The thyroid gland, a small organ the size of a cherry, performs a very important function in the body. Violation of its activity can cause a variety of problems – from the appearance of excess weight to the development of cardiovascular diseases. How to recognize the symptoms of thyroid disease in time and prevent the development of complications .

Thyroid function

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck and is shaped like butterfly wings. Its weight in a healthy adult should not exceed 35 g. However, despite such modest dimensions, the tasks before the thyroid gland are truly gigantic. The hormones produced by it take part in all the vital processes of the body:

• temperature regulation;
• neutralization of free radicals (the main culprits of aging);
• normalization of the physical and mental state.

It is the thyroid hormones that help strengthen the immune system and support the viability of T cells that help the human body fight infection.

Thyroid diseases: hypothyroidism

When the level of hormones produced by the thyroid gland decreases, all vital processes are slowed down (develops   hypothyroidism). Symptoms appear that people most often tend to attribute to the “fatigue syndrome” that is fashionable in our time.

In order not to miss the signs of the development of this thyroid disease, it is recommended to analyze your own condition from time to time. The development of hypothyroidism may indicate:

• frequent weakness, apathy, sharp deterioration of mood (up to depression);
• memory impairment and decreased performance, the appearance of problems with concentration;
• feeling chill, poor cold tolerance;
• weight gain with poor appetite, and it is very difficult to lose the gained kilograms, even dieting and playing sports;
• appearance of swelling of the face, hands and feet;
• slow heart rate (bradycardia);
• brittle and dull nail color;
• violation of the menstruation cycle, up to their complete cessation, and during menopause, on the contrary, frequent and heavy uterine bleeding.

If you find such signs in yourself, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism   – This is another type of thyroid disease. In this case, the opposite situation is observed when the level of hormone production rises. The main cause of hyperthyroidism is an increase in the size of the thyroid gland.

The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

• irritability and mood swings;
• weight loss with increased appetite;
• hyperhidrosis, that is, poor heat tolerance;
• disorders of cardiovascular activity –   tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension;
• dizziness, insomnia, hand shake;
• hair loss, brittle nails;
• appearance of vision problems, pain in the eyes and lacrimation, in some cases – changing the shape and size of the eyes.

The presence of one, and even more so, several symptoms is a reason to turn to an endocrinologist.

Diagnosis of diseases and treatment of the thyroid gland

Examination of the thyroid gland begins, as a rule, with a blood test for hormones. If this study is carried out in a private clinic, the patient should ask that he be given a detailed analysis, and not just a medical conclusion about whether or not the level of hormones corresponds to normal values.

The next stage of diagnosis is ultrasound. Such a procedure is especially important when suspected changes in the structure of the thyroid gland – for example, the appearance of nodes. These are parts of the organ that differ from the rest of the tissue in density, volume, and sometimes in structure. As a rule, the nodes do not interfere with the normal operation of the thyroid gland. If they do not exceed 1 cm in diameter and do not cause inconvenience to the patient, there is no need for additional examination and treatment of the thyroid gland. It will be enough annual prophylactic examinations. When larger sites are found, the doctor may prescribe additional procedures to determine the nature of the tumor.

Even if the examination revealed violations of the thyroid gland, this should not be a reason for panic. Currently, treatment of the thyroid gland gives good results.

In case of insufficient hormone production, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed, which does not adversely affect the quality of human life.

And if hormone production is increased, the doctor prescribes the use of drugs that inhibit the activity of the thyroid gland. The greatest effectiveness of this method is observed in the treatment of diseases at an early stage.

In difficult situations, surgical treatment of the thyroid gland (removal) or its destruction using radioactive iodine.

And even the complete removal of an organ is not a sentence. After the operation, the patient is prescribed hormone replacement therapy. Compliance with all the recommendations of the doctor allows a person to live, as before the operation, without limiting himself in anything.

Prevention of thyroid disease

In order to reduce the likelihood of thyroid disease, it is recommended to observe the following preventive measures:

• if possible, instead of the usual cooking use iodized salt;
• at least every other day to eat foods that contain large amounts of iodine – sea kale, fish and seafood;
• For better assimilation of iodine, it is desirable to include whole-grain bread, dried fruits, vegetables, greens, nuts (except peanuts) and seeds in the diet;
• will not be superfluous green tea and dogrose broth;
• but marinades, canned foods, sugar, margarine and sauces should be excluded from the diet.

A healthy lifestyle, keeping a daily routine, proper nutrition, protection from direct sunlight and regular check-ups are the five main components of thyroid health. If you give it enough attention, the thyroid gland will probably reciprocate and will best supply the body with hormones.