Hypoplasia of the thyroid gland is a congenital pathological condition that develops extremely rarely and is an underdevelopment of the gland. Hypoplasia today is called atrophy or a decrease in the size of the thyroid gland, which is accompanied by disturbances in the production of hormones and a sharp slowdown in the tissues of the gland.

Symptoms

As you know, the thyroid gland is one of the vital organs that produces hormones – special substances that have the most direct impact on many metabolic processes in the human body and the growth of healthy cells.

In most cases, hypoplasia develops in the fetus in the prenatal period, however, the first signs of the disease can appear at any age. Most often, hypoplasia of the left lobe of the thyroid gland is observed, in which the organ has a significantly reduced size, a reduced level of hormone production is observed, or this process is completely absent.

The main danger of this disease is that for a long time the clinical picture is completely absent, the disease is asymptomatic. Characteristic echo signs of pathology can appear only under the condition of the onset of conditions favorable for this.

Causes of the disease

Signs of thyroid hypoplasia in adults may include:

• various diseases of the pituitary gland, in which the functioning of the thyroid gland is significantly reduced;
• excess iodine, prolonged treatment with radioactive iodine;
• long-term use of thyreostatic drugs that have a negative effect on the synthesis of thyroid hormones and are used to treat hyperfunction of the gland;
• oncological diseases of the thyroid gland;
• senile age, at which there is a deterioration in the functioning of all internal organs, including the thyroid gland.

Causes of hypoplasia in children:

• lack of iodine in the body of a pregnant woman often leads to thyroid hypoplasia in a child;
• the hereditary factor has not the last influence on the development of the disease;
• toxicosis in the mother, which appeared in late pregnancy;
• defects of intrauterine genesis – most often we are talking about Down’s syndrome;
• autoimmune diseases of the expectant mother;
• taking hormonal drugs by a pregnant woman;
• the harmful effects of radiation or toxic substances on the body of the expectant mother.

Symptoms of hypoplasia

The main signs of thyroid hypoplasia develop gradually over many years. These signs of the disease include:

• deterioration in the general condition of the skin, nails and hair – the skin becomes dry and flaky, hair brittleness and increased loss, nails become thin and weak;
• appetite, in most cases, is completely absent – at the same time, body weight is rapidly increasing;
• general weakness, increased fatigue, constant drowsiness;
• memory impairment, decreased body temperature;
• constant tremor in the muscles;
• sexual desire is practically absent;
• menstrual flow becomes extremely long and profuse.

The main echo sign in the process of diagnosing the disease is the determination of the exact size of the thyroid gland and its compliance with age norms. The dimensions of the organ are determined in the course of the ultrasound examination.

In children, the symptoms of thyroid hypoplasia look somewhat different, and can be expressed as follows: a teenager has constant drowsiness, decreased appetite, increased weakness and fatigue. The child may simply refuse food, he has constant digestive problems – constipation or diarrhea.

Stages of the disease

Hypoplasia of the thyroid gland has 2 degrees of development – mild and complicated. With a mild degree, the disease practically does not manifest itself in any way, the symptoms do not appear, the glands do not change their size.

The second degree of the disease is characterized by noticeable manifestations of the main signs of the disease, while the thyroid gland decreases in size. In the absence of proper treatment, pathology entails severe and irreversible consequences, including cretinism and the occurrence of myxedema.

Treatment of hypoplasia

The success and effectiveness of the treatment of thyroid hypoplasia entirely depend on the timeliness of the treatment started. The earlier treatment was started, the faster the progression of the existing disease is inhibited. Conversely, in adults, treatment started in the later stages of the disease can lead to severe hormonal disruptions in the body. In this case, the death of a person is not excluded.

Treatment of thyroid hypoplasia is prescribed by an endocrinologist who will conduct a complete medical examination and prescribe to the patient all the necessary laboratory tests. Most often, the basis of the treatment process is hormone replacement therapy, which involves a long course of taking individually selected hormonal drugs that compensate for the lack of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland.

It is worth noting that hormone replacement therapy is prescribed not for a certain period of time, but for life. A person who has been diagnosed with thyroid hypoplasia must take special hormonal preparations throughout his life to compensate for the lack of functioning of the thyroid gland.

In addition to the mandatory drug therapy, the treatment course also includes gymnastics, massage, which are necessary for the effective normalization of muscle tone.

Traditional medicine in the fight against hypoplasia

Treatment with folk remedies can be an excellent addition to conservative therapy for thyroid hypoplasia.

• Excellent results are obtained by alcohol tincture of celandine. To prepare it, a dry or fresh plant must be finely chopped and poured with 250 ml of vodka, tightly close the medicine container and put in a dark and dry place for 3 weeks. Scheme of application – the first day 2 drops of tincture, diluted in 50 ml of water. Every day the number of drops increases by 2, reaching up to 16 drops. This number of drops is taken for 30 days.
• An effective remedy can be prepared from a walnut. The recipe requires only partitions of walnuts, which are mixed with buckwheat and honey in equal proportions. Treatment lasts a day, during which every 2-3 hours you need to take a tablespoon of medicine. After that, pause for 7 days and repeat the therapy.
• 100 g of subpestilence should be poured with 200 ml of vodka, after which the product should be put in a dark place for 21 days. The finished medicine is recommended to take 1 tablespoon three times a day.

It should be remembered that all disorders that have developed against the background of an endocrine disease in an adult are considered irreversible, and no hormonal drugs can restore lost functionality to an organ. Treatment of a child at an early age makes it possible to stop irreversible consequences, and the child will be able to avoid severe defective consequences.