A condition in which excessive synthesis of thyroid hormones occurs is called thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism. As a result, all processes for which the thyroid gland is responsible are accelerated, and this significantly increases the load on the individual's body. The article will examine the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of thyrotoxicosis in men, women, children.
general information
In both sexes, the development of thyrotoxicosis is possible against the background of the pathology of the pituitary gland or the endocrine gland itself, which affects metabolic processes, affects bone and muscle tissue, cardiac functions, regulates cholesterol in the bloodstream and much more. In connection with the forcing of the processes occurring in the body, a person begins to quickly lose weight, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, there is increased sweating, irritability.
The effectiveness of therapy depends on the timely detection of pathology. Timely treatment started will allow faster normalization of thyroid function and reduce the risk of serious consequences and complications. Otherwise, disorders of the cardiovascular system develop, the bone system is affected, which ultimately leads to a thyrotoxic crisis.
Classification
The symptoms and treatment of thyrotoxicosis of the thyroid gland depend on the causes that led to the disease. There are hyperthyroidism:
- Primary. A provoking factor in this case is pathological changes in the gland itself. The development of the disease occurs against the background of toxic adenoma, nodular goiter, taking iodine-containing drugs in large quantities.
- Secondary. A predisposing factor is the pathology of the pituitary gland, as a result of which the synthesis of thyroid-stimulating hormone increases.
- Tertiary. It develops when the hypothalamus fails, which is preceded by neurosis.
Diagnose several forms of thyrotoxicosis:
- Subclinical. Symptoms are absent or barely expressed. Therefore, it is quite difficult to identify. TSH levels are low, and triiodothyronine and thyroxine are normal.
- Complicated. It is accompanied by concomitant pathologies: renal and heart failure, atrial fibrillation, psychosis, severe weight loss.
- Manifest or explicit. In this case, the clinic is classic. A significant decrease in the level of TSH is observed, and the concentration of triiodothyronine and thyroxine is overestimated.
Signs of the disease
Excessive content of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) affects many systems and organs, causing various changes in the individual’s body. The main symptoms of thyrotoxicosis include the following:
- increased sweating;
- warm and moist dermis to the touch;
- peeling of nails, which is accompanied by pain;
- hair and skin are thinning;
- the pressure rises;
- the heart begins to beat irregularly;
- heart contractions become more frequent;
- swelling of the eyelids;
- the eyeball protrudes;
- shortness of breath appears;
- difficulty breathing;
- physical activity is reduced;
- weight is reduced;
- vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, diarrhea are observed;
- urine output increases;
- fear, anxiety, nervousness appear;
- bad sleep;
- speech becomes very fast;
- excitability is observed;
- in women, the menstrual cycle is violated, fainting, fever is possible.
External symptoms of thyroid toxicosis of the thyroid gland are of great importance in diagnosing the disease, however, instrumental and laboratory research methods are mandatory.
Stages of thyrotoxicosis
Depending on the severity of the pathology, the following stages are distinguished:
- Easy. Symptoms are not expressed. The patient is disturbed by insomnia, headache, irritability and nervousness.
- Medium. The patient begins to lose weight fairly quickly, the heartbeat intensifies, and shortness of breath appears.
- Heavy. Intoxication and severe depletion of the individual's body are observed, the work of vital organs and systems is impaired.
Eye symptoms for thyrotoxicosis
Separately, eye signs characteristic of this pathology are distinguished:
- tremor of the eyelids occurs when the eyes are slightly covered;
- rare blinking;
- eyeballs bulging out;
- upper eyelids swell;
- palpebral fissures quite wide;
- when moving with eyes, the outer eyelid is late;
- the eyeball moves with the pupil;
- the skin in the eyelids darkens;
- sclera are exposed due to the displacement of the eyelids to the upper or lower edge of the orbit;
- lacrimation and photophobia are observed.
With proper treatment, the above symptoms go away.
Causes
The factors that provoke the disease may be different, but the main reason is hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Pathological conditions that contribute to the development of thyrotoxicosis:
- Bazedov’s disease.
- Toxic adenoma.
- Diseases, injuries, surgical interventions on the thyroid gland.
- Pituitary adenoma.
- Overdose of drugs (thyroid hormonal substances).
- Treatment with drugs that include iodine.
- Subacute thyroiditis.
Thyrotoxicosis in adults
According to medical statistics, this pathology is most affected by men and women in the age category of 20 to 50 years. However, the latter are ill five times more often. The development of the disease depends on hormonal status, the presence of concomitant diseases, heredity and some other factors. The first symptoms of thyrotoxicosis in adults include:
- swelling and enlargement of the neck;
- sensation of a lump in the pharynx;
- difficulty swallowing and breathing.
