Te who undergo regular checkups, true to the principle: forewarned – is forearmed. A well-timed disease is indeed treated more effectively, but even with careful verification, it is impossible to foresee everything. Sometimes we strive to find the disease where it is not, and we take the symptoms of the disease as a banal overwork and the effects of stress. However, the usual malaise may hide a serious problem, in particular the dysfunction of the thyroid gland, an organ without which a healthy metabolism is impossible.
According to the American Thyroid Association, about 20 million Americans suffer from some form of thyroid disease. 60% of them are still not aware of this. In Russia, these pathologies have affected, according to various sources, from 15 to 40% of the population, and every second person in Moscow and the Moscow region has malfunctions in the thyroid gland. Despite this prevalence, the disease is difficult to recognize immediately: its symptoms are characteristic of many disorders. Why do we need the thyroid gland, how to recognize violations in its work and what preventive measures to take now, we asked the candidate of medical sciences, endocrinologist Yuri Poteshkin.
Why do we need a thyroid gland?
When it comes to the thyroid gland, we recall, at best, an advertisement for iodized salt, hardly knowing what the organ is and how it works. Nevertheless, many important processes in our body occur precisely because of it. Iron is actively involved in the metabolism – it secretes hormones that affect the work of almost all organs and tissues. Thyroxine, or T4, is its main product. It determines how a variety of changes occur in our body: the growth and development of the organism, the strength of bones, the heart rate, even the thickness of the inner lining of the uterus depend on thyroxin. Our mental abilities, appetite, and sleep also regulate thyroxin.
So, when the thyroid function is disturbed and the level of T4 is no longer normal, almost all systems in the body fail, and we immediately feel bad. In addition, the thyroid gland is closely connected with the central nervous system. The amount of thyroxin is monitored by thyrotropic hormone (TSH), which is produced in the pituitary gland. As soon as a problem arises, the brain reacts first to it: our behavior and emotional state may change, even to a non-recognition . In this case, you need to be especially careful: perhaps the brain tells us that something went wrong.
Is it true that all problems are due to lack of iodine?
Malfunctions in the work of the thyroid gland are connected with its direct responsibility – the production of thyroxin: in case of violations it produces either too little or more than the norm. There are many factors that influence dysfunction, and it is sometimes difficult to say exactly what is to blame. More often, problems arise because of genetic predisposition and iodine deficiency . Iodine is really needed: it is his atoms that make up the hormone thyroxin. Researchers estimate that about every third person on the planet lives with a lack of iodine in the body. At a rate of 150 micrograms of substance per day (250 micrograms during pregnancy and 290 during lactation), in some regions iodine consumption is reduced to 50, and sometimes to 25 micrograms per day.
Deviations of the thyroid gland may not manifest itself. It depends on a number of circumstances, so that heredity and iodine deficiency are not always a cause for concern. Even if the parents had a disorder of the thyroid gland, this does not mean that the children are certainly waiting for the same thing, although, of course, the risks are higher than those of people without a predisposition.
What is the risk of thyroid disease?
When there is too little T4 in the body, hypothyroidism develops. Then the metabolism slows down, excess fluid and decomposition products are worse displayed, a person gains weight. There are many reasons for its occurrence, and lack of iodine may be one of them. Another cause of hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroiditis: in this case, the immune system takes the thyroid gland for a dangerous foreign body and begins to destroy it. Cells become small, and the level of thyroxin is reduced. Thyroiditis can develop at any age, but it is more common in women over 45, although men and children are also not immune from the disease.
If the level of thyroxin increases, hyperthyroidism occurs (it is also called thyrotoxicosis). Excess hormone poisons the body, metabolic processes are separated, the cells can not hold energy, and body weight is reduced. The cause of hyperthyroidism may be Graves disease . This autoimmune disease causes the thyroid gland to release thyroxin in larger quantities than needed. Sometimes it happens that the body stops working against itself, the T4 level drops to normal, and the person recovers, but the likelihood of such an outcome is only 30%. Mainly women also become victims of hyperthyroidism: they are sick 10 times more often than men. You can encounter a disorder at any age, but, as a rule, it is diagnosed at the age of 20–40.
Fatigue, depression, weight gain. Time to see a doctor?
