Palpation of the thyroid gland is the first stage of diagnosis, allowing to detect the presence of the disease. With the help of such measures, the specialist determines the degree of development of the disease, and then prescribes further studies.
basic information
Palpation of the thyroid gland is carried out by all patients who contact an endocrinologist. Timely detection of certain diseases allows a specialist to prescribe conservative treatment so that a person does not have to resort to surgical intervention.
A bit about the organ
What is the thyroid gland? According to experts, this is the endocrine gland, which is present in all vertebrates. It stores iodine and produces the production of iodine-containing hormones (i.e. iodothyronines), which take part in the growth of cells and the body as a whole, as well as in the regulation of metabolism.
Palpation of the thyroid gland is easy and simple. It is located in the neck before the trachea, under the larynx. Usually in humans, such an organ has the shape of a butterfly.
Palpation of the thyroid gland. Degrees of increase
Why is this procedure necessary? The fact is that many people suffer from diseases of this organ. Such diseases can occur against the background of unchanged, increased or, conversely, decreased endocrine function. The lack of iodine that occurs in certain territories often leads to the development of cretinism and endemic goiter.
Palpation of the thyroid gland allows you to identify the presence of a problem, as well as determine the degree of the disease:
0. The dimensions of the organ under consideration are to such an extent natural. At the same time, the thyroid gland is practically not palpable, and is not determined by visual inspection. By the way, in thin people during an examination, this organ may not be felt at all.
1. This degree is talked about if the patient feels an isthmus when the patient swallows the first one.
2. At this stage, the isthmus becomes more visible. At the same time, the lobes of the gland are pronounced and greatly increased.
3. At this degree, both lobes of the thyroid gland are enlarged. Even with a visual examination of the patient, the doctor can easily notice the problem. After probing the organ, almost immediately all the thickenings are determined.
4. This stage is more serious. The enlargement of the thyroid gland becomes so noticeable that the so-called goiter begins to have unnatural sizes. Also, asymmetry is noted in the gland, and the isthmus protrudes well. During the examination, the patient is found to compress the surrounding organs and tissues in the neck. Pain on palpation of the thyroid gland begins to be felt with light pressure. Also at this stage, the patient’s voice becomes hoarse. He has a constant feeling of squeezing in the neck and a feeling that something is stopping him from swallowing.
5. At the last stage, an already developed goiter has dimensions that exceed all permissible norms.
Palpation of the thyroid gland: technique
Feeling the patient’s thyroid gland should be done only by an endocrinologist, while he follows a special technique. When examining a patient, the doctor can take completely different poses, helping him to examine the patient as accurately as possible, as well as determine the degree of increase in the internal organ.
So how is thyroid examination and palpation performed? The specialist adheres to the following rules:
- Standing facing the patient, the endocrinologist places the thumbs on the cartilage of the thyroid gland, and puts the rest on the area of the clavicular-sternum-mastoid muscle. If in the process of probing such data for diagnosis it is not enough, then the patient is asked to take a sip. As a result of this, there is some displacement of the cartilage, and to feel the organ is obtained as fully as possible. With this method of palpation, an isthmus can be easily detected.
- Standing to the right of the examinee, the doctor examines the patient, asks him to tilt his head forward. In this position, the person maximally relaxes the muscles, that is, it is quite easy to feel the organ. With his left hand, the endocrinologist holds the neck in one position, and with his right hand he gently probes both lobes of the gland.
- Having stood up behind the patient, a specialist can place his thumbs on the back of the neck, and the rest should thoroughly palpate the thyroid gland.
Having carried out the described actions, the doctor can easily make a preliminary conclusion about the presence or absence of an increase in the internal organ.
Research results
Palpation of the thyroid gland in children and adults helps a specialist draw preliminary conclusions about the patient's condition. When should a patient be worried? If during the examination the internal organ is not felt, then this indicates its normal condition (that is, there are no pathological increases).
According to the generally accepted classification, three degrees are established in endocrinology, of which only one is a variant of the norm. As for the rest, they already indicate the development of pathology.
If during the study of the patient his thyroid gland is palpated, but rather weakly, then they speak of the first stage of the disease. The last degree of the disease is diagnosed if, on palpation, the damage is determined very well.
Study Features
Now you know how thyroid palpation is performed. Normally, this organ should not be enlarged. It should be noted that the examination carried out by the doctor is the initial stage of diagnosis. It does not give a full guarantee, due to the fact that the specialist may be mistaken, especially when examining too thin or obese people. Although an initial idea of the patient's condition in this way can still be obtained.
Particular attention for palpation of the internal organ should be given to patients with overweight. This is due to the fact that in such people a layer of fat can be quite easily mistaken for a thyroid gland, which will give an erroneous result of the study. Therefore, this type of examination can only be used together with others.
Palpation benefits
The main advantage of physical palpation of the thyroid gland is that the patient can use this method on his own. But you should act very carefully. Indeed, ignorance of the anatomical features of a person can quite easily lead to disastrous results.
Treatment
Treatment of thyroid disease should only begin after all diagnostic measures have been completed, including hormone tests. The first degrees of the disease require conservative therapy. At the same time, a person needs to drink artificial hormones and other drugs throughout his life. If this is not done, then the thyroid gland can increase even more.
The most effective and proven method of treating the gland in question is its total surgical removal. However, this method is also extremely dangerous. Therefore, only an experienced surgeon should conduct such an operation. It should be noted that before placing the patient in intensive care, he must undergo special treatment. During this period, the patient is prescribed various drugs, and is also recommended to adhere to a strict diet rich in natural vitamins.