The thyroid gland is a human organ that is responsible for the functioning of the whole organism. Often, the thyroid gland is susceptible to various pathologies, one of which is thyroid hyperplasia. Hyperplasia is a pathology in which an enlargement of the thyroid gland occurs, and its normal functioning is also disrupted. There are several types of hyperplasia.
Kinds
Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland is divided into diffuse, nodular and diffuse-nodular hyperplasia.
- Diffuse hyperplasia is characterized by a uniform symmetrical enlargement of the organ. This condition is not considered a serious pathology if the thyroid gland does not reach a significant size. Diffuse hyperplasia requires constant monitoring. But serious treatment is not required for the patient. The main danger is the gradual transition of diffuse hyperplasia into the nodal form of the disease.
- Nodular hyperplasia of the thyroid gland is a single or multiple formations (nodes) in the thyroid gland. The knots are quite dense to the touch. Their development is associated with an uneven increase in thyroid tissue. Nodules appear over the entire area of the organ, but they can affect one lobe of the thyroid gland. This condition requires the supervision of a physician. There is a risk of malignancy (rebirth), so the patient should be monitored.
- Diffuse-nodular thyroid hyperplasia is a combined enlargement option. The gland enlarges completely, with nodes present in it. A comprehensive examination of the patient is important.
Development reasons
Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland develops as a result of an increased amount of thyroid-stimulating hormones, which affect the thyroid gland (thanks to them, the functioning of the thyroid gland is controlled). The pituitary gland too actively stimulates the thyroid gland, as a result of which its cells begin to increase in size.
Hormonal disorders in the body can be caused by various reasons. These include:
- lack of iodine, which is necessary for the production of hormones;
- autoimmune diseases, immune disorders in the body;
- congenital hormonal pathologies;
- the influence of hormonal drugs (for example, contraceptives);
- adverse environmental conditions;
- work in hazardous industries, the effects of toxic substances;
- irradiation.
There may also be other reasons why thyroid pathologies develop.
Symptoms
Nodular hyperplasia can develop asymptomatically for a long time. But gradually the symptoms begin to appear.
As a result of squeezing the surrounding tissues, serious disorders of swallowing and respiratory process develop. There is also a change in voice, it becomes hoarse, the timbre of the voice changes, and a cough may appear. The blood supply to nearby tissues and organs is also disrupted. Blood vessels can be damaged, resulting in bleeding and a significant increase in the neck area. Patients develop pain.
Nodular hyperplasia can also be accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, arrhythmia. The patient may experience depressive states, he becomes irritable, sleep disorders develop.
Diagnostics
With a significant size of hyperplasia, pathology can be detected by palpation. The doctor sends the patient to laboratory tests, with the help of which a low level of thyroid hormones in the body is detected. At the same time, the level of thyroid-stimulating hormones is increased.
To visualize the state of the organ, ultrasound and a radioisotope study of the thyroid gland are used. Nodular hyperplasia also requires a biopsy to determine the nature of the lesions.
Treatment
Treatment of nodular hyperplasia of the thyroid gland should preferably be carried out after determining the cause of its development. Medical treatment consists in the use of hormonal drugs.
After the examination, the doctor can, for certain indications, recommend surgical treatment. After removal, a histological examination is performed to make an accurate diagnosis.
Radioactive iodine treatment can be used instead of surgical treatment. Injection treatment is also used, in which the drug is injected directly into the node itself. But this method is not used if the patient has multinodular hyperplasia of the thyroid gland.