Thyroid problems capture a significant amount of the world's population. There are many reasons for this, but the so-called antithyroid drugs also help to identify the ailments caused by the increased production of hormones by the thyroid gland. What are these funds, how do they help the body when applied?
Thyroid problems
The thyroid gland is a word familiar to everyone, and many even know where it is located - in the lower parts of the larynx. But what is its role for the human body? The thyroid gland is a part of the complex endocrine system, which is responsible for all the processes that occur in the body. The thyroid gland, in particular, produces two important hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which are involved in metabolic processes, in the processes of growth and development of tissues and organs. Thyroid cells also produce thyroacetelonin - a hormone responsible for calcium-phosphorus metabolism, and therefore for the condition of human bones and teeth.
Unnecessary activity
It would seem that since the thyroid gland produces such significant hormones, the more active it is, the better it should be, all processes will go faster and stronger. But in reality, this is not so at all. Nature has laid the balance of everything that is in it, and the human endocrine system in particular. If the thyroid gland works too actively, then this badly affects the state of the body, however, the lack of production of thyroid hormones is also fraught with many problems. Active thyroid activity causes hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis.
What does antithyroid mean?
If the thyroid gland is too active, then antithyroid drugs help fight this . From the name of these medicines it is clear that they work against - against the thyroid gland. Such funds are also called thyreostatics. Medications included in the group of antithyroid drugs can normalize the activity of the thyroid gland, reducing its activity, and therefore reduce the production of thyroid hormones.
Classification of antithyroid drugs
Medical drugs that help fight the excessive activity of the thyroid gland are called "antithyroid drugs." Their classification is accepted around the world and contains three groups of drugs that serve as antagonists of thyroid hormones:
- drugs that contribute to the disruption of the production of active iodine in the thyroid gland;
- drugs that reduce the capture of iodine by the epithelial cells of the thyroid gland;
- drugs that destroy iodine in the thyroid gland.
All drugs have different chemical structures, and the mode of action of the drug depends on it.
Iodine as a medicine
Thyroid hormones are synthesized by the epithelial cells of the thyroid gland, which capture iodine. If you add this substance to the human body, then there comes a decrease in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. There is also a violation of the ability of the gland to absorb iodine in the blood. Pharmaceuticals offers two types of iodine preparations that are involved in lowering the activity of the thyroid gland:
- inorganic iodine - as a chemical natural element;
- organic iodine as synthesized diiodotyrosine - a component of thyroglobulin - a specific protein of the thyroid gland itself.
The drug of organic origin has an antithyroid property, which is actively used mainly in the preoperative period of patients with diffuse goiter, as well as to prevent complications in the postoperative period. Many of these drugs contain levothyroxine sodium as the active ingredient . Inorganic iodine is prescribed not only for the treatment of thyroid hyperactivity, but also as a prophylactic. Despite the apparent safety, and ithyroid drugs with iodine, however, like any other medicines, should be taken only as directed by a doctor.
Thiourea, its derivatives and hyperthyroidism
Medicines that help reduce the excessive productivity of the thyroid gland, the so-called antithyroid drugs, can be divided into two types - natural, natural, substances such as iodine, and synthetic products obtained as a result of chemical synthesis processes. The latter include thiourea and its derivatives propylthiouracil, 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole, 2-carboethoxymercapto-1-methylimidazole, 6-methylthiouracil. A synthetic antithyroid drug based on thiourea derivatives can reduce the exchange of iodine in the thyroid gland by reducing the metabolic processes of iodine in the thyroid gland itself.
What drugs help with thyroid hyperactivity?
Thiourea derivatives and iodine are part of the popular drugs used as antithyroid drugs. What synthetic drug has antithyroid properties? The names of these funds are different, but the main active substances are:
- thiamazole;
- propylthiouracil.
Tiamazole reduces the metabolic processes of iodine in the thyroid gland, thereby reducing its activity. This chemical substance is the basis of such drugs as Merkazolil, Tyrozol, Tiamzol, Metizol.
Propylthiouracil suppresses the transformation of iodine in the thyroid gland, thereby determining its relationship to a group called antithyroid drugs. Propylthiouracil -based drugs are most often prescribed for use in Western Europe. In our country, the only drug on the basis of propylthiouracil - "Propitsil" is sold in the pharmacy network.
Since drugs for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis have numerous side effects in relation to the cardiovascular, nervous system, as well as the liver, concomitant drugs are prescribed for use in combination with these drugs.
In the treatment of some diseases of the thyroid gland, radioactive iodine is used, which, when admitted to the patient’s body, is captured by the cells of the thyroid gland and destructively affects it, reducing activity and increased production of hormones. This drug gives the greatest positive result only after complete removal of the thyroid gland - thyroidectomy, since the radioactive particles finally destroy the remaining cells of the organ. However, many patients with hyperactivity of the thyroid gland are prescribed drugs of radioactive iodine to normalize the condition.
Only as intended!
Thyroid diseases are determined only by a set of diagnostic methods - analyzes, ultrasound, MRI or CT. To diagnose thyroid disease only at the medical history and from the words of the patient is impossible! But when the problem is identified, a competent doctor can prescribe the right drug, taking into account all specific factors. All drugs for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis caused by increased thyroid gland productivity have numerous side effects and application features. For example, the opposite effect may occur when a drug that helps reduce the absorption of iodine by the tissues of the thyroid gland, after a while becomes a catalyst for its activity to produce the missing amount of hormones. The disease is back. The treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis is always individual. When an accurate diagnosis is made, in no case should you self-medicate. Only an adequately selected therapy will exclude surgical intervention and lifelong use of special hormonal agents.
Antithyroid drugs are not honorary exhibits of pharmacy display cases, but they are the most important means in maintaining the health and even life of numerous patients with thyroid hyperactivity.