Today, a fairly large number of people suffer from thyroid diseases . There are many reasons – stresses, unfavorable ecological situation, lack of nutrients in food. Ultrasound will help identify possible problems with this critical organ.  

Thyroid function in the human body

The thyroid gland is a small organ in the shape of a butterfly, located under the larynx of a person. She is responsible for the regulation of metabolism and the production of iodine-containing hormones – thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These hormones are necessary to ensure proper metabolism, as well as the work of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. They are responsible for the sexual function and nervous system of a person. It is no coincidence that for problems with sexual desire, irritability, and increased anxiety, they recommend “checking hormones”. All these symptoms can indicate problems in the thyroid gland.

Most often, endocrine problems are caused by increased or decreased thyroid function. With increased function in a person, such unpleasant symptoms as weight loss, heart palpitations, and increased irritability can be observed. Reduced function is characterized by a decrease in working capacity, rapid fatigue and the appearance of excess weight.

Since the thyroid gland is one of the most important organs for a person, the general state of health and relations with others depend on the proper functioning of it, so you need to know as much as possible about its condition. An ultrasound will help to obtain information about its appearance and structure, and a blood test – about the content of hormones in the body. It is best to treat her diseases on the recommendation of an endocrinologist.  

What thyroid ultrasound shows

An important step in identifying and solving possible problems in the human endocrine system should be an ultrasound of the thyroid gland. Today it is done as prescribed by a doctor, and voluntarily for information. Ultrasound allows you to get information about the structure of the body and the presence of changes in its structure.

Healthy gland has a homogeneous structure and a size of not more than 18 cubic centimeters in women and not more than 25 cubic centimeters in men. When palpating with fingers, it should be soft and mobile. If the structure is heterogeneous, and the gland itself is enlarged, then this is a sign of diseases such as goiter. The heterogeneity of the structure can also be an indicator of pathologies, and neoplasms without a clear structure can indicate the presence of an oncological disease.

Although the results of ultrasound of the thyroid gland are an essential indicator of the correctness of its work, the patient will get a more complete picture only by the results of a blood test for the level of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). With a high level of TSH in humans, rapid fatigue, irritability, and decreased vision are observed. It can also be evidence of diseases of the central nervous system, adrenal dysfunction, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and many others. If TSH is lowered, then among the common unpleasant symptoms are weakness, drowsiness, headaches, memory impairment. TSH decreases with the occurrence of neoplasms, toxic goiter and various mental illnesses.

If a person has a change in hormone levels, then this is by no means a sentence. Endocrine problems are successfully resolved by timely contact a qualified endocrinologist who prescribes the appropriate treatment.

Thyroid Disease Prevention

The most common causes of endocrine disruption are an unfavorable environmental situation, stress, and, above all, iodine deficiency in the body. The incidence rate among children is quite high – every fourth child is born with endocrine disorders.

One of the most common means of preventing endocrine diseases remains the active consumption of foods with a high content of iodine – iodized salt, seafood, sea kale. People living in regions with iodine deficiency should pay attention to their diet and include these foods in their diet.  

Other products that prevent endocrine disorders include nuts, green tea, honey, dried fruits, vegetables, lemons. Confectionery, canned goods, sauces, ketchups and fast food products are not recommended for use.

In addition to proper nutrition, prevention includes sports and yoga. An ideal option for a person would be minimizing stress at work and a general reduction of annoying factors in the form of interpersonal conflicts and negative news on TV or the Internet.

If there is a lack of iodine in the body, the endocrinologist may prescribe medications or biologically active additives. You should not self-medicate and take inside an alcoholic solution of iodine, which is used to heal wounds – it can lead to burns of the mucous membrane of the mouth or stomach and even poisoning.

Dysfunction of the endocrine system is a serious problem for the human body, as it has a negative effect on the functioning of all body systems, mainly the nervous and cardiovascular, as well as sexual function. Endocrine disorders in women are much more common than in men. This is due to the fact that the hormonal background of women is subject to changes due to physiological reasons – the onset of menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause. In men, diseases such as endemic goiter, hypothyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis are more common.

The most important preventive measure to solve endocrinological problems will be a timely visit to a doctor. If for a long time the patient has symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, discomfort in the neck, headaches, irritability, menstrual irregularities in women, then it’s time to get an endocrinologist’s consultation. Then, to get a complete picture of his condition, the patient needs to undergo an ultrasound of the thyroid gland and take a blood test for the level of hormones.

To take preventive measures and successfully solve endocrinological problems, you need to visit an endocrinologist once a year. Particularly attentive to the state of hormones should be women planning a pregnancy and bearing a child, as well as selecting contraception and experiencing menopause. Men and women aged 45-50 years are also recommended to visit an endocrinologist due to general age-related changes.

Since hormonal disorders can cause serious diseases and problems in the body, their timely detection will help to quickly eliminate them and improve well-being and human health.