Quite often, the term “diffuse changes in the thyroid gland” is used in the results of an ultrasound examination, but what such a conclusion means is not deciphered.
Diffuse changes are a deviation in the ability of the thyroid tissue to reflect sound during ultrasound diagnostics, due to pathological changes in the structure of the organ.
Reasons for development
Thyroid disorders can be caused by:
- diseases of internal organs;
- a significant deterioration in the state of the environment in the region of the patient’s residence;
- the presence of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
- lack of iodine in the body;
- decreased immunity;
- malnutrition;
- a significant number of stress factors, depressive conditions;
- harmful production factors;
- overweight and obesity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- endocrine diseases;
- autoimmune diseases.
Most often, diffuse changes are caused by thyroiditis and various types of goiter.
Signs of pathology
Diffuse changes are manifested as seals, heterogeneity in the structure of the tissue and the surface of the gland (while there are no focal anomalies), an increase in size, blurring and fuzziness of the contours of the organ, hormonal imbalance.
Growth in size and structural abnormalities can lead to the appearance of a goiter (diffuse or nodular).
Hormonal disorders are manifested in the form of:
- hyperthyroidism (increased amount of gland hormones);
- hypothyroidism (low levels of hormones).
Sometimes hormonal abnormalities may be absent.
It is possible to determine that such a condition is observed in an individual by the following symptoms:
- hormonal disorders;
- depressive states, neuroses, psychoses;
- weight fluctuations not due to nutrition;
- reduced performance;
- constant feeling of aches and pains in the muscles, frequent chills;
- problems with bowel movements;
- decreased sexual function;
- decreased immunity (frequent colds);
- deterioration of hair, nails and skin;
- memory impairment, reduced concentration, intellectual abilities;
- chronic fatigue, weakness, lethargy.
Types of change
Diffuse changes in the thyroid gland are classified depending on the causes:
- By
type of thyroiditis:
- changes in the type of autoimmune thyroiditis (by the type of AIT) – disorders caused by autoimmune thyroiditis;
- changes in the type of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (according to the type of HAIT) – disorders caused by chronic autoimmune thyroiditis;
- disorders caused by acute thyroiditis;
- Violations caused by various types of goiter.
Forms
There are several forms of diffuse changes:
- Changes in the structure – a violation of the structure of the tissues of the organ (compaction and increase in volume). At the initial stages of development, symptoms may be absent, deviations are detected during palpation by an endocrinologist. Hormonal disorders rarely appear in the initial stages of the disease.
- Nodular changes are a parenchymal neoplasm surrounded by a capsule that separates the healthy tissues of the organ from the node. The nature of the violation is to increase the follicles of the gland. A significant increase in nodes affects neighboring tissues and organs. Benign nodes can degenerate into malignant ones. Therefore, patients are recommended regular visits to the endocrinologist. The appearance of nodes can be a symptom of carcinoma, fibrocystic adenoma, nodular colloid goiter.
- Parenchymal change. The thyroid parenchyma is an epithelial functional tissue; its structure is a set of vesicles (follicles) of different sizes, around which blood vessels are located. The function of these follicles is the production of the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. With a diffuse change in the parenchyma, the size of the organ increases and, accordingly, the tissue of the parenchyma is disturbed; hormonal imbalances are often observed. This form of pathology can be detected during palpation.
- Diffuse-focal change – the occurrence in the tissues of the gland of areas with diffuse-heterogeneous changes in the structure. The tissue around such neoplasms has an unchanged structure. Foci with altered tissue structure can be cysts, teratomas, adenomas, paragangliomas , hemangiomas, lipomas, oncological neoplasms. Focal pathologies are characteristic of malignant and benign pathological processes: mixed goiter, nodular goiter, cancer, adenoma.
- Cystic changes – an increase in the size of the organ with the simultaneous formation of cysts in the tissues of the gland. Cysts consist of an outer capsule and a cavity filled with a fluid containing hormones (colloids). Purulent inflammatory processes can develop in cysts; these formations are characterized by the acquisition of a malignant nature.
- Pronounced changes are a significant increase in the size of the gland, which may be accompanied by the appearance of cystic or nodular neoplasms in the tissues, as well as disturbed hormonal balance. This type of pathology is most common in autoimmune thyroiditis, and hyperthyroidism in Graves’ disease ( Graves ‘ disease ).
- Moderate changes – a slight uniform increase in the volume of the organ, without knots and seals, without deviations in the tissue structure. Hormonal imbalance is not observed. Similar symptoms have and hyperplasia of the thyroid gland with diffuse changes.
Diagnostics
Diffuse changes can be diagnosed during an ultrasound examination (according to echo signs) or during a planned visit to an endocrinologist, who, during palpation, analyzes the size, density and uniformity of the tissues of the organ.
The normal volume of the thyroid gland is 22 cm³ for men and 19 cm³ for women.
Ultrasound reveals the following echographic signs of diffuse changes:
- blurry fuzzy contours of the organ;
- heterogeneity of tissues (manifested by lighter areas);
- focal changes (nodular, cystic);
- impaired blood flow (increased or reduced);
- tissue echogenicity .
Reduced echogenicity is determined by the darker tone of the organ relative to the surrounding tissues and organs. Increased echogenicity appears as a lighter shade of gray on the screen of the ultrasound machine.
These echoes in the results of ultrasound are the reason for a more detailed study. A comprehensive examination includes tests for hormones: triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and antibody titer.
Therapy Methods
Diffuse changes in the thyroid gland are not an independent diagnosis, but a conclusion based on the results of ultrasound about the presence of signs of disorders in the tissues of the thyroid gland. To establish the diagnosis and choose the tactics of therapy, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist.
With an enlarged gland, preparations containing iodine are prescribed (Potassium Iodide, Iodomarin , Iodide), and it is recommended to eat iodine-containing foods (legumes, eggs, herbs, processed cheese, seafood, buckwheat, seaweed and others).
Elevated antibody titers are indicative of an autoimmune inflammatory disease. In chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, the supervision of an endocrinologist is necessary. Women planning to conceive may need treatment.
With an increased level of hormones , thyreostatics are prescribed ( Carbimazole , Thiamazole).
If the level of hormones is low, synthetic analogues of thyroxine and triiodothyronine are indicated ( Levothyroxine sodium, Liothyronine ).
With a significant growth of the organ, compression of the surrounding tissues and organs may occur. In this case, it is necessary to use surgical methods of treatment. In order to prevent the recurrence of the disease, synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones are prescribed.
Thyroid Disease Prevention
To prevent violations, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- eat foods rich in iodine;
- avoid harmful production factors, the negative impact of the environment;
- adhere to proper nutrition;
- get rid of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
- avoid stress factors;
- carry out weight adjustment under the supervision of a gastroenterologist and nutritionist;
- perform an annual preventive examination by an endocrinologist.