"Thyroid", the thyroid gland - the name of this endocrine organ has recently been heard. This is due to the sad statistics of the spread of diseases of the thyroid gland. In the same article, we will acquaint you in detail with the importance of this organ, the alarming symptoms of its "malfunctions", the decoding of histological examination and many others.
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is an organ of internal secretion, an important part of the endocrine system of the body. Her task is the synthesis of hormones that support the homeostasis of the body. In particular, it produces iodine-containing elements that are responsible for cell growth and metabolism in the body. But about the functions and hormones of the thyroid gland later.
The mass of the organ is 20-65 g. It depends on the age of the person - varies significantly in size. For example, during puberty, its volume and weight are significantly increased. And by age, iron begins, on the contrary, to decrease. In women, the thyroid gland can be enlarged during pregnancy and 1-2 years after birth.
Organ structure
By structure, the thyroid gland resembles a butterfly spreading its wings. The organ is symmetrical - consists of two lobes and an isthmus between them. The lobes are located on both sides of the trachea, and the isthmus is adjacent to it.
The location and structure of the thyroid gland is different in two sexes:
- In women: slightly larger in size than the male, but also the subcutaneous fat tissue protecting the organ is also more voluminous, which is why the “thyroid” in the female half is less noticeable. Location: front and side of the thyroid and cricoid cartilage.
- In men: located just below the named cartilage, in some cases reaches the sternum.
The role of the thyroid gland in the body
Speaking about the hormones and functions of the thyroid gland, the first thing to do is highlight its most important task: the body produces hormones that ensure normal metabolism, proper heart function and gastrointestinal tract. The activity of the gland itself is affected by the level of iodine in the body.
The thyroid gland also helps the body fulfill the following vital functions:
- Adjustment of heart rate and respiration.
- Ensuring the normal functioning of the nervous system - central and peripheral.
- Maintaining proper body weight.
- The frequency of menstrual cycles.
- Normal body temperature.
- Non-critical blood cholesterol.
- Regulation of oxygen consumption by cells. Therefore, when the organ functions are impaired, a smaller volume of oxygen enters the cells, which is why free radicals begin to accumulate in them, which causes a feeling of constant fatigue, and causes the development of other diseases.
Thyroid hormones
Specifically, the thyroid gland produces three hormones:
- T4 - thyroxine. Its function: absorption of essential fatty acids by the body and fat metabolism. Slowing down the fat metabolism leads to an increase in cholesterol.
- T3 - triiodothyronine. 20% of this hormone in the body is produced directly by the thyroid gland, the rest is derived from T4. Regulation of metabolism and cell activity.
- Calcitonin. The hormone involved in the regulation of the desired proportion of calcium in the body.
Causes of organ diseases
There are several reasons why the disease develops and, accordingly, thyroid gland histology is required:
- Inflammation of the organ itself.
- Inadequate / excessive iodine levels in the body.
- The consequence of medical procedures: surgery, radiation therapy, taking a number of drugs.
- Immune system dysfunctions.
- Pregnancy. Diseases themselves are "fraught" with the fact that they can lead to a miscarriage, premature birth or the birth of a dead baby.
Anxiety symptoms
A typical general symptom of thyroid problems is as follows:
- Lethargy, distraction, fatigue, memory impairment, the ability to concentrate.
- Weight loss.
- Violation of sexual functions, hormonal failure.
- Constipation
- Muscle pain, constantly freezing limbs.
- Brittle nails, dull, falling hair.
- Eyebrows.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Visual enlargement of the organ.
Thyroid Diseases
There are several diseases of varying severity, which can be recognized by including histology of the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism The body produces excessive amounts of hormones. The patient with this disease feels and observes:
- nervousness;
- intolerance to heat;
- constant fatigue;
- sweating
- weight loss;
- itchy skin;
- heart palpitations;
- hair loss.
Hypothyroidism Iron does not produce enough hormones. The disease often goes away in a latent form - the patient has not known about it for years. It reveals its simple form of diagnosis - a screening test for T4. Symptoms are as follows:
- persistent depression;
- fast fatiguability;
- hair loss;
- sensitivity to cold;
- dry skin;
- in women - irregular periods.
Goiter . Swelling of the gland, whose cause is a lack of iodine in the body. Sometimes it is a consequence of an autoimmune disease. The reasons may include the following:
- the appearance of nodules on the gland;
- smoking abuse;
- infections
- hormonal penalties;
- radiation therapy;
- taking medications containing lithium.
Thyroid cancer . It is worth noting that oncology is developing very slowly, follicular and papillary tumors are easily treatable today. Only poorly differentiated tumors are unfavorable for the patient - due to active metastasis. For diagnosis, histology of the thyroid gland node is needed. Symptoms of cancer are as follows:
- A small, painless lump appears on the neck.
- Lymph nodes on the neck increase.
- Constant pain in the neck, throat.
- Labored breathing.
- Hoarse voice.
Diagnostics
If any signs suggesting a thyroid disease appear, you should consult an endocrinologist as soon as possible, who should first prescribe a comprehensive diagnosis, including histological analysis (histology) of the thyroid gland.
Diagnostic methods are divided into physical, laboratory and instrumental. Among them:
- palpation;
- linked immunosorbent assay;
- tomography;
- thermography;
- Ultrasound
- scintigraphy;
- aspiration biopsy;
- tests to determine the level of thyroxine;
- determination of urinary iodine excretion.
We will talk in detail about histological examination.
Thyroid histology
More correctly - a biopsy with histological studies. This analysis allows you to find out if a thyroid tumor is malignant. It is prescribed by an endocrinologist when nodes or cysts on an organ are found more than 1 cm in diameter.
If the formation is malignant, then the doctor prescribes surgery for the patient. However, this method of research is used not only in the diagnosis, but also during surgery - so that the surgeon quickly determines where exactly the malignant neoplasm is. Histology of the thyroid gland after surgery is carried out - is everything necessary removed and whether a new surgical intervention is needed.
How does histology go?
For research, a histological apparatus is taken from a patient - a sample of thyroid cells. How does thyroid histology go? The procedure is performed by aspiration fine-needle biopsy, under the control of an ultrasound apparatus. The procedure is painless, takes 2-5 seconds.
Using a syringe with an ultra-thin needle, the doctor makes a puncture in the area of the gland and removes the required amount of sample for examination. Further, the material is examined without the participation of the patient.
Deciphering the results
Of course, the interpretation of the conclusion of a histological examination is the prerogative of an experienced specialist. But a preliminary approximate interpretation of the results of histology of the thyroid gland is possible for the patient:
- Nodular goiter - a reason to calm down. This means that the education is benign. The accuracy of this diagnosis is 98%.
- "Follicular epithelium", "colloid" - we are also talking about a benign tumor. Accuracy - 95%.
- “A node with symptoms of proliferation of follicular epithelium, atypia” or “difficulty with differentiation of carcinoma and adenoma” - we are talking about follicular neoplasia. The likelihood of malignancy is 50%.
- “Malignancy cannot be ruled out” is a 70% chance of having cancer cells.
- "Suspected carcinoma" is a 90% chance of cancer.
- Just the word "carcinoma" - almost 100% chance of cancer of the gland, the inevitability of surgery.
In any case, there is no need to panic: there is a high probability that a specialist could have made a mistake during the study. If the conclusion indicates the presence of a malignant tumor, the endocrinologist usually directs the patient to retake a histology.
The treatment of the thyroid gland consists mainly of drug hormone therapy. With its failure, surgical intervention is prescribed, the modern version of which allows it to be transferred perfectly. Also, removal of the gland or its part, radiation therapy is prescribed for cancer lesions of the body.