Basedow’s disease is a condition that is provoked by a persistent increase in the content of iodine-containing hormones in the blood. Sometimes you can hear the term hyperthyroidism – these concepts are synonymous, but it should be remembered that an increased level of hormones occurs not only in Graves’ disease, but also in any other disease occurring against the background of increased production of hormones (adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the thyroid gland, thyroiditis of various genesis).

BAZEDOVA DISEASE – FEATURES OF ITS DEVELOPMENT AND DURING

Since an obvious excess of iodine-containing hormones is formed in the body, the intensity of metabolism increases sharply. Appetite remains the same, but at the same time a noticeable decrease in weight in patients is noticeable – the previous calorie content of food is not enough to maintain energy exchange in the body, and even an increase in appetite does not solve the problem, and the patient continues to lose weight. In the initial stages of the disease, the patient may like these changes, especially if the disease develops in a woman, but weight loss becomes unmanageable.

The disease is similar to known disorders in the work of the central nervous system, heart and gastrointestinal tract, as it has symptoms characteristic of them. Therefore, very often, before an accurate diagnosis is established, patients undergo examination and treatment in cardiology or gastroenterology.

DISEASE MANIFESTATIONS – WHAT IT IS WORTH PAYING ATTENTION TO

Basedow’s disease can be determined by the appearance of the patient, since there is an increase in the size of the thyroid gland, as a result of which the appearance of the neck changes. For complete confirmation, you will need to take a blood test for the level of thyroid hormones: in this disease, the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone is reduced, while thyroxine and triiodothyronine exceed the norm. In addition to hormonal tests, it is necessary to prescribe an ultrasound scan, scintigraphy (scanning), biopsy, analysis for antibodies to thyroid cells, tomography to determine the disease that led to the development of Graves’ disease.      

CAUSES OF BASED DISEASE

Thyrotoxicosis is a set of symptoms that may indicate the presence of diffuse toxic goiter, nodular ( multinodular ) goiter, autoimmune thyroiditis, cancer (adenocarcinoma of the thyroid gland).   

Sometimes secondary thyrotoxicosis is the result of a pituitary adenoma, since TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the level of hormones T3 and T4. Therefore, in the case of the development of tumor formations in the pituitary gland, thyrotropic is released in excess, which contributes to the constant secretion of iodine-containing hormones and their high content in the blood serum, which provokes the development of symptoms of the disease.

Very rarely, disorders of the hypothalamus become the cause of the development of thyrotoxicosis – these conditions are not clinically distinguishable, and to establish the true cause of Graves’ disease, a comprehensive clinical and instrumental examination is required.

SYMPTOMS OF BASED DISEASE

The main signs of the disease are:

• a sharp weight loss, which is practically not controlled by the diet;
• heart palpitations that are difficult to treat with standard antiarrhythmic drugs;
• constant feeling of heat, hot flashes, regardless of the ambient temperature;
• tremors in the limbs, not associated with neurological diseases;
• increased sweating ;
• diarrhea not associated with the patient’s dietary habits and drinking regimen;
• increased excitability, accompanied by rapid fatigue, irritability, tearfulness;
• violation of concentration and memory, not associated with age-related changes and pathology of the vessels of the brain;
• women experience menstrual irregularities, possibly infertility; 
• in men, potency decreases.

TREATMENT OF BASE DISEASE

If any of the above symptoms appear, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist. It is he who will prescribe a complete examination, make a practical diagnosis and prescribe treatment with one of the well-known methods:

1. Conservative treatment – consists in taking thyrostatic drugs that suppress the intensity of the secretion of thyroid hormones. A positive result can only be achieved by carefully taking medications (at the same time) and regular examinations. Medicines compensate for disturbances in the work of the hypothalamus, autonomic and central nervous system – drugs that affect the state of the cardiovascular system, sedatives and antidepressants can be included in the complex treatment. It is important to remember that a qualified doctor should diagnose, prescribe medications and determine the duration of treatment – self-medication is unacceptable.   

< li Radioactive treatment – administration of liquid or capsules that contain radioactive iodine. Iodine accumulates in the body, including in the cells of the thyroid gland, which leads to their death, as a result of which they are replaced by connective tissue. However, a sharp decrease in the work of the thyroid gland is possible – hypothyroidism. If this complication develops, lifelong thyroid hormone replacement may be required.  

1. Surgical intervention is indicated as a result of ineffective conservative treatment, in the presence of a significant increase in the size of the thyroid gland, in case of suspicion or revealed presence of a malignant tumor, and in the retrosternal location of the goiter. In this case, various surgical operations can be performed – removal of nodes, total and subtotal resection of organ tissue. The optimal tactics of surgical treatment is determined based on the results of the examination.   
2. Radiation therapy may be needed for malignant neoplasms of the thyroid gland – this type of treatment is used only in specialized oncology clinics. 

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In some cases, a combined or complex treatment of the disease that caused the development of Graves’ disease is required.