Diseases of the thyroid gland
Thyroid diseases are no longer uncommon. They are often behind symptoms such as exhaustion and loss of appetite, sleep disorders and increased sweating. The variation of the disease is as diverse as the signs in which it manifests itself.
The thyroid is an organ below the larynx that produces hormones and sends them out into the body. With this function, the thyroid intervenes significantly in the energy metabolism and influences numerous bodily functions such as the regulation of body heat and psychological well-being. It also influences the work of the gastrointestinal tract, the circulatory system and the function of muscles and nerves.
This explains why serious symptoms often follow the disease of the organ, although it weighs only 25 grams. While the thyroid produces the hormones and later releases them into the body, two parts of the brain determine the amount of substances to be produced: the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. These control the hormone levels in the blood and, if necessary, transmit the information to the thyroid gland to send more or less hormones in order to achieve the optimal balance and to ensure the full function of all parts of the body.
Causes
There are many reasons why the thyroid gland is not working properly, although some of them have not yet been fully researched. Genetic predisposition, environmental influences such as those associated with Chernobyl, tobacco consumption and an unhealthy diet with too few fruit and vegetables play a role here.
Stress and a change in sex hormones due to the onset of puberty , pregnancy or menopause can also contribute to the development of the disease . Thyroid diseases affect thyroid hormone levels.
There are many reasons for a hormone deficiency or excess. A lack of supply of the body with important thyroid hormones is caused either by a dysfunction of the thyroid gland itself or by the limited work of the pituitary gland or the messenger substances that signal the thyroid gland to adjust the hormone level.
So-called hypothyroidism is most commonly caused by chronic inflammation of the organ. The body no longer recognizes the thyroid as its own part, but as a foreign body and produces antibodies to destroy it. Incorrectly, however, the thyroid tissue is partially destroyed, which means that it can no longer work optimally.
When to the doctor?
If signs of thyroid disease are noticed, the family doctor should be consulted. Symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, weight gain or general weakness are clear warning signs that need to be clarified by a doctor and treated if necessary. Apathy indicates that the disease may be more advanced and needs immediate investigation . Typical warning signs that require medical clarification include slow speech, swelling of the face, leg or hands, and striking paleness .
If a goiter develops, a doctor must be consulted. Other unusual symptoms that have no specific cause are also best evaluated by a medical professional to avoid serious complications. In the event of serious cardiovascular or respiratory problems, an ambulance should be called. People who already suffer from a disease of the thyroid gland should speak to the doctor responsible if they have non-specific symptoms. The same applies to pregnant women, the elderly and sick people. Children showing signs of thyroid disease should be examined by a pediatrician. In case of doubt, the medical emergency service can be contacted first.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of diseases of the thyroid gland:
- sensitivity to cold
A thyroid disease manifests itself through extreme sensitivity to cold, inexplicable weight gain, difficulty concentrating, lack of drive, but also constipation, hair loss and brittle hair. The result is increased sweating, weight loss, nervousness, sleep disorders and an irregular pulse, which if left untreated can lead to cardiac insufficiency due to overexertion.
Severe physical symptoms can also be caused by an excess of hormones. This develops in different ways. In Graves’ disease, the body produces antibodies that stimulate the cells in the thyroid gland that make hormones. These then produce amounts of thyroid hormones that are far in excess of what the body needs.
A functional autonomy of the thyroid gland can also be a reason. Individual parts or even the entire thyroid are no longer regulated by the pituitary gland, but produce hormones independently.
Common shapes and types
Common thyroid diseases:
The most common thyroid diseases are over- or under-function and an enlargement of the organ, which is called goiter or goiter. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid produces too few hormones, which causes the level in the blood to drop. The body is no longer optimally supplied with important thyroid hormones and numerous symptoms occur that are attributed to the fact that the metabolism is slowing down due to the hormone deficiency.
When the thyroid gland is overactive, the body produces too many hormones, which causes the metabolism to skyrocket. Another condition is enlargement of the thyroid gland. This usually remains unknown at first and is later noticed in the event of swallowing and breathing difficulties . If these occur, the thyroid gland is already pressing on the trachea and esophagus and has often already formed a lump in the thyroid gland, which is called goiter.
A distinction is made between hot and cold knots . Hot nodes act autonomously and produce more thyroid hormone than the pituitary gland demands. Overloaded cells can turn into cold nodes that have stopped working. The growth of the thyroid can be attributed to a lack of iodine supply . The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce hormones.
If too little iodine is consumed, the brain asks for the production of more thyroid hormones. The thyroid forms more cells in order to meet the demand and thus maintain the hormone level despite a lack of iodine supply. However, this only works for a very limited period of time. A permanent iodine deficiency leads to exponential growth of the thyroid cells and thus to an enlargement of the organ.
Complications
Depending on the type and cause of the symptoms, different complications can develop from a disease of the thyroid gland. In the case of thyroid cancer, serious complications such as swallowing and breathing difficulties, chronic hoarseness and secondary diseases such as Horner’s syndrome are conceivable. Thyroid cancer is often associated with thyroid nodules, which can spread to other organs and cause the thyroid to become overactive or underactive.
As a result of hyperthyroidism, metabolism and heart rate are accelerated, which can lead to high blood pressure, weight loss, hair loss, nervousness, sleep disorders or diarrhea, each with the risk of serious physical and mental complications.
Hypothyroidism can lead to speech disorders , hearing loss and growth disorders as it progresses. If the hypothyroidism remains untreated over a longer period of time, what is known as myxedema coma can occur under certain circumstances. Breathing slows down, blood pressure decreases and there is a general feeling of weakness. In the absence of intensive medical care, a myxedema coma can lead to the death of the patient.
In the surgical treatment of thyroid diseases, there is a risk that the thyroid gland will be injured. Prescribed medicines always involve certain risks and can result in serious complications in the event of undetected allergies or interactions with other medicines.
Treatment and therapy
Thyroid diseases can usually be treated well, although not cured. Hormone therapy , which must be continued throughout life, helps with overactive or underactive thyroid glands . Pills are used to supply the body with the hormones that the thyroid gland can no longer produce itself in order to keep the hormone level constant.An enlargement can also be treated with medication if it is detected early. If tissue production is too far advanced, an operation can help. The various symptoms usually disappear completely with ideally adapted treatment.
Prevention
A disease of the thyroid gland can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle without tobacco, X-ray radiation reduced to the bare minimum , optimal iodine intake and stress avoidance. Genetic factors cannot be influenced.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.