Not all people undergo preventive examinations at the endocrinologist every year. But often this is the only way to identify problems in time and start treating them. Of course, there are a number of signs by which one can suspect something was wrong, but often people simply do not pay attention to them.
Self diagnosis
It is important to know what may indicate possible problems, which
symptom of an enlarged thyroid gland should be addressed first. So, at home, you can only try to probe this organ. It is located in the neck, immediately behind the
thyroid cartilage, which moves during swallowing.
If you place your hand so that the thumb is to the left of the cartilage, and the other 4 to the right, then you can feel the formation, which has a soft consistency. This is the organ we need. To understand if there is an increase in the thyroid gland, you need to know what it should be in size. So, normally it is as long as the extreme phalanx of the thumb - the one on which the nail is located. If it seems to you that it is larger, then it is better to make an appointment with an endocrinologist who can conduct a professional examination.
During the self-diagnosis, you can evaluate its density and check for the presence of nodes. Ideally, it is soft and supple. In other cases, it is imperative to see a doctor. Such a symptom of an enlarged thyroid gland cannot be ignored. After all, its dense structure may indicate oncology. It is also important to ensure that it moves with the thyroid cartilage during swallowing.
Pay attention to soreness. Normally, with manual examination of the gland, only discomfort should be present. In all other cases, a visit to the doctor becomes mandatory.
Reasons for the increase
Having understood which symptom of an enlarged thyroid gland cannot be ignored, it is also important to understand what caused the problems. So, first of all, the doctor conducts a survey of the patient, specifying whether he has a genetic predisposition. But, in addition to heredity, there are other reasons. An enlargement of the thyroid gland may be due to a violation of the mechanism of absorption of iodine or if the microelement is too low in the body.
Also, goiter can form as a result of excessive exposure to the neck or head. Sometimes the causes of problems lie in an excessive number of stresses, prolonged depression, nervous breakdowns. Goiter and hormonal disruptions in the body lead to the appearance of goiter.
Varieties of goiter
Depending on the clinical picture, doctors distinguish several stages. At grade 0, manual examination does not identify thyroid problems. It is of normal size without any formations.
An enlargement of the thyroid gland of the 1st degree is characterized by minor changes that can be felt. But the shape of the neck is not changed, it is impossible to notice any deformations with the naked eye.
Stage 2 is characterized by a noticeable increase in the organ, which leads to the appearance of bulges on the skin. The neck is deformed. Not to notice goiter of the 2nd degree is impossible.
Also, experts highlight diffuse and nodal changes. In the first case, iron increases evenly. Also, diffuse goiter is divided into toxic and non-toxic. The nodal form of the disease is characterized by a limited area of enlargement of the gland. There is also a mixed type of goiter. There are signs of both diffuse and nodal enlargement.
Classification of problems
As a result of the examination, the endocrinologist should not only establish the degree of thyroid enlargement, but also identify the euthyroid, hypothyroid, or hyperthyroid state. Symptoms of the appearance of goiter will depend on those changes that have occurred with the specified body.
Euthyroid enlargement usually goes unnoticed for patients. People, as a rule, do not complain about anything. But in such patients, disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system, signs of myocardial pathologies are noted. There may also be problems with metabolic processes.
Hyperthyroid goiter is less common. But it is worth noting that such an increase in the thyroid gland in women is diagnosed more often than in men. Patients may complain of periodic shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, sweating. Also, with this form of the disease, trembling of the fingers is noted.
Hypothyroid goiter has a number of clinical signs, but they may not appear in the early stages. In more advanced forms, the diagnosis is quite simple. Patients have a somewhat puffy face, dry skin, and pale skin. There is also increased hair loss.
Symptoms of euthyroid enlargement of the gland
The clinical manifestations of the disease will directly depend on which particular form has developed. For example, an euthyroid goiter does not appear. Even a blood test for
thyroid hormones does not allow him to be diagnosed
. Most often, such an increase looks like a noticeable cosmetic defect. The thyroid gland is clearly visible on the neck. Photos of people with this disease are most often found. The increase can be so large that the gland squeezes the blood vessels, reduces the lumen of the trachea, esophagus. At the same time, a person may complain of difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Signs of hyperthyroiditis and hypothyroiditis
A detailed survey of the patient and the collection of complaints allows the endocrinologist to establish a preliminary diagnosis. So, hyperthyroid goiter is characterized by hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Patients in most cases complain of exfoliating, tachycardia, increased pressure, accelerated metabolic processes, increased appetite.