The danger lies in the fact that a person does not attach importance to these symptoms and postpones a visit to the doctor. The manifestation of hyperthyroidism and its severity depend on the root cause. In addition to external symptoms, there is a failure in the work of internal organs and systems. With proper treatment and nutrition, the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis in women, men and children go away. However, signs of pathology have some differences. Let's consider them in more detail.
Thyrotoxicosis in women
The predisposition to the development of this disease in the fair sex is associated with constant changes in the hormonal background that occur throughout life. Menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause - all this makes the female body more vulnerable and contributes to the malfunction of the thyroid gland. The severity of the pathology, its manifestation, as well as signs (external and internal) depend on the cause that triggered the disease. In women, the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis are as follows:
- increased heart function leads to hypertension, tachycardia;
- palpebral fissure increases, protrusion of the eyeballs and swelling of the orbit tissue are observed;
- the menstrual cycle fails;
- menstruation becomes irregular, meager and is accompanied by pain and a deterioration in overall health;
- hair grows dull and becomes brittle, thin.
In order to prevent possible endocrine disorders, it is recommended to visit an endocrinologist, undergo various types of examinations, including ultrasound, blood tests for thyroid hormonal substances. Women under 30 years of age - every five years, from 30 to 40 years - every three years, after 45 years - annually. The treatment of thyrotoxicosis in women with the symptoms described above depends on the cause of the disease.
Thyrotoxicosis during pregnancy
Women in a position having such a pathology should definitely monitor the state of the thyroid gland and be regularly monitored by an endocrinologist. Otherwise, hyperthyroidism is a threat not only to her health, but also to the life of the unborn baby. For the development and full formation of the fetus, hormones synthesized by the endocrine gland are very important. A normal level of these substances is one of the conditions to make a healthy baby, and increased production has a negative effect on the fetus and well-being of a woman. The manifestation of symptoms of thyroid toxicosis of the thyroid gland in women during pregnancy is a provocative factor in the development of the following disorders in the fetus and unborn baby:
- damage to the nervous system;
- goiter formation;
- disruptions in the formation of endocrine organs;
- and other conditions that threaten health and life.
The presence of this disease significantly increases the risk of fading fetal development, miscarriages and giving birth to a dead child. To reduce severe consequences, one should adhere to the recommendations of specialists both at the stage of planning the birth of a baby, and at all others.
Antithyroid drugs are used for treatment , as well as drugs containing iodine in their composition. If the effect is absent, surgery is indicated.
Thyrotoxicosis in men
Representatives of this sex suffer less from hyperthyroidism and most often they are diagnosed with a subclinical form. Pathology in men is detected quite late, treatment in such cases does not give a result. The consequences of the disease primarily affect the reproductive system: sexual opportunities are reduced and the qualitative composition of sperm changes as a result of hormonal imbalance. Symptoms of thyrotoxicosis in men are as follows:
- muscle weakness, which is especially felt when climbing stairs or when standing up;
- the muscles lose their volume;
- trembling in the hands;
- sleep disturbance;
- sweating intensifies;
- appetite increases;
- the pulse quickens;
- there is nervousness, irritability;
- diarrhea is possible.
It is very important to identify the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis in men as early as possible. Treatment begins with the selection of medicines in an adequate dose. Unfortunately, after conservative therapy relapses are quite common.
Thyrotoxicosis in children
The disease is rare. Basically, diffuse toxic goiter is a predisposing factor. In addition, the excess production of hormonal substances can be determined:
- prolonged use of hormonal and iodine-containing drugs;
- increased activity of the thyroid gland;
- damage to the cells of the endocrine organ, which is accompanied by the release of excess hormones into the blood;
- pathology of the pituitary and thyroid gland.
Most often, hyperthyroidism develops in adolescence, and development occurs slowly. Obvious signs of the disease can appear after a year from the beginning of its development. Moodiness, rapid agitation, inattention, anxiety during sleep; irritability, a decrease in school performance - this is a manifestation of the first symptoms of thyrotoxicosis in children. In addition, it is noted:
- trembling in the fingers of a child with outstretched straight arms;
- weight loss;
- increased appetite;
- thyroid enlargement;
- exophthalmos;
- humidity of the skin;
- increased sweating;
- alteration and awkwardness of gait due to muscle weakness.
With the advanced stage of the disease, atrial fibrillation, an increase in blood pressure, and systolic murmur are possible.
Thyrotoxicosis of the newborn
Pathologies of the thyroid gland available to the expectant mother can provoke abnormalities of the heart muscle in both the fetus and the unborn baby. Delivery is premature. Symptoms of thyroid toxicosis of the thyroid gland are as follows:
- the fetus has an increase in motor activity and tachycardia;
- the newborn has tachyarrhythmia, accentuated tones, atrial extrasystoles, expansion of the boundaries of relative cardiac dullness;
- tremor;
- hyper excitability;
- cramps
- thyroid enlargement;
- attacks of asphyxia;
- exophthalmos sometimes occurs.
