The thyroid looks like a butterfly, crawling in front of the human neck, and is the largest endocrine organ in the human body. No matter what we eat, without the thyroxine it secretes, the body cannot convert incoming nutrients into energy.
If this hormone is missing or too much, the body’s energy metabolism, body temperature, heart, brain, muscles and other organs will not work properly, in addition, it can also be called “human engine”.
From the perspective of the patient’s experience, if there is too much thyroxine secreted (hyperthyroidism), the body will be uncontrollably excited; depressed. As the physical examination machines become more and more advanced, in recent years, many people have noticed that the thyroid gland is actually very fragile and easy to get sick.
What are the main thyroid diseases?
The thyroid gland is an endocrine organ that secretes thyroxine, controls the rate at which energy is used, helps make proteins, and regulates the body’s sensitivity to hormones.
Once you suffer from thyroid disease, it is no less harmful than diabetes, which is the second serious endocrine disorder, which occurs in What are thyroid diseases.
Benign: Simple goiter, thyroid adenoma, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, subacute thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis,
Malignant: Thyroid cancer.
1. Simple goiter
Etiology:
✪Iodine deficiency: Environmental iodine deficiency is the main factor causing the disease , Insufficient iodine content in drinking water and food in plateau mountains, this disease is very common (endemic goiter).
✪Increased thyroxine requirements: during puberty, pregnant women, and temporarily increased thyroxine requirements, also called physiological goiter;< /p>
✪ Thyroid synthesis and secretion disorder.
Clinical manifestations: more common in women, goiter, multiple nodules on one or both sides, larger nodules can compress the surrounding organs, and can compress the trachea, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve. There is tracheal curvature, displacement and airway stenosis, affecting breathing. Difficulty breathing even while sleeping.
Excessive pressure can also soften the trachea. Compression of a nerve or esophagus, hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
In addition to compressing the trachea and esophagus, it may also compress deep large veins. Facial bruising, swelling, and cardiovascular symptoms occur.
2. Hyperthyroidism
A general term for diseases characterized by systemic hypermetabolism due to abnormal increase in circulating thyroxine due to various reasons.
Clinical manifestations: goiter and hypermetabolic symptoms. Symptoms of hypermetabolism include: irritability, irritability, insomnia, trembling hands, heat intolerance, sweating, and moist skin. Appetite but thin. Palpitations or rapid pulse, greater than 100 beats per minute. Menstrual disorders, weakness, easy fatigue.
Experts remind: patients with hyperthyroidism need to limit the intake of iodine, use less iodized salt daily, and eat less iodine-rich food such as kelp. In addition, depending on the severity of the disease, antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, or surgery may be required.
3. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is abbreviated as hypothyroidism. Generally, patients will experience cold, dry and yellow skin, less sweat, and hair. Sparse and dry, the body is overtired, the memory is poor, the reaction becomes slow, there is mild anemia and weight gain, and the intelligence will also decrease.
Clinical manifestations: In severe patients, the complexion is pale and yellow, the face is somewhat swollen, the eyes look dull, and the expression is indifferent. Men will be accompanied by varying degrees of decreased sexual desire, delayed secondary sexual characteristics, testicular atrophy and premature ejaculation, and women will experience irregular menstruation and menorrhagia.
Experts remind: patients with hypothyroidism need to supplement thyroxine, which can be supplemented through diet and drugs such as Euthyrox.
4. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, it is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by hypothyroidism. Most common cause. The diseased tissue was replaced by a large number of lymphocytes and plasma cells, and thyroid peroxidase antibody could be detected in serum. Tpoab and thyroglobulin antibodies.
Clinical manifestations: painless, diffuse goiter, symmetric, hard, often accompanied by thyroid function and hypothyroidism. Larger may have compression symptoms.
Experts remind: When the “thyroid peroxidase antibody (TP0Ab)” and “thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb)” values are found to be high, this may be Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. At this time, a low-iodine diet is required, and thyroid function is regularly reviewed.
5. Thyroid nodules
Goiter is a typical symptom of thyroid nodules. You can feel the thyroid with your hands and have different sizes. nodules, medium firm in textureSpend.
The patient only had discomfort in the anterior neck area, and most of the thyroid function was normal. Most thyroid nodules are benign, but the occurrence of nodules in childhood requires vigilance, especially if there are new nodules or nodules that grow rapidly in a short period of time, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
Experts remind: Thyroid nodules are classified into benign and malignant, and benign and malignant thyroid nodules can be identified by thyroid “grading” B-ultrasound, ie TI-RADS grading B-ultrasound. Generally, TI-RADS1-3 are considered benign in medicine. , 4 types of suspicious malignant, 5 types of malignant. For category 4 nodules suspected of malignancy, ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is recommended to clarify the nature of the nodule. Benign thyroid nodules require regular review, dynamic observation of the size of the nodule and changes in metabolism. For malignant thyroid nodules, that is, thyroid cancer, surgery is recommended, and partial thyroidectomy is performed.
6. Thyroid cancer
thyroid cancer is the most common thyroid malignancy, accounting for about 1% of systemic malignancies, and has been on the rise in recent years.
Four pathological types, among which papillary carcinoma is the most common, accounting for more than 60% of adults, and it is more common in women aged 30-45 years. it is good.
Clinical manifestations: A hard mass is found in the thyroid gland. If the mass is large, there may be compression symptoms. When the tumor invades the trachea, it may cause dyspnea or hemoptysis, and invade the esophagus. Dysphagia. Violation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, hoarseness. Lymph node metastases may present with swollen lymph nodes in the neck. In the late stage, it will metastasize to the lungs, bones, etc. Ultrasound aids in diagnosis, fine needle aspiration, examination, aids in diagnosis.
Experts remind: The first few diseases that occur on the thyroid are relatively mild, and the most serious ones are thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer.
How to prevent thyroid from BUG
Through the above description, I believe you have understood how important the thyroid is as an endocrine organ that regulates metabolism. Although the thyroid is small , but thyroid disease can not be ignored, the systemic symptoms caused by it will make the patient suffer.
How to prevent thyroid bugs? The best way is to have regular physical examinations, and strive for early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. In addition, you should also pay attention to the development of good routines and eating habits in life. After all, metabolic diseases are inseparable from living habits, mental stress, and emotional state. .