Goiter disease is an enlarged thyroid gland as a result of a lack of iodine in the environment. The endocrine system is very important for a person, since the normal development of a person as a whole depends on its correct activity. The disease is a kind of formation located in the thyroid gland under the thyroid cartilage. Often it can go away on its own without the use of drugs, but sometimes it requires mandatory medical intervention. The nodular goiter of the thyroid gland has its own characteristics. 

There are several types of goiter (morphological varieties):

1. Diffuse.
2. Nodal.
3. Diffuse nodal.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

Nodular goiter is a disease characterized by the presence of thyroid nodules in the anterior region of the neck. It is not a malignant disease, but it can affect the progression of other diseases in the human body. Malignant formation is still possible only in 5 cases out of 100. Therefore, surgery is necessary to remove the nodes. The nodes secrete a huge amount of thyroid hormone, as a result of which the inhibition of the functioning of the thyroid gland begins.  

A huge number of people are not able to find a nodular goiter. The nodes cannot be found by palpation. Only a doctor can see them with an ultrasound examination. Next, the doctor will conduct a survey for symptoms and prescribe the necessary tests. In order to find out how the thyroid gland works as a whole and if there are any malignant tumors, you need to pass the following tests:

1. A blood test for the presence of an amount of thyroid hormone.
2. A picture of the thyroid gland is taken using a video camera and radioactive material.
3. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland. Ultrasound will help determine the number and parameters of the nodes.

WHAT REASONS PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NODE GOITER?

Basically, the nodes of the thyroid gland are formed as a result of the presence of a colloidal proliferating goiter. Rarely, nodules are formed due to tumors of the thyroid gland: benign or malignant. The causes of nodular goiter are not fully understood. But the main ones include:

1. Hereditary predisposition. If your parents or one of them has a nodular goiter, then you will definitely have it.
2. Irradiation of the head and neck.
3. Age-related changes in the thyroid gland.
4. Lack of iodine.

The development of a nodular goiter can be predicted by the symptoms that appear. In medical practice, its symptoms are divided into mechanical and biochemical signs. Mechanical symptoms include an increase in the size of the gland, as a result of which there is pressure on the tissues that are located nearby. Hormones cease to be produced by the gland correctly, a failure of the normal activity of the gland is observed.

A person with nodular goiter has difficulty breathing, his hands begin to tremble, his voice sits down. A persistent dry cough is the main companion of goiter, there is always a “lump” in the throat. Asthma attacks can often be experienced, especially at night. Some have problems with food intake due to pain. The main symptoms of nodular goiter include the following symptoms:

1. Protruding eyes.
2. Irritability appears.
3. Prolonged high temperature is observed.
4. Dry skin.
5. Bump on the neck.

If the nodes on the thyroid gland are quite large, then the person will notice the following symptoms:

1. It is difficult to swallow food.
2. Breathing problems.
3. Rapid heartbeat.
4. Nervousness.
5. Constant tiredness or depression.
6. Memory problems.
7. Rarely there are malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract.

HOW DOES AN EXAMINATION HAPPEN FOR NODULAR GOITER?

Basically, the doctor begins a standard examination using the palpation method. If the patient does not have any problems, the symptoms do not appear and nothing was found on palpation, then the doctor sends the patient for an ultrasound examination. The ultrasound will determine the size, shape, structure and clarity of the nodes. If the nodes are larger than 1 cm in size, then a fine-needle aspiration puncture biopsy will be prescribed, which is performed under the supervision of an ultrasound scan.

The greater the likelihood of malignant nodes increases with parameters such as:

1. Dense knot formation.
2. There is a rapid increase in the parameters of nodular formation.
3. The nodes are tightly connected to the tissues of the thyroid gland.
4. The voice has lost its sonority, it hurts to swallow.
5. If there are relatives in the family who have had thyroid cancer.

After the ultrasound examination revealed the above signs or at least one of them, you must immediately make an appointment with an oncologist, who will check the nodular goiter. Most potential patients are wary of a fine needle biopsy. But it should be noted that today this diagnostic method is safe and proven. In the supine position, a roller is placed under your shoulders. For puncture, syringes of 5-10 ml are used. After the required material is taken, it is sent for a cytological examination.

NON-TOXIC THYROID GOITER

The non-toxic form has a second name – nodular euthyroid goiter of the thyroid gland. It is characterized by the formation of nodes with their subsequent increase in size. With euthyroid goiter, no more than two nodes are formed, where there is no malfunction of the gland. The causes of non-toxic goiter are:

1. Lack of iodine.
2. Failure of hormone metabolism.
3. An increase in the number of thyrocytes .
4. Radioactive radiation.
5. Constant stress, nervous breakdowns and depression.

Nodular goiter of a non-toxic type is classified by degrees. Each degree has its own symptoms and signs, whereby the appropriate treatment is prescribed. The degrees are subdivided into:

1. Nodular goiter 0 degree – in this case, the thyroid gland does not have any formations, palpation is not determined.
2. Non-toxic nodular goiter of the 1st degree is visually impossible to detect. Also, for a goiter of 1 degree, an increase in nodes is characteristic. But with the help of palpation, a goiter of the 1st degree can be palpated.
3. Grade 2 nodular goiter is detected during swallowing and is palpable without problems. Patients with grade 2 nodular goiter have problems with swallowing, neck pain is observed when the head is tilted.
4. Grade 3 nodular goiter is characterized by the fact that the contour of the neck begins to deform under the influence of the thyroid gland. Patients constantly feel fatigue, weakness, lack of appetite, shaking of the limbs is possible. Reduced pressure.
5. Grade 4 nodular goiter is characterized by increased symptoms. In addition, the patient begins to experience difficulty breathing, pain in the throat, the skin becomes dry.
6. Grade 5 nodes are huge, resulting in pressure on the esophagus and trachea. The patient feels the constant presence of a “lump” in the throat, breathing is hard, increased nervousness, chills, the contour of the neck is severely deformed.

NODE TOXIC GOITER AND MIXED TYPE

In medical practice, the disease is subdivided into several types. Each variety has its own distinctive features. Nodular toxic goiter is a disease of the thyroid gland, where a small number of nodes (more than 2 nodes) are formed, which have functional autonomy. It is this functional autonomy that is capable of producing a large number of hormones. Symptoms appear as a result of an increase in the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood. The main symptoms of toxic nodular goiter are the following:

• nails begin to break;
• the pulse reaches an increase of up to 100-120 beats per minute;
• it is impossible to exercise.

In patients with nodular toxic goiter, protrusion of the eyes is usually not observed. This symptom is typical for the diagnosis of diffuse nodular goiter. During such a goiter, the rapid growth of individual nodes begins, therefore, the production of a large level of the hormone occurs. In this case, an excess of hormones is usually called hyperthyroidism. Diffuse-nodular goiter is determined by symptoms such as:

• an increase in the volume of the thyroid gland;
• feeling of pressure on the esophagus and trachea;
• persistent dry cough;
• the presence of a “lump” in the throat;
• the voice becomes hoarse and hoarse.

The above symptoms appear for a number of reasons. The main ones are:

• genetic predisposition;
• the presence of an infection in the body;
• mental disorders;
• age (women often get sick with diffuse-nodular goiter after 50 years);
• lack of iodine.

To determine the degree, you need to consult an endocrinologist. Up to grade 2, palpation may not give results, then the doctor sends for an ultrasound examination. This disease of the 2nd degree can be determined visually, since a bump will be noticeable on the neck. The higher the degree, the harder the goiter is to endure. The shape of the neck becomes thick and ugly. At the 5th degree, the organs are compressed due to the huge proliferation of the thyroid gland.