Content:

• Thyroid hypoplasia in children
• Causes of thyroid hypoplasia
• Manifestations of thyroid hypoplasia in children
• Thyroid hypoplasia in adolescents
• Thyroid hypoplasia in adults

Underdevelopment or reduction of the thyroid gland in a medical language is called hypoplasia. Unfortunately, symptoms of thyroid hypoplasia may not appear immediately, although in most cases this is a congenital pathology. Meanwhile, timely treatment of thyroid hypoplasia is extremely important, because the work of the whole organism actually depends on the work of this organ . 

With a uniform pathological process, diffuse thyroid hypoplasia develops. But this does not always happen, often one share suffers. In this case, the diagnosis is formulated as hypoplasia of the left lobe of the thyroid gland or the right.

Thyroid hypoplasia in children

Most often, thyroid hypoplasia is congenital and consists in the underdevelopment of the gland tissue.

Causes of thyroid hypoplasia

• Iodine deficiency in the mother during pregnancy.
• Hypothyroidism of a mother who is not being treated.
• Defects of fetal development.

Immediately after the birth of a child, symptoms of thyroid hypoplasia may not occur. Especially if the baby is breastfed (TSH and T3 hormones are present in breast milk). But with the growth and increase in the need for thyroid hormones, their lack becomes more noticeable.

The first manifestations most often occur in 2-3 months and are associated with advanced hypothyroidism.

Manifestations of thyroid hypoplasia in children

• Lethargy, drowsiness of the child.
• Lack of normal reactions to sound and light.
• Physiological jaundice remains longer than usual.
• Hoarseness of voice.
• Constipation
• Poor appetite.
• Lag in development.

Most of all, the central nervous system suffers from a lack of thyroid hormones caused by gland hypoplasia. She delays her formation, so such children start to walk and talk late.

The timely treatment of thyroid hypoplasia usually gives a good effect. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the first signs of the disease. Today, children directly in maternity hospitals are screened (blood tests) for congenital hypothyroidism, which shows the level of thyroid hormones, this makes it possible to diagnose thyroid pathologies early. The main thing is that parents take into account the recommendations of doctors.

In addition to drugs, children are prescribed massage, therapeutic exercises.

Thyroid hypoplasia in adolescents

If congenital hypoplasia was minor, then the thyroid gland could well cope with the work. But during the period of rapid growth and puberty, the body of a teenager needs hormones more, and therefore feels their lack more acutely. Therefore, thyroid gland hypoplasia can occur only by 12-15 years. Most often, thyroid hypoplasia of the 1st degree is diagnosed. After all, birth defects were insignificant. Hypoplasia of the thyroid gland of the 2nd degree is usually detected much earlier, even in childhood.

Symptoms are associated with a lack of thyroid hormones. Adolescents become more lethargic, lethargic, skeletal growth is delayed, the formation of the nervous system. Without treatment, the lag in intellectual development becomes noticeable.

Treatment of thyroid hypoplasia in adolescents consists in hormone replacement therapy. As a result of compensating for the missing hormones, you can solve health problems.

Thyroid hypoplasia in adults

In adults, a decrease in the thyroid gland is more often defined as atrophy.

Causes of thyroid atrophy:

• Inactivity of the thyroid gland due to treatment with thyreostatic drugs, for example, Merkazolil.
• Treatment of hypothyroidism with radioactive iodine.
• Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Tumors of the thyroid gland or neighboring organs.

Symptoms of thyroid hypoplasia in adults:

• Fatigue, weakness, memory impairment.
• Dry skin, brittle hair and nails.
• Decrease in body temperature.
• Weight gain.
• Swelling.

The treatment of atrophy consists in hormone replacement therapy to eliminate hypothyroidism and, if possible, in the treatment of the disease that caused the destruction of the thyroid cells.