Hypothyroid goiter appears differently. Even increased drowsiness is a symptom of an enlarged thyroid gland. In addition, the disease is manifested by hypotension, hair loss, a feeling of dry mouth, a certain inhibition, flatulence, constipation. Often, anemia is diagnosed in patients based on test results. Some even have hearing loss. This is possible due to edema of the Eustachian tube.
The purpose of the gland
It is important to understand that thyroid disease affects the work of the whole organism as a whole. So, this body is responsible for the normal, stable functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. He also controls the synthesis of protein, which takes place at the cellular level, the consumption of phosphates, calcium and oxygen. To prevent problems in time, you need to know how the enlargement of the thyroid gland is manifested. Symptoms (treatment should be aimed at correcting the work of this organ) can be varied. They vary depending on the type of disease.
In cases where the thyroid gland stops normal work, the weight changes, problems with the mental and energetic state are observed. So, an undetected disease can lead to obesity, serious malfunctions in the heart, hair loss, sexual disorders and other health problems.
The importance of treatment
If an endocrinologist notices at least one symptom of an enlarged thyroid gland, he will most likely send you for testing. Hand over the main hormones responsible for her work, in this case, it is necessary. Also, the doctor can send for ultrasound examination of this gland. With the help of blood tests, you can determine how much the level of hormones responsible for its work has changed. And ultrasound makes it possible to accurately establish the stage of goiter, to identify even small nodules.
After the final determination of the diagnosis, do not try to self-medicate and in no case do not refuse hormone therapy. In most cases, only with its help can the load on the thyroid gland be reduced. Prescribed hormones can fill the body's need and thereby establish its work. But you need to take them regularly. Periodically, the endocrinologist will recommend retaking the tests. This is necessary to adjust the dosage of hormones. In addition, treatment can be aimed at eliminating the causes that led to the violation.
Therapies
To choose the right treatment, you need to know what exactly influenced the changes, to identify the causes. An increase in the thyroid gland requires not only the proper prescription of drugs, the selection of the right dosage of hormonal drugs, but also the correction of lifestyle.
If the doctor talks about treatment with which you can eliminate the causes of problems, then you need to be prepared for a change in diet and a number of habits. It is important to increase your activity, strive to change metabolism.
Endemic goiter appears in most cases due to insufficient intake of iodine in the body. In this case, doctors can prescribe the appropriate drugs, for example, it can be a means of "Iodomarin."
But with the appearance of hyperthyroid goiter, it is necessary to adjust the thyroid gland so that it produces less hormones. These drugs are called thyreostatic. It can be medicines "Tyrosol", "Metizol", "Merkazolil." The active substance in them is tiamazole. Also, the doctor may prescribe the propitsil. In it, the active substance is called propylthiouracil. Treatment with such agents can last 1-1.5 years, depending on the degree of enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Hypothyroid goiter requires a different approach to treatment. Thyroxine is needed to normalize the condition. The most famous tool that can restore the level of this hormone in the body is L-thyroxine. The use of vitamin complexes is also important. Vitamins of groups B, A, and C must be supplied to the body in sufficient quantities. If the disease is accompanied by anemia, then iron preparations are prescribed.
Surgical intervention
In some cases, the goiter is enlarged so much that it can compress the internal organs, pinch the arteries, trachea and esophagus. Also, sometimes the growing thyroid gland can cause cosmetic defects. The photo gives a clear idea of how much this organ can be enlarged. So, in some in the neck area there are visible increases the size of an egg.
In such situations, conservative therapy is unlikely to be appropriate. True, in a number of situations, the surgeon's knife can be replaced with radiation therapy.
Problems in children
Malfunctions in the thyroid gland can begin at any age. But in babies, they cause a number of problems, which subsequently can not be fixed. Thus, an increase in the thyroid gland in children can adversely affect both the mental and physical development of the crumbs. It is also this body that is responsible for metabolic processes, the state of immunity, and the work of the heart.
There are a number of symptoms by which it can be suspected that the child has problems in the field of endocrinology. It is better to go to the doctor if the baby becomes lethargic, allergic reactions unusual for him begin to appear, infectious diseases become more frequent. The skin may be dry, but in some cases it becomes moist, swollen. Also a clear sign of problems is stunting. It is advisable to get an endocrinologist's consultation if, according to the analysis, the doctor diagnoses anemia in the baby.
Only a specialist for children should treat babies. He can conduct a manual study, recommend taking a test for hormone levels, or go for an ultrasound test. Only a pediatric endocrinologist can interpret all the results, taking into account the child's age and the clinical picture that he saw during the examination.