Any deviation in the functioning of the thyroid gland is reflected in the amount of hormones produced. The resulting imbalance can lead to the development of such an ailment as subclinical thyrotoxicosis. Symptoms of the pathological process, causes and main methods of treatment will be discussed in this article.
How is the disease detected?
A subclinical form of thyrotoxicosis is diagnosed by blood tests. A decrease in the thyroid - stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland (TSH) with a normal content of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) suggests the presence of a disease. All processes in the body are interconnected. With the help of TSH, the pituitary gland affects the thyroid gland and controls its work. If iron begins to produce more hormones, TSH decreases. The pituitary gland picks up an increase in T3 and T4. In response, he reduces the release of his own hormones. Such a clinical picture fully characterizes the pathological process.
Causes of subclinical thyrotoxicosis
The disease is most often diagnosed in women aged 18 to 45 years. With serious violations, the early onset of the pathological process is not ruled out. Doctors conditionally subdivide all causes of thyrotoxicosis into internal and external. Among the first include:
- postpartum hormonal adjustment;
- thyroid adenoma;
- Bazedov’s disease (diffuse toxic goiter).
Subclinical thyrotoxicosis in mild form may occur while taking medications (external causes). Speaking about the influence of medicines, experts often cite the example of “L-thyroxine”. It is prescribed after resection of the thyroid gland or with a decrease in its functional activity. The development of the disease is also facilitated by drugs used to treat thyroiditis (Alpha-Interferon, iodine drugs).
Who is at risk?
Having studied the results of numerous studies, specialists were able to identify a group of patients with a high risk of pathology. It includes:
- people whose relatives have a history of thyroid disease;
- patients with diabetes;
- patients with autoimmune pathologies.
Matching one or more of the items on this list increases the likelihood of developing subclinical thyrotoxicosis. Patients at risk are recommended to periodically undergo an examination to identify an ailment at an early stage.
The first symptoms of the disease
Literally, the term "subclinical" is translated as "before the onset of symptoms." Therefore, the manifestations of this pathology are insufficiently expressed or completely absent. Nevertheless, subclinical thyrotoxicosis can be the cause of changes in the operation of the following systems:
- cardiovascular;
- Nervous
- digestive.
Patients with such a history of history often have tachycardia attacks. At rest, heart rate can reach 100 beats per minute. With any physical exertion, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, sweating intensifies, shortness of breath appears. Similar reactions of the body are caused by the tone of the sympathetic NS. For the same reason, patients complain of frequent rises in blood pressure, gradually turning into arterial hypertension.
From the side of the central nervous system, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the form of insomnia, poor mood and a high level of irritability. Patients may wake up several times during the night. However, sleep disturbance does not affect human performance. A subclinical form of thyrotoxicosis is characterized by a frequent change of mood. The disease does not affect mental abilities, but a decrease in concentration and perseverance is clearly visible.
From the gastrointestinal tract, there is an increase in intestinal motility and stool disorder. The patient constantly feels a sense of hunger, so he often eats a lot, but does not recover. Weight gain is observed in isolated cases. Specific therapy for deviations in the digestive tract is not carried out.
Diagnostic Methods
Timely detected subclinical thyrotoxicosis is the key to successful treatment. The lack of adequate therapy can lead to the development of osteoporosis, ischemia, senile dementia and other unpleasant pathologies. What are the methods for diagnosing the disease?
When certain symptoms appear that indicate thyrotoxicosis, it is worth contacting an endocrinologist. After examining and studying the anamnesis, the specialist directs the patient for further examination. It includes an ultrasound of the gland, a blood test and an ECG. The pathological process is characterized by a decrease in the level of TSH with normal values of T4 and T3. On the ECG, tachycardia is usually detected. According to the results of ultrasound, the doctor prescribes treatment and finally confirms the diagnosis of subclinical thyrotoxicosis.
Medication treatment
Therapeutic measures for this disease are aimed at normalizing the activity of the gland. The standard treatment regimen implies the appointment of medications based on tiamazole and propylthiouracil. Drugs directly affect the gland, blocking its function. Dosage and duration of medication are selected individually. After improving the patient's condition, the treatment regimen is switched to a supportive option.
In most cases, patients are prescribed glucocorticosteroid hormones, the dosage of which is also adjusted. A certain role in the selection of the treatment regimen is played by the age of the patient, the stage of the disease. Treatment with radioactive iodine is considered one of the most effective methods of dealing with excessive activity of the gland. This method also helps to avoid organ resection. Radioiodine therapy (RTI) is that the patient takes capsules or liquid with radioactive iodine for a certain time. Once in the body, the substance begins to slowly accumulate in the cells of the thyroid gland. Subsequently, they die, being replaced by elements of connective tissue. Subclinical thyrotoxicosis after RHT is often complicated by hypothyroidism. The main reason is an incorrectly selected treatment regimen. When this ailment is detected, patients are prescribed lifelong hormone replacement therapy.
If the disease does not progress and does not cause serious disruptions in the body, doctors prefer to follow expectant tactics. Subclinical thyrotoxicosis during pregnancy also does not require drug treatment. Since the disease usually regresses in the second trimester and does not affect the condition of the fetus, the use of thyreostatics is not justified. After the baby is born, a woman in childbirth requires a full diagnostic examination if the thyroid gland does not normalize.
Recipes of folk healers
With subclinical thyrotoxicosis, folk remedies can be used as an addition to the main therapy. Popular prescriptions for doctors are primarily aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease. For example, a digestive disorder is often associated with the disease. To normalize the digestive tract, it is recommended to eat about 100 g of raw beets daily.
With disorders of the central nervous system, valerian helps. To prepare the product, you need 2 tablespoons of dry grass, pour 4 cups of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes. After this, the resulting mixture must be insisted for another 30 minutes, then strain. The medicine is recommended to take 100 g three times a day.
For heart problems, an extract of hawthorn will help. It will take a tablespoon of raw materials pour 200 ml of boiling water. Insist hawthorn is better in a thermos. Traditional healers are advised to take medicine for 4 tablespoons daily. The duration of the course of therapy is 3 weeks. After this, you need to take a break for 14 days and resume taking.
Features of the disease in children
Screening studies, which are used in most maternity hospitals, allow you to diagnose subclinical thyrotoxicosis immediately after birth. Among the main symptoms of the disease can be noted:
- hoarse scream;
- low temperature;
- jaundice;
- severe swelling of the face;
- increased dryness of the skin.
However, most often, parents will learn about the presence of a pathological process in a child in a few years. Treatment involves an integrated approach and is based on the use of synthetic thyroid hormones. Drugs are selected individually, taking into account the age of the patient and his weight.
An untreated disease in a timely manner can lead to unpleasant consequences. Subclinical thyrotoxicosis negatively affects the formation of the child’s bone apparatus, its mental development. Sometimes there are problems with vision. Delayed treatment can cause problems with the overall development of the baby. Therefore, doctors recommend periodically undergoing a full examination in order to identify the disease at an early stage.
To summarize
An imbalance of hormones in the body is often the cause of serious health problems. The subclinical form of thyrotoxicosis has no pronounced signs. Manifestations of the disease are associated with damage to a particular system of the body (nervous, cardiovascular or digestive). In order to timely diagnose pathology, doctors recommend periodically undergoing a comprehensive examination. First of all, a blood test for hormones signals health problems. What doctors offer treatment for a diagnosis of subclinical thyrotoxicosis? Reviews of most patients indicate that hormone therapy is the most effective. No specific disease prevention measures have been developed.