Toxic adenoma of the thyroid gland (in medicine this pathology is called Plummer’s disease) is a benign formation in which there is an increased production of hormones, a node is enlarged, and the activity of healthy areas of the gland is inhibited. This diagnosis is made only after a thorough examination, since the symptoms of the disease are similar to other types of pathologies.
So, what is toxic thyroid adenoma? And how is she treated?
Development reasons
To date, it has not been reliably established why toxic thyroid adenoma occurs. The causes of pathology, according to some scientists, are hidden in gene mutations.
Other doctors, observing the development of the disease, believe that it occurs in the same way as a conventional adenoma. But as a result of increased hormone production, its activity increases.
Clinical picture
Toxic thyroid adenoma is similar in its symptoms to a diffuse toxic goiter. But it affects the activity of the heart and blood vessels more.
There are two forms of Plummer's disease:
- Compensated. In areas not affected by adenoma, hormone production is maintained with this form. Therefore, there are no signs of hypothyroidism in the body .
- Decompensated. This form is characterized by disorders in the formation of thyroid-stimulating hormones. As a result, thyrotoxicosis develops.
On palpation, round or oval seals with pronounced edges are felt.
At an early stage of the disease, symptoms are not pronounced. But with the development of a tumor in a person, mood swings begin, irritability appears. During the activation of the disease, unpleasant signs appear: tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmia.
At a late stage of such a pathology as toxic thyroid adenoma, the symptoms most often manifest as follows:
- diarrhea;
- fever;
- nausea;
- disturbances in the liver;
- stomach ache;
- intolerance to high ambient temperatures;
- weight loss with a constant diet.
Symptoms of the disease
The main sign of the disease is a round or oval formation on the neck, which is displaced during swallowing. At the same time, there are a number of phenomena that signal that toxic thyroid adenoma develops in the body.
Symptoms of the pathology are as follows:
- tearfulness;
- unreasonable irritability;
- frequent mood swings;
- disorders of the autonomic nervous system;
- hypertension;
- heart rate
- rare blinking;
- nausea and diarrhea;
- eyeballs;
- low-grade fever;
- intolerance to high temperatures;
- increased appetite for weight loss;
- hand tremor;
- the appearance of shortness of breath;
- dry eyes;
- fatigue;
- for men it is characteristic: infertility, decreased potency;
- women face migraines, fainting, menstrual irregularities;
- swelling with constant thirst;
- disturbed swallowing process;
- diabetes can develop;
- constant discomfort in the throat;
- periodic cough;
- Changed voice timbre.
Complications of the disease
Most often, negative consequences occur in such cases:
- late diagnosed toxic thyroid adenoma;
- the treatment undertaken to combat the disease is incorrect and inadequate.
In such situations, complications such as:
- atrial fibrillation;
- osteoporosis;
- squeezing of tissues and organs due to node growth;
- in older people - heart failure.
How to identify ailment
Examination of the patient to establish a diagnosis takes place in several stages:
- Inspection by the endocrinologist. The doctor examines the patient's complaints and can detect the presence of nodes by palpation.
- Ultrasound During the study, the location of the tumor is established.
- Blood analysis. Determines the degree of hormone production in the pituitary and thyroid glands.
- Biopsy. Gland cell cytology is performed.
- Biochemical blood test.
- Scintigraphy. Using radioisotope iodine, the gland is examined. The examination allows us to distinguish between a “hot” thyroid gland (signs of toxic adenoma) and a “sleeping” or “cold” one.
- Computed tomography, confirming or refuting the results of ultrasound.
Drug treatment
Methods of combating the disease are determined by the endocrinologist after a complete examination of the patient. Most often, the choice is stopped by surgical intervention. Only this method can completely remove the toxic adenoma of the thyroid gland.
Treatment without surgery - drug therapy - is possible at the initial stage. Most often, it is prescribed in order to normalize the production of hormones.
