the development of serious diseases. Most pathologies are asymptomatic for a rather long time, for a long time the patient does not know about the presence of the disease. It can be recognized at an early stage using ultrasound diagnostics. Conclusions about the condition are made based on the parameters of the body, its structure, size, volume. The latter indicator is especially important. The normal thyroid volume in men and women is different. When decoding the results, the age of the patient, as well as gender, weight, height and individual characteristics of his body, are also taken into account.

What is the thyroid gland and what are its functions

The thyroid gland is an endocrine unpaired organ of internal secretion. The gland is located on the front of the neck. It resembles a butterfly in shape and consists of two unequal shares. The normal volume of the thyroid gland is determined by their size.

It performs a number of important functions in the body. It:

1. The formation and release of hormones into the blood.
2. Regulation and stimulation of human growth and development (both physical and mental).
3. Orthogenesis of tissues.
4. Activation of various metabolic processes in the body.
5. Absorption and accumulation of iodine.

In which cases an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is prescribed

Ultrasound is a safe and fairly informative method for examining the thyroid gland. It is included in the list of regular scheduled inspections. The following are indications for unscheduled diagnosis:

1. Visual increase in the size of the neck at the location of the endocrine gland.
2. In men and women, the volume of the thyroid gland is normal, but there is discomfort and pain when swallowing.
3. General weakness.
4. Chronic insomnia or drowsiness.
5. Frequent headaches.
6. Increased dry skin, brittle nails and hair.
7. Tendency to inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract.
8. In men, a decrease in libido, a violation of potency.
9. Reception of hormones.

Mandatory is the passage of an ultrasound with the aim of prevention in the following cases:

1. Congenital thyroid disease.
2. Pregnancy planning.
3. Living or working in places with adverse environmental conditions.

Defined Parameters

During the diagnosis, the patient is in a prone position. This situation helps the patient to relax, and the specialist has free access to the organ. Using ultrasound, the following parameters are determined:

1. Dimensions of the left and right lobes, isthmus.
2. The contours of the body.
3. Fabric structure.
4. Echogenicity.
5. Thyroid volume. When calculating the parameter, the sizes of the right and left lobes are taken into account. The norm of the thyroid gland volume is calculated independently by an ultrasound machine according to a certain formula. The specialist puts a linear transducer on the surface of the neck at the location of the endocrine organ. After the image is fixed on the screen, visually determine the width and thickness of the shares and measure.

What is the normal thyroid volume in men

In representatives of the stronger sex, iron has a different structure than in women. But the diagnosis is the same for everyone. The location of the thyroid gland depends on age. In boys, the organ is high enough. As the man grows older, the iron goes down a little, and sometimes from the front of the neck it goes into the chest cavity.

Due to the anatomical features of the stronger sex, pathology is quickly diagnosed by certain signs. Due to the small amount of subcutaneous fatty tissue on the neck, any deviations from the normal volume of the thyroid gland in men immediately become noticeable. This is a fairly significant reason that the stronger sex is less likely to suffer from advanced forms of endocrine diseases.

A volume of up to 25 ml in men is considered normal. But all people are different, therefore, for an objective assessment, when determining the norm, age and body weight are taken into account. The second indicator is more important because overweight is a symptom of most endocrine diseases.

A decrease or increase in indicators by 0.5 - 1 cm³ is not a deviation. But even if the thyroid gland is larger or smaller in volume, the final diagnosis is made on the basis of all indicators. Also, when making a conclusion, the results of previous studies are important so that you can compare the difference in performance.

What is the normal thyroid volume in women

Representatives of the weaker sex are more often than men concerned about problems with the endocrine organ. Anatomically, women are arranged so that the organ is almost invisibly outwardly. Moreover, visual abnormalities are observed when endocrine pathologies begin to progress.

The first signs of impaired thyroid function are not changes in its parameters, but general unexpressed mental and reproductive system disorders. The reasons for the examination may be the following data from the anamnesis and physical examination:

1. On palpation, an increase in the organ is determined.
2. Mild hyperemia of the skin of the neck at the location of the thyroid gland is noted.
3. Malaise, a sharp breakdown.
4. Frequent unreasonable mood swings.
5. Menstrual irregularities. Moreover, they occur in the absence of gynecological diseases or STDs.

Such symptoms may indicate a disorder in the gland. In such cases, an examination is necessary. When making a diagnosis, all parameters are taken into account, changes in size are important.

As in men, in women the normal thyroid volume depends on age. Calculation, by the way, can be done independently, having on hand the results of echogenic diagnostics. To do this, multiply the data for length, width and height, and multiply the result by 0.479. But by and large, this occupation is meaningless, since only a doctor can determine which numbers are the norm.

The norm of thyroid volume in women is slightly different from the norm in men.

In adolescent girls and pregnant women, the volume of the endocrine gland increases, which is normal.

