In the modern world, the problems of endocrinology come to the fore. About 50% of the world’s population has experienced this pathological condition. The insidiousness of this pathology lies in the fact that the primary symptom complex is practically absent, and the first stage of the inflammatory process goes unnoticed. This disease affects all age groups of the population. Next, we will consider the causes and consequences of such an inflammatory process as an enlarged thyroid gland.

The main causes of occurrence

Enlargement of the thyroid gland (colloquial expression – goiter) is a pathological condition. Three types of diseases influence its occurrence.

Pathological process	What’s happening
Hypothyroidism	Enlargement of the thyroid gland begins to occur in the population living in an area with insufficient iodine content. Its lack of food and water for drinking affects the functioning of the thyroid gland. It functions with greater intensity, trying to compensate for this deficiency. As a consequence of this process – its gradual increase in size.
Hyperthyroidism	It is a hormonal disease. As a result of a malfunction in the thyroid gland itself, the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, an increase in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormones occurs. This entails the growth of the endocrine organ itself (the thyroid gland).
Euthyroidism	The amount of hormonal compounds is in the range of age dosage, but the thyroid gland can still expand. This pathological process is basic for the development of other endocrine diseases based on this organ.

All three of these diseases occur in the human body for independent reasons. There is only one coincidence – an enlarged thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland seems to be part of the endocrine system, interruptions in the functioning of which lead to the failure of all other organs of the human body. If the hormonal background is disturbed, irreversible processes may occur. As well as problems associated with childbearing function and weight gain.

The most common reasons for an enlarged thyroid gland include the following:

• constant stressful situation;
• poor ecological situation at the place of residence: toxic substances in the air gradually have a destructive effect on the functioning of the endocrine glands;
• work related to hazardous production;
• deficiency of trace elements and vitamins (especially iodine), as well as the occurrence of this pathological process is greatly influenced by the lack of substances such as selenium and fluorine;
• violation of proper nutrition (frequent use of semi-finished and ready-made foods);
• failures in the production of certain substances by the pituitary gland and / or hypothalamus; they have a direct impact on the normal functioning of the thyroid gland;
• unstable hormone levels, especially in the female population (puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause);
• malignant neoplasms;
• infectious diseases;
• the presence of chronic diseases and the period of their exacerbations (the process of increase is a complication of these pathological processes);
• the influence of certain medications that negatively affect thyroid hormones;
• lack of physical activity;
• insufficient exposure to the sun or constant exposure to enclosed spaces;
• smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• processes that occur in the human body, directly related to the thyroid gland itself.

Endocrinologists believe that the main reason for an enlarged thyroid gland is iodine deficiency. This endocrine organ can reach an enormous size, which will become dangerous for the life of the whole organism.

The relationship between the form of the disease and the cause

In medical practice, there are reasons for the enlargement of the thyroid gland, which directly affect and are a priority for determining the type of disease. The most common reasons include:

The form	Cause
diffuse magnification	An increase in the function of the thyroid gland itself or an attack on one’s own immune system. This is a hereditary defect in immunity that negatively affects the production of autoantibody proteins . They interact with receptors located on the cells of the gland and cause its increase, as well as stimulate additional production of hormones.
Node enlargement	Hereditary predisposition, exposure to radiation, chronic iodine deficiency, viral infections.
Share increase	Oncological pathology or diffuse goiter.
Left lobe enlargement	Benign cyst.
Enlargement of the isthmus	Hormonal changes in the body, the result of metastasis of other malignant neoplasms.
Volume increase	Caused by many reasons. Unable to determine main. The consequences indicate the presence of chronic processes caused by an insufficient amount of iodine or malignant pathology.

Children and problems of endocrinology

An enlarged thyroid gland in a child is a common endocrinological problem. The causes of this disease are:

• lack of iodine;
• bad heredity;
• poor environmental conditions at the place of residence;
• frequent stressful situations;
• unbalanced food.

In order not to miss the onset of the development of thyroid disease and prevent the occurrence of negative complications, it is necessary to undergo a preventive examination by an endocrinologist once every 12 months.

Adolescence

Adolescence is the most vulnerable to the occurrence of various pathological processes. Very often, an increase in the thyroid gland is affected by hormonal changes that occur during the formation of all body functions. Other main reasons include:

• poor heredity in terms of predisposition to the occurrence of this pathology;
• congenital hypothyroidism;
• lack of iodine.

Of the diseases diagnosed in adolescence, three main ones can be distinguished:

• sporadic goiter;
• endemic goiter;
• diffuse toxic goiter.

The occurrence of the first two diseases occurring in the thyroid gland is affected by a lack of iodine. In adolescence, there is an increased need for it.

Diffuse toxic goiter manifests itself only during the period of hormonal adjustment of the teenage organism. The main cause of occurrence can consist of three components:

• infectious diseases;
• the presence of a chronic infectious process in the nasopharynx;
• heredity.

It is possible to make a reliable diagnosis of the disease only at that stage of the pathological process, when it will be visually observed that the thyroid gland is enlarged.

Complications

The thyroid gland belongs to the intrasecretory organs. Its activity affects the proper functioning of the entire holistic organism. Interruptions in the functioning of the thyroid gland lead to the following adverse consequences:

• metabolic processes cease to proceed normally;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• decrease in mental activity;
• neurological disorders;
• the development of diabetes.

Common violations include:

• change in body weight;
• the appearance of insomnia;
• disorders of the digestive system;
• inadequate response to temperature changes.

Even in ancient times, in the absence of treatment, cretinism massively developed.

Thyrotoxic crisis and hypothyroid coma, which occur against the background of incorrect or delayed treatment, can lead to death.

Hypothyroidism causes the following side effects:

• large weight gain;
• neurological pathological conditions associated with the work of the central nervous system;
• decreased performance and general loss of strength;
• the appearance of edema;
• having trouble remembering simple things;
• malfunctions of the cardiovascular system;
• respiratory organs suffer;
• confusion occurs.

Hyperthyroidism will be characterized by the following complications:

• feverish state;
• increased blood pressure;
• delirium and confusion;
• the heart begins to beat faster;
• symptoms of heart failure;
• weight loss.

The general consequences of the pathological process occurring in the thyroid gland include:

• loss of voice
• swallowing dysfunction;
• a cosmetic problem (the seal that occurs in the neck area spoils the appearance very much);
• tachycardia;
• bradycardia;
• the appearance of pathological neurological symptoms;
• increased cholesterol levels;
• thyrotoxic release.