World Thyroid Day has been celebrated annually on May 25 since 2008. On this day, events are held in different countries of the world, the purpose of which is to raise the level of awareness of the population about diseases of the thyroid gland, methods of their treatment and prevention.
Thyroid diseases are very common!
Thus, a decrease in thyroid function develops in 2% of people and 8% of people over 60 years old, thyroid nodules are detected by modern methods in almost 30% of adults, goiter is an increase in the size of the thyroid gland in regions of iodine deficiency, which, unfortunately, includes all of Russia. , occurs in 10 – 30% of the population. A similar situation is developing in most countries of the world and the number of patients with thyroid diseases is measured in tens of millions. At least 1/3 of the world’s population suffers from various diseases of the thyroid gland.
Today the vast majority of thyroid diseases are curable, and in some cases, preventable!
The latter concerns diseases associated with iodine deficiency in the diet. Iodine deficiency, contrary to popular beliefs, leads not only to an increase in the size of the thyroid gland, but, acting, for example, on the body of a pregnant woman, can lead to irreversible changes in the nervous system of the fetus, the extreme manifestation of which is cretinism, accompanied by severe mental retardation. Thanks to the programs of universal iodization of table salt, iodine deficiency has been eliminated in many countries, but remains in the Russian Federation.
The widespread awareness of the population about the thyroid gland partly rendered it a “disservice”, as it led to the widespread use of dietary supplements “for the thyroid gland” and handicraft, which have no analogues in world medical practice, methods of “treatment” of its diseases.
A little about the thyroid gland
The thyroid gland has a number of structural features.
The thyroid gland is one of the largest human endocrine glands.
It produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism, affecting the growth and development of the body. Thyroid hormones help regulate oxygen consumption by the body’s tissues, they are responsible for the normal functioning of the immune system: they stimulate its cells, with the help of which the body has to fight infections.
Thus, the thyroid gland affects all aspects of a person’s life, including even his mood and appearance.
The thyroid gland is considered the “first violin” in the endocrine ensemble, controlled by the higher centers of the brain – the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
The main function of the thyroid gland is to synthesize T4 and T3, which are necessary for the maturation, growth and functioning of virtually all body tissues.
The peculiarity of thyroid hormones is the presence of several (three or four) iodine atoms in their molecules. Therefore, iodine plays an essential role in the function of the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland absorbs about 60 mcg of iodine per day; iodine losses (mainly with urine) are about 110-170 mkg / day . Therefore, the recommended doses of iodine are at least 100 μg / day .
For adults – 150 μg / day of potassium iodide, for pregnant women – 200-300 μg / day , for children 90-120 μg / day .
The thyroid gland is fully formed by the 8th – 9th month of intrauterine development of the fetus. And hormones in it begin to be produced already in the fifth week of fetal development. By the end of the first year of a person’s life, the mass of the gland doubles, and it grows especially intensively during puberty and by the age of 18-20 its mass increases 20 times!
Causes of thyroid disorders
– lack of iodine in food or its excess
– hereditary predisposition
– Malfunctions of the immune system and poor ecology
– taking certain medications
– Stress and irregular working hours
– Constant sleep deprivation and chronic infection
Diseases of the thyroid gland are dangerous because disturbances in its work are often disguised as symptoms of diseases of other organs. Therefore, an unsuspecting person does not go to an endocrinologist for help, but to other specialists.
Reduced production of thyroid hormones is manifested in weight gain and increased cholesterol content, weakness, drowsiness, increased fatigue, swelling of the face and extremities, depression, sleep disturbances, menstrual cycle, decreased potency (men). Dry skin, brittle nails and hair, constipation, weak throbbing, impaired memory and attention can be signs of thyroid dysfunction.
With increased production of thyroid hormones, complaints of general weakness, malaise, insomnia and irritability occur. There is an increase in blood pressure, tremors in the limbs or throughout the body, weight loss even with adequate nutrition, menstrual irregularities (women) and decreased potency (men). In addition, there is increased sweating, heat intolerance, loose stools, irregularities in the heart, tachycardia (heart palpitations). Visual impairment is possible, manifested in unpleasant sensations in the eyes, double vision, protrusion of the eyeballs.
If such symptoms appear, an urgent consultation with an endocrinologist is required!
Prevention
The surest weapon against thyroid disease is a healthy lifestyle. With one important caveat: this is exclusively about prevention, not about treatment.
Watch what you eat: eat in accordance with your energy expenditure. The diet should not contain an abundance of fatty foods and foods high in sugar, as well as fried, smoked, salted, foods that increase the level of cholesterol in your blood. At the same time, the daily menu must necessarily include the iodine rate necessary for the body. If its source is only natural products, then experts rule out the possibility of an overdose.
You should definitely add sea, freshwater fish and seafood to your diet . Seaweed is a real storehouse of iodine. 100 grams of cabbage contains not only 500 μg of this essential mineral, but also active substances that allow the body to absorb iodine.
You need to remember about the consumption of vegetables and fruits, regardless of the season. When choosing these products, proceed from the calculation that the iodine content in them depends on the initial amount of iodine in the soil (for example, in a mountainous area – it is 10-100 times less than the average).
It has long been known that the consumption of iodized salt in food is one of the most effective prevention methods. For 1 gram of fresh iodized salt, there are about 40 mcg of iodine.
Weight is always under control – The thyroid gland is able to “control” our body weight. When its activity changes (it either decreases or increases), the metabolic rate changes and this is reflected in the weight of a person’s body, he either loses weight or gains weight . If you notice rapid changes in your body weight for no apparent reason, you should immediately contact a specialist.
Physical education should be done under the slogan “Everything in moderation!” We are talking about daily activities – morning exercises, small warm-ups while working in the office, walks. Moderate exertion will have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland, heart, respiratory system, tone muscles and lower cholesterol levels.
A strict taboo on smoking and alcohol – If you are not indifferent to your health, then you need to give up bad habits: both tobacco smoke and alcohol have a destructive effect not only on the entire body, but also on the thyroid gland in particular. Thiocyanate , which is part of the smoke, interferes with the synthesis of hormones and the correct absorption of iodine. Smoking is especially harmful during the course of treatment, since the toxic components interfere with the action of drugs. There is a scientific hypothesis that smoking interferes with the correct diagnosis of patients with hypothyroidism. Don’t forget about your family. Experts are unanimous in the fact that the blood of newborn children of smoking parents contains a higher concentration of harmful substances compared to other children.
Alcohol consumption can increase thyroid function, thereby increasing the likelihood of infertility, miscarriages, and premature birth.