The thyroid gland is one of the important organs of the human endocrine system. The frequency of the heartbeat, the psychoemotional state, the reproductive function of a woman, and the work of memory depend on the correctness of its functioning.
Location and appearance
The thyroid gland is an organ in the form of a butterfly and consists of two lobes, which are connected by an isthmus (lobes are the wings of a butterfly, and the isthmus is the body of an insect). In five percent of patients, an isthmus of the thyroid gland may be absent altogether.
The isthmus is located at the level of the second or third tracheal ring, separated by the cricoid cartilage.
The size
The size of the isthmus of the thyroid gland is individual for each person and mainly depends on body weight. With overweight in a person, the organ is larger, which is not a pathology. The norm of the isthmus of the thyroid gland is 4-8 mm.
Pathology
The isthmus of the thyroid gland is subject to the same diseases as the thyroid gland itself. It is believed that the disease of the organ takes 2nd place after diabetes. According to statistics, women are 5-8 times more likely to have a thyroid isthmus disease than men. A frequent pathology is the formation of nodes. As a rule, such nodes may not make themselves felt for a long time, which leads to serious health consequences - both the isthmus of the thyroid gland and the work of the whole organism.
A pathological increase in the isthmus in humans leads to impaired functioning of the thyroid gland itself. This may be due to fluctuations in hormonal levels. When slight increases in the organ are observed, then the doctors do not attach much importance to this pathology. And if the size of the isthmus of the thyroid gland increases over time, then this is the first sign of the need to contact an endocrinologist.
Classification of pathology severity
In medicine, a stepwise classification of pathological changes in the isthmus of the thyroid gland is used:
- minor changes, they are almost impossible to see, there is a deformation of the neck muscles;
- with significant changes, the shape of the neck is already changing. The neoplasm does not allow the patient to live normally.
An increase in the size of the isthmus of the thyroid gland can signal the development of diseases such as Bazedov’s disease, Graves’s disease, and malignant tumors.
Reasons for the formation of nodes
The reasons for the appearance of nodes include the following factors:
- Adverse environmental conditions.
- Improper nutrition.
- The use of low-quality water.
- Chronic iodine deficiency in the human body (iodine is a trace element that enters the body with food, but in many regions of our country it is not enough). An insufficient amount of a trace element in the human body leads to a decrease in hormone production. The consequence of iodine deficiency in the body of a pregnant woman can be a miscarriage, and an abnormality in the development of the fetus is also possible. In childhood and adolescence, mental and physical retardation can develop due to iodine deficiency.
- Multiple radiological examinations.
The node of the isthmus of the thyroid gland has a rounded shape and develops in the tissue of the isthmus. This leads to physiological changes in the tissue of the thyroid gland.
Symptoms of the appearance of nodes:
- discomfort in the throat;
- compression of the throat muscles;
- hoarse voice or its complete disappearance;
- the presence of a lump in the throat that cannot be swallowed;
- frequent colds;
- hypertonic disease;
- menstrual irregularities.
Characteristic signs with the development of neoplasms:
- sudden mood swings;
- weakening of the nail plate;
- the skin changes color;
- fluid withdrawal delay;
- increased sweating;
- chills;
- rapid loss or, conversely, weight gain;
- insomnia or drowsiness;
- tachycardia or bradycardia;
- at the slightest load, shortness of breath appears;
- fast fatiguability;
- mental disorders are observed.
Diagnostics
To determine the state of the isthmus of the thyroid gland, the patient must undergo the following diagnostic procedures:
- blood test for thyroid hormones;
- screening using radioactive iodine;
- palpation;
- Ultrasound
- MRI or CT.
The first thing a doctor does when examining the thyroid gland in a patient is to feel the thyroid gland through the neck, since it is impossible to visually see the pathology. Palpation is the easiest way to examine, but not always reliable.
The second method of research is an ultrasound scan, which is more effective and affordable for patients. Ultrasound determines the transverse and vertical size of the isthmus of the thyroid gland, blood flow, and a change in the lymph nodes. This method of examination is convenient because it does not require special preparation, it can be performed by pregnant girls.
MRI and CT are prescribed for a more extensive examination of the patient, if the ultrasound doctor found abnormalities in the isthmus of the thyroid gland.
Treatment
After the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment. If one node was identified and it is small, then the doctor recommends monitoring and passing the examination once every 3 months. It is also recommended to do an ultrasound of the isthmus of the thyroid gland once every six months. If the node is large, then the patient will be prescribed a biopsy, or a puncture will be taken to determine the nature of the tumor.
Node classification
If there is a mismatch in the size of the isthmus of the thyroid gland to normal or nodes appear, then this indicates a pathology. In the latter case, it is necessary to determine the type of nodes:
- Benign tumor - such nodes are found in 92% of patients. If the formation does not create any discomfort to the patient, blood vessels and adjacent tissues are not compressed, in such cases, treatment is not required.
- Follicular tumor - in 85% of cases, such a tumor is benign, and in 15% malignant. In both cases, the patient is recommended surgery, only after histology, it is possible to accurately determine the nature of the tumor.
- Malignant tumor - in such cases only surgery is indicated. During the operation, the endocrinologist surgeon determines the location of the tumor and decides how much volume of the isthmus of the thyroid gland needs to be removed. The next stage of treatment after surgery is prescribed to undergo a course of chemotherapy or a course of radiation. If the pathology is diagnosed at an early stage and treatment has been carried out, then the chance of recovery is high. The most important thing is to distinguish the norm from the pathology in time, so doctors give recommendations to patients who are 45 years old and older, to do an ultrasound scan once a year for prevention.
Disease prevention
Thyroid disease prevention is important at any age and includes following a number of rules:
- spend less time in the sun (especially in the summer months);
- eat foods that contain a large amount of iodine (seaweed, iodized salt, seafood, fish, caviar, walnuts, kiwi);
- lead a healthy lifestyle (smoking depresses the thyroid gland, so it is better to abandon this habit and spend more time outdoors, pregnant women are recommended to take a vitamin complex with iodine content).
If you are at risk of developing the disease, then you should systematically undergo a professional examination.