Norms in children

Gland embryo occurs at the 4th week of fetal development. Iron in the form of protrusion appears between I and II pairs of gill pockets. According to the morphological structure, protrusion is an epithelial cord, which at the initial stage is a thyroid duct. Subsequently, the right and left thyroid lobes develop from the cords.

The weight of the endocrine gland of the newborn is on average 1 - 2 g. Subsequently, the normal parameters of the organ are calculated depending on a number of conditions:

1. Age.
2. Floor.
3. Body weight and height.
4. Chest circumference on exhalation.
5. The degree of puberty.

The normal thyroid volume in children is presented in the table. WHO recommends taking into account the gender of the child, his height and weight as the main criteria. The volume is calculated by the formula PPT (m²) = √ ((BEC + POCT) / 3600).

The thyroid volume in boys should normally be 2.6 - 15.8, and in girls 2.5 - 15.6 ml.

Sizes, contours, fabric structure

When decoding ultrasound, all indicators are taken into account, however, for certain diseases, something is more or less focused on.

Initially, pay attention to the location of the gland, it should be in the lower part of the neck. Its normal sizes:

1. Length - 2.5 - 4 cm.
2. Height - 1.5 - 2 cm.
3. Width - 1.5 - 2.0 cm.

Without these parameters, it is not possible to calculate the normal thyroid volume.

Contours should be clear. In appearance, it resembles a butterfly: two small sections connected by a thin strip. The lack of structure indicates thyroid dysfunction. Blurred outlines may indicate the formation of inflammation or be a sign of a malignant neoplasm.

The tissue structure in the normal state is homogeneous, finely meshed, the cell sizes do not exceed 1 mm and do not particularly differ in color. A granularity resembling a honeycomb is a symptom of autoimmune thyroiditis or toxic goiter.

Echogenicity

Echogenicity is a reflection of high-frequency waves from thyroid tissue. This property reflects on the monitor sections of it with varying degrees of dimming. Based on the intensity of the tone, 4 types of echogenicity are distinguished.

1. Isoechogenic (normal).
2. Hypoechoic (reduced) formations indicate an increase in the hydrophilicity of individual sites or the entire organ and the presence of malignant cells.
3. Hyperachogenic formations (or inclusions) indicate an increased acoustic density. A similar phenomenon may be associated with the deposition of calcifications in the tissues of the organ.
4. Anechoic formations appear as dark spots. The reason for their appearance may be pseudocysts, cysts, nodes, malignant neoplasms.

Causes of Gland Augmentation

The normal thyroid volume in women is on average 18.1 ml, in men - 25.0 ml. An increase in parameters indicates organ cell hyperplasia. There are several reasons for the growth of cells:

1. Iodine deficiency. The condition occurs due to malnutrition or living in places where iodine deficiency is observed.
2. The use of medications that disrupt the thyroid gland: fluoride or lithium-containing drugs, oral contraceptives, interferons.
3. Autoimmune organ diseases.
4. Disruption of the pituitary and hypothalamus due to the occurrence of tumors, infectious inflammatory processes in the brain, injuries, hemorrhages.
5. The presence of severe infectious pathologies.

Why is the thyroid gland reduced?

Pathological conditions include not only an increase, but also a decrease in the normal volumes of the thyroid gland. Most often, downward changes are observed in children and older people. But if in the latter this process is associated with age-related features, then in babies this condition occurs for the following reasons:

1. Lack of iodine in the mother during the period of gestation.
2. Presence of bad habits during pregnancy.
3. Violation of the functionality of the endocrine organ during lactation, as a result of which insufficient amount of iodine is secreted with milk.

In adults, gland malnutrition develops as a result of the following reasons:

1. Improper use of radioactive iodine.
2. Benign and malignant neoplasia.
3. Genetic predisposition to thyroid disease.
4. Radiation exposure.
5. Age-related changes.
6. Bad habits, including smoking and frequent drinking.

How to prepare for an ultrasound diagnosis

If the patient has a normal thyroid volume, then this usually indicates the absence of pathologies. Morphological changes are a long process and factors such as eating or smoking on the eve of the study do not affect the results of the examination.

Special preparation for ultrasound is not required. The only thing to consider is if the patient uses drugs that affect the functionality of the gland. It is necessary to warn the doctor about this. Perhaps the drugs will need to be canceled or temporarily postponed.

You can also bring a towel under your neck and napkins to remove gel from your neck.

How to find out the size of the endocrine gland at home

It is impossible to determine the exact dimensions of an organ without special equipment. Most people are poorly versed in anatomy and do not even know where the thyroid gland is located, not to mention its size. You can find out only by ultrasound the normal volume of the thyroid gland. It is necessary to undergo an examination regularly, because this is one of the most effective ways to prevent endocrine diseases.