Symptom of an increase in the thyroid gland. Causes of enlargement of the thyroid gland, treatment

Not all people annually undergo preventive examinations at the endocrinologist. But often this is the only way to identify problems in time and start treating them. Of course, there are a number of signs on which you can suspect something is wrong, but often people just do not pay attention to them.

Self-diagnosis

It is important to know what may indicate possible problems, on which symptom of an increase in the thyroid gland is necessary to pay attention in the first place. So, at home, you can only try to feel this body. It is located in the neck, just behind the thyroid cartilage, which moves during swallowing.

If you put your hand so that the thumb is to the left of the cartilage, and 4 others - to the right, you can feel the formation, which has a soft consistency. This is the organ that we need. To understand if there is an increase in the thyroid gland, you need to know what size it should be. So, in norm it is as long as the extreme phalanx of the thumb - the one on which the nail is located. If you think that it is more, it is better to make an appointment with an endocrinologist who can conduct a professional examination.

During self-diagnosis it is possible to estimate its density and check the presence of nodes. Ideally, it is soft and elastic. In other cases, it is necessary to see the doctor. This symptom of an increase in the thyroid gland can not be ignored. After all, its dense structure can testify to oncology. It is also important to ensure that it moves along with the thyroid cartilage while swallowing.

Pay attention to soreness. Normally, with manual examination of the gland, only discomfort should be present. In all other cases, a visit to the doctor becomes mandatory.

The reasons for the increase

Having figured out which symptom of an increase in the thyroid gland can not be ignored, it is also important to understand what led to problems. So, first of all the doctor conducts a questioning of the patient, specifying whether he has a genetic predisposition. But, in addition to heredity, there are other reasons. The enlargement of the thyroid gland may be due to a violation of the iodine absorption mechanism or when the microelement is too low to enter the body.

Also, goitre can result from excessive irradiation of the neck or head region. Sometimes the causes of problems lie in an excessive number of stresses, protracted depressions, nervous breakdowns. Lead to the appearance of goiter and hormonal failures in the body.

Goiter Varieties

Depending on the clinical picture, doctors distinguish several stages. At 0 degrees on a manual examination, thyroid problems are not determined. It is of normal size without any formations.

An enlargement of the thyroid gland of the 1st degree is characterized by minor changes that can be palpated. But the shape of the neck is not changed, no distortions can be seen with the naked eye.

Stage 2 is characterized by a marked increase in the organ, which leads to the appearance of bulges on the skin. The neck is deformed. Do not notice the goiter of 2 degrees is impossible.

Also, specialists distinguish diffuse and nodal changes. In the first case, the iron increases evenly. Also diffuse goiter is divided into toxic and non-toxic. The nodular form of the disease is characterized by a limited area of enlargement of the gland. There is also a mixed type of goiter. There are signs of both diffuse and nodal enlargement.

Classification of problems

As a result of the examination, the endocrinologist should not only establish the degree of enlargement of the thyroid gland, but also reveal an euthyroid, hypothyroid or hyperthyroid state. The symptoms of the appearance of goiter will depend on the changes that have occurred with the indicated organ.

Euthyroid enlargement usually passes for patients discreetly. People, as a rule, do not complain about anything. But these patients note violations in the work of the cardiovascular system, signs of myocardial pathologies. There may also be problems with metabolic processes.

Hyperthyroid goiter is less common. But it is worth noting that this increase in the thyroid gland in women is diagnosed more often than in men. Patients may complain of periodic shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, sweating. Also, with this form of the disease, trembling of the fingers is noted.

Hypothyroid goiter has a number of clinical signs, but they may not appear in the early stages. In more advanced forms, the diagnosis is quite simple. Patients have a slightly puffy face, dry skin, pale skin. Also there is an increased hair loss.

Symptoms of euthyroid enlargement of the gland

Clinical manifestations of the disease will directly depend on which form has developed. For example, euthyroid goiter does not appear. It does not allow to diagnose even a blood test for thyroid hormones. Most often, this increase looks like a noticeable cosmetic defect. On the neck, the thyroid gland is clearly visible. Photo of people with this disease is most often found. The increase can be so great that the iron compresses the vessels, reduces the lumen of the trachea, the esophagus. Thus the person can complain of the complicated breath and a swallowing.

Signs of hyperthyroiditis and hypothyroiditis

A detailed questioning of the patient and collection of complaints allows the endocrinologist to establish a preliminary diagnosis. So, hyperthyroid goiter is characterized by hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Patients in most cases complain of eyelashes, tachycardia, increased pressure, acceleration of metabolic processes, increased appetite.