To think about visiting an endocrinologist is worth it, if you have not noticed for a day or two, you have all the symptoms of overwork. It may turn out that this is not a consequence of stress, but hypothyroidism. When hypothyroidism mental activity is dulled, a person can not think as quickly and clearly as before, memory brings. But usually this state does not cause any special suspicions. We are accustomed to think that we are not in shape, because we are tired or have not slept, and mental activity deteriorates with age – and this is normal. The latter assumption is often explained by old people who are unwell, not suspecting that it can be caused by hypothyroidism. The emotional state can also talk about problems with the thyroid gland. When hypothyroidism occurs sullen mood and low self-esteem. It may seem that depression has come, but these symptoms may be hiding a completely different disease.
Hyperthyroidism is manifested differently. The central nervous system is more active than usual, but weakness and confusion prevent it from gathering. The condition of a person with hyperthyroidism resembles a fever: there is a feeling of heat and sweating. Emotional instability sets in: sudden mood swings, tearfulness and aggression, that is, behavior that we can take for a nervous breakdown are typical signs of hyperthyroidism. Doctors also note that often people with hyperthyroidism are sure of their unconditional correctness. The problem is that thyrotoxicosis is a serious illness. Because of it, heart failure develops, it affects the muscles and many internal organs. So, if the diagnosis is confirmed, do not delay treatment.
With thyroid dysfunction, the appearance suffers no less than anything else. Hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin, an increase or decrease in body weight – these are signs in which it is time to sound the alarm. Hypothyroidism also affects the female body in terms of reproductive health. Often, the menstrual cycle is broken, infertility develops. The latter is due to an increase in the hormone prolactin, which prevents ovulation. Therefore, before starting an infertility treatment, you must make sure that the thyroid gland works as it should.
What tests should be taken?
To distinguish diseases of the gland from depression or winter apathy, it is enough to pass a blood test that will show the level of TSH (for hypothyroidism, for example, the rate will be high), as well as to pass the gland palpation from an endocrinologist. If he finds a neoplasm (nodes), he can prescribe an ultrasound of the gland. In 95% of cases, the nodes are not dangerous, but there are also malignant tumors. Thyroid cancer is less common than other cancers, but each year it is diagnosed in 8,000 people. So, as soon as the node appears, you need to check it.
When palpation and ultrasound is not enough for an accurate diagnosis, experts prescribe a fine needle biopsy to determine the nature of the tumor. If the node is benign, then it is just regularly observed, and malignant is the indication for removal of the thyroid gland. After the operation, the drug with thyroxin takes over its functions. It is necessary to check the condition of the thyroid gland at least once a year, but studies are carried out when there are indications for this. If the level of hormones is not elevated, the endocrinologist did not see and did not feel any formations in the gland, no need to worry. But, in order to prevent possible violations, you should still ask the specialist how to keep the thyroid gland in shape.
What to do for prevention?
Prevention of diseases of the gland is simple: endocrinologists advise to monitor sufficient iodine intake. It is believed that for this you can replace the usual salt iodized. If you do not eat salt or are not ready to rely on the effectiveness of this method, it does not matter: the effect of iodinesupplements is no different, but it is important to coordinate the intake of drugs with your doctor.
Do not self-diagnose and self-medicate. When it comes to hormones, even the smallest violations can affect the work of the whole organism. Iodine is not a panacea, and in large doses it can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. And most importantly, it is useless to take it if hypothyroidism is already detected. In this case, the specialist will prescribe therapy for thyroxin replenishment: one tablet will take over all the responsibilities of the thyroid gland. However, if hypothyroidism has developed, it is no longer possible to return to life without the drug: the natural functions of the gland will not recover.
For the health of the thyroid gland, it is necessary for the body as a whole to work without serious failures. Here an important role is played by a balanced diet, which includes iodine-containing products. These are fish (especially cod, herring, halibut), seafood, and some algae. However, whether to use the latter is a big question. Beef liver, eggs and milk are also rich in iodine, and onions, sorrel, cabbage are made from vegetables.
Regular sleep, physical activity and regular tests, and examinations will help control your body and avoid health worries. Despite the fact that the thyroid gland is not very susceptible to external stimuli, it suffers greatly from smoking. This bad habit negates all prevention and increases the risk of diseases of the gland up to 80 percent. In addition, it is important to prevent mechanical damage to the body, such as blows to the neck. Iron is located almost under the skin and needs care.
Trying to protect yourself from problems with the thyroid gland, it is worth remembering that no preventive measure provides full guarantees. If the work of the gland is impaired, treatment cannot be neglected, even if at first the problem does not seem serious.