The thyroid gland is one of the main glands of internal secretion, the hormones of which regulate the metabolic processes of the whole organism. It is located in the neck, in front of the larynx. The mass of this body on average is from 30 to 40 grams. The morphofunctional unit of the thyroid gland is follicular cells, in which two vital iodinated hormones are formed: thyroxine and triiodothyronine, as well as one non-iodinated hormone - calcitonin. The functional tasks of these hormones are:
- active stimulation in the cellular elements of oxidative processes;
- regulation of water, fat, mineral, carbohydrate, protein metabolism;
- participation in the growth and development of the whole organism as a whole;
- effect on the functioning of the central nervous system.
The thyroid gland, the signs of the disease of which are caused either by its hypofunction or hyperfunction, is subject to the control of the pituitary-hypothalomic system. The hypothalamus, the highest regulator or reducer of the neuroendocrine system, and the adenohypophysis are normal in a completely healthy person due to complex neurochemical reactions that control the activity of the thyroid gland. It is the coordinated work of these two anatomical structures that determines the increase in the production of hormones in the follicles of the thyroid gland when they are deficient, as well as the slowdown in their production when the body is oversaturated with these very important and necessary biologically active substances.
The thyroid gland (signs of the disease, its hyperfunction, are manifested by weight loss, excessive sweating and nervous irritability), among other things, regulates blood pressure. Therefore, along with the above signs of hyperproduction of thyroid hormones, there is another important point - a persistent and very unstable increase in blood pressure, which is difficult to stop with antihypertensive drugs. There is also a compensatory increase in this organ, which is the thyroid gland, the signs of disease in this case are represented by the following complaints:
- feeling of excessive constriction;
- awkwardness and discomfort in the neck;
- thickening of the cervical region;
- effervescence (bazedovy disease);
- asthma attacks;
- heart palpitations, worse at the slightest exertion;
- sleep disturbance;
- low-grade fever;
- increased appetite, which does not really help to get better;
- frequent diarrhea;
- causeless irritability, etc.
All this serves as a vivid clinical picture of diffuse toxic goiter, the signs of this disease are so memorable that it will be very difficult to confuse the goiter with some other pathology. A completely different situation is demonstrated by decreased thyroid function. Its symptoms are diametrically opposite: the patient is lethargic, apathetic, seems obese, his eyes "swim", the patient always wants to sleep, his appetite is reduced, but this does not help him lose weight. The heartbeat is smooth, but slow, constant constipation. Sometimes the thyroid gland, whose symptoms are associated with myxedema, can also be slightly enlarged. However, this hypertrophy does not progress, as with thyrotoxicosis.
A special condition occurs when sclerosis of the thyroid gland occurs. A similar phenomenon occurs with autoimmune thyroiditis, which is also called "Hochimoto's goiter", as well as with chronic fibrous thyroiditis, or "Riedel's goiter." The end result of both pathological processes is the replacement of the glandular tissue of the thyroid gland with connective tissue, which, of course, cannot produce thyroid hormones. These two diseases lead to disability of patients. They should always be differentiated from oncological conditions.