Hypothyroid goiter is manifested in a different way. Even increased drowsiness is a symptom of an increase in the thyroid gland. In addition, the disease manifests hypotension, hair loss, a feeling of dryness in the mouth, some inhibition, flatulence, constipation. Often, patients are diagnosed as having anemia. Some have even a hearing impairment. This is possible because of the edema of the Eustachian tube.

Purpose of the gland

It is important to understand that thyroid gland diseases affect the work of the whole organism as a whole. So, this body is responsible for the normal, stable functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. He also controls the synthesis of protein, which takes place at the cellular level, the consumption of phosphates, calcium and oxygen. In order to prevent problems in time, it is necessary to know how the thyroid gland increases. Symptoms (treatment in this case should be aimed at correcting the work of the body) can be varied. They vary depending on the type of disease.

In cases where the thyroid gland stops normal work, weight changes, there are problems with the mental and energy state. So, not detected in time illness can lead to obesity, serious malfunctions in the work of the heart, hair loss, sexual disorders and other health problems.

Importance of treatment

If the endocrinologist notices at least one symptom of an increase in the thyroid gland, he will most likely send you for tests. To hand over the basic hormones responsible for its or her job, in this case it is necessary. Also the doctor can send for ultrasound examination of this gland. With the help of blood tests, you can determine how much the level of hormones responsible for its work has changed. And the ultrasound can accurately establish the stage of goiter, identify even small nodules.

After the final determination of the diagnosis, do not try to self-medicate and in any case do not give up hormonal therapy. In most cases, only with its help can reduce the burden on the thyroid gland. The appointed hormones can fill the body's need and thus establish its work. But you need to take them regularly. Periodically, the endocrinologist will recommend retaking the tests. This is necessary to correct the dosage of hormones. In addition, treatment can be aimed at eliminating the causes that led to violations.

Methods of therapy

In order to choose the right treatment, it is necessary to know what exactly influenced the changes, to reveal the reasons. The enlargement of the thyroid gland requires not only the proper administration of medicines, the selection of the proper dosage of hormonal preparations, but also the correction of the way of life.

If the doctor talks about a treatment with which you can eliminate the causes of problems, then you must be prepared for a change in diet and a number of habits. It is important to increase your activity, to try to change metabolism.

Endemic goiter appears in most cases because of insufficient intake of iodine in the body. In this case, doctors can prescribe the appropriate medication, for example, it can be a "Jodomarin" remedy.

But with the appearance of hyperthyroid goiter, it is necessary to correct the work of the thyroid gland so that it produces less hormones. These drugs are called thyostatic. It can be medicines "Tirozol", "Metizol", "Mercazolil". The active substance in them is thiamazole. Also, the doctor can prescribe the drug "Propitsil". In it, the active substance is called propylthiouracil. Treatment with such drugs can last 1-1.5 years, depending on the degree of enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroid goiter requires a different approach to treatment. To normalize the state, thyroxine is needed. The most well-known means that can restore the level of this hormone in the body is "L-thyroxine". It is also important to use vitamin complexes. In the body in sufficient quantities must enter vitamins B, A, C. If the disease is accompanied by anemia, then prescribe iron preparations.

Surgical intervention

In some cases, the goiter is enlarged enough that it can squeeze the internal organs, squeeze arteries, trachea and esophagus. Also, sometimes the growing thyroid gland can cause cosmetic defects. The photo gives a clear idea of how much this body can be enlarged. So, some in the neck area there are visible increases in the size of an egg.

In such situations, conservative therapy is unlikely to be appropriate. However, in a number of situations, the surgeon's knife can be replaced by radiotherapy.

Problems in children

Problems in the functioning of the thyroid gland can begin at any age. But in children they cause a number of problems that can not be corrected later. So, an increase in the thyroid gland in children can adversely affect both mental and physical development of crumbs. Also this body is responsible for metabolic processes, the state of immunity, the work of the heart.

There are a number of symptoms on which it can be suspected that the child has a malfunction in the field of endocrinology. It is better to go to the doctor if the baby became listless, allergic reactions unusual for him began to appear, and infectious diseases became more frequent. The skin can be dry, but in some cases it becomes wet, swollen. Also a clear sign of problems is stuntedness. To receive consultation of the endocrinologist it is desirable and in that case if by analyzes the doctor diagnoses at a crumb an anemia.

To be engaged in treatment of children should only the children's expert. He can conduct a manual study, recommend to pass the test to the level of hormones or go to an ultrasound study. Only the pediatric endocrinologist can interpret the results, taking into account the age of the child and the clinical picture that he saw during the examination.