Since an unstable hormonal background is characteristic of an ailment, medications are prescribed to normalize it:
- "Carbimazole". It blocks the flow of iodine. It can not be taken with liver diseases.
- Tiamazole. It removes iodine and reduces the formation of hormones. Contraindicated in case of low white blood cell count and biliary stasis.
- "Propitsil." Reduces hormone production. You can not take with cirrhosis and other liver diseases.
All these drugs are used strictly for their intended purpose and under the supervision of a physician.
After a successful course of drug treatment, surgery is prescribed.
Surgery
In medicine, there are several types of operations.
Surgical intervention is:
- partial (subtotal), in which only the affected part of the gland is excised;
- full (total) - the thyroid gland is removed completely.
Of course, only a doctor can observe the method of intervention, observing how the patient has toxic thyroid adenoma.
Treatment in the preoperative period includes not only drug therapy.
It is important to follow a number of rules:
- observe complete peace, avoid stressful situations;
- follow a diet recommended by a doctor;
- conduct herbal medicine sessions;
- get enough sleep;
- exclude being in the sun and visiting the solarium.
After the operation, hormone replacement treatment is prescribed, which the patient must take throughout his entire life.
Folk remedies
Many excellent recipes of traditional medicine are known for the adjunctive treatment of thyroid pathologies. First of all, this is herbal medicine.
It should be noted that herbal treatment may be contraindicated in certain diseases, therefore it is best to consult a phytotherapist and a treating endocrinologist.
At the same time, it is important to realize that the herbs do not completely cure toxic thyroid adenoma. Treatment with folk remedies is used only as adjunctive therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to fulfill all the appointments of the endocrinologist, take medications, follow a diet and daily routine. Only then herbal medicine can give a positive effect.
The following are recipes to help with thyroid disease. For the use of these funds, a doctor’s consultation is necessary, as they have a number of contraindications. In addition, resorting to their help should only be part of a comprehensive treatment.
Effective remedies:
- Collective strengthening. Mix tricolor violet grass, licorice root, walnut leaves, corn stigmas, burdock root, Icelandic lichen and nettle leaves (all components in 2 parts) with horsetail grass (1 part taken). Take 2 tablespoons of the mixture of herbs and pour 600 ml of boiling water. Insist for half an hour, then strain. Take half a glass 3 times a day.
- A mixture of buckwheat with walnuts. Grind one glass of buckwheat in a coffee grinder. Finely chop a glass of walnuts. Mix with one glass of buckwheat honey. Transfer to a glass jar and put in a dark place for 7 days. One day a week there is only this remedy, washed down with water or green tea. It is impossible to apply at intolerance of honey and nuts.
- Infusion of milk thistle seeds. Grind into powder 30 g of milk thistle seeds. Pour 0.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil and, reducing the fire, wait for the evaporation of half of all the liquid. Remove from heat, strain. Accepted during the day, once an hour, 1 tablespoon, a whole month.
Diet food
The diet of people who are diagnosed with toxic thyroid adenoma should contain proteins, vitamins and iodine.
The daily norm of iodine is 100-200 mcg. Iodized salt is not a source of the necessary element for the body. And, if this component is still not enough, take "Calcium Iodide" in tablets.
Pathology prognosis
With timely treatment, the disease is almost always cured. If all the gland has been removed, then lifelong hormone therapy is prescribed.
Patients who have encountered this ailment should follow certain recommendations:
- consult with an endocrinologist annually;
- constantly monitor the level of hormones;
- adhere to the recommended diet;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- Do not stay in the sun for a long time.
Patient opinions
Many people ask the question: "Can a toxic thyroid adenoma be cured without surgery?" The reviews of patients who have experienced this disease confirm that it is almost impossible to get rid of the pathology without surgical intervention.
Drug treatment, the use of folk remedies can significantly reduce negative symptoms. Such therapy helps to normalize hormonal levels and the patient feels significant relief. However, surgery is necessary for complete healing.