In addition, in addition to the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, acute adrenal and heart failure, thyrotoxic crisis, which can lead to death , can join.
Diagnosis and treatment of thyrotoxicosis of newborns
The basis of diagnosis is the collection of anamnesis. When decoding the analysis for hormonal substances, a decrease in TSH is observed, an increase in the concentration of T3, T4. According to the ECG results, the following changes are noted: pointed P wave, acceleration of atrioventricular conduction, sinus tachycardia, high voltage, impaired myocardial repolarization processes. Echocardiography shows a violation of the diastolic function of the left ventricle and further, expansion of the heart cavities - these signs are precursors of heart failure.
In treatment, adrenergic blockers, sedatives, hormones, antithyroid drugs, as well as infusion therapy, are used. The prognosis of the disease is unfavorable.
Treatment of thyrotoxicosis
After confirming the diagnosis, effective therapy is selected, which directly depends on the causes and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. Treatment is carried out by the following methods:
- Conservative. Includes the use of drugs: antithyroid drugs, glucocorticoids, iodides, beta blockers.
- Surgical Depending on medical indications, in this case, the inflamed node, an enlarged part of the endocrine organ are partially removed, or a gland resection is performed.
- Both methods are used in especially severe cases of the manifestation of the disease.
- Radioiodine therapy. It consists in the use of radioactive iodine. This type of therapy is indicated for the ineffectiveness of the first method or relapse after surgery
Treatment of subclinical thyrotoxicosis
Symptoms of this pathology are barely noticeable or not at all. In order to determine the therapy, it is necessary to find out the cause of the disease. In this situation, much depends on the patient, how much he will tell the doctor about the change in health over the past three or even six months. Factors on which treatment tactics will depend:
- age of the patient;
- the reason that caused the development of the disease;
- state of severity. There are only two of them and they depend on the level of TSH (mIU / ml): from 0.1 to 0.39 - the first, less than 0.1 - the second;
- the presence of concomitant diseases.
They also distinguish between persistent and transient subclinical thyrotoxicosis. Compulsory treatment is recommended for the following citizens:
- under 65 years of age with symptoms of hyperthyroidism;
- an older age category than in the first case, with and without signs of thyrotoxicosis, with existing diseases: coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, angina pectoris, after a stroke, severe osteoporosis;
- with a proven cause of the disease.
Surgical treatment is carried out in the presence of the following symptoms of thyrotoxicosis: compression, a huge goiter and suspected malignant thyroid tumor. With a conservative method of treatment, drugs are selected individually.
Complications
In the absence of adequate therapy or in stressful situations, as well as the attachment of diseases of an infectious nature or after surgery, a thyrotoxic crisis develops. This condition is considered the most dangerous, requires urgent medical attention, accompanied by the following symptoms:
- raising the temperature to critical values;
- acute heart failure;
- tachycardia;
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea;
- increased blood pressure.
Diet for thyrotoxicosis
In connection with accelerated metabolic processes taking place against the background of symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, nutrition in women and men should be fractional and of a certain diet. With this disease, the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and fats is quite active in the body. Energy demand increases, the supply of glycogen in muscle tissue and liver is reduced, the layer of fat is thinning. The patient is rapidly losing body weight, so a full supply of nutrients, fluids, as well as vitamins and minerals is necessary. The following products must be present on the menu:
- milk, kefir, natural yogurts, yogurt, sour cream;
- low-fat and unsalted cheese;
- unsweetened pastries, biscuits;
- oat, wheat and rye bread;
- all types of cereals; rice in a small amount to avoid constipation;
- cabbage, pumpkin, zucchini, leaf salads;
- non-greasy boiled, stewed or steamed meat;
- stewed fruit drinks, fruit drinks, chamomile tea, rosehip broth;
- freshwater low-fat fish.
Salt should be limited to 10 grams per day. The recommended fluid is about two liters.
Treatment with folk remedies
The use of alternative medicine methods should be agreed with the doctor. Recommended remedies:
- The fruits of hawthorn. An infusion is prepared, which is taken in three tablespoons three times a day. The course is at least three weeks. Then a break for 14 days.
- Yarrow. Alcohol tincture is taken in the morning and evening thirty minutes before a meal of 10 drops.
- Herbal collection of motherwort, mint, valerian, hawthorn. The first three types of medicinal raw materials are taken in equal proportions, and the last - twice as much and prepare a decoction. Take half a cup twice a day before meals.
- Beet. Eat a piece of raw root vegetables daily.
Preventive actions
In order to avoid serious pathologies from the endocrine system, it is recommended: do not drink alcohol, quit smoking, maintain a diet, exercise, regularly visit an endocrinologist and undergo the necessary examinations. In addition, with existing problems with the thyroid gland, undergo an annual follow-up and ultrasound of the body.