The hormonal system is a sophisticated and at the same time highly important part of our bodies. Small molecules of hormones control a variety of inner processes and are required in exactly determined quantities. Here we are going to discuss the thyroid gland, its role and Disorder related to the disturbance of its functioning.
Understanding Thyroid Function
The thyroid gland is relatively small and shaped like a tiny butterfly. It can be found in the front of the neck, where it wraps up the trachea. This organ produces two basic iodine-containing hormones.
Thyroid hormones
There are two main molecules produced by the gland and one more that comes from the brain.
T3
This hormone is called triiodothyronine due to the presence of three iodine atoms in its structure. Its normal concentration is from 100 to 200 nanograms per deciliter of blood.
T4
Another one is called thyroxine and is characterized by the presence of four iodine atoms and a normal concentration from 5 to 11 micrograms per deciliter of blood.
TSH
This abbreviation stands for a thyroid-stimulating hormone. The pituitary gland produces it to regulate the balance of the previous two molecules. Adults have from 0.4 to 4.5 milli-international units per liter of blood of it.
How the thyroid interacts with other body systems
While TSH rule over the production of T3 and T4, the latter two control an overall metabolism in the body. This means they influence how the body consumes and burns energy and have an effect on all other organs and systems.
Types of Thyroid disorder
Two main disturbances in this area are related to the change in the quantity of hormones.
Hypothyroidism
This condition occurs when the concentration of T3 and T4 in the blood is not sufficient.
Causes
It can occur as a result of iodine deficiency, different forms of thyroiditis, pituitary gland disorder, surgery on the thyroid gland or because of radiation treatment.
In addition, thyroid disorder can be inborn or develop after the intake of cancer or bipolar disorder medications or together with celiac disorder, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Common symptoms
The warning signs include:
- constant feeling of fatigue;
- excess weight;
- problems with memory;
- heavy and frequent periods;
- dry hair;
- a hoarse voice;
- sensitivity to cold environments.
Risks and complications
If not treated, the gland will try to replenish the hormones by becoming larger. Furthermore, this condition can cause serious heart disorder starting with irregular heartbeat and ending with strokes.
Women may face different fertility issues, not to mention changes in appearance and mood that can lead to depression.
Hyperthyroidism
An opposite case to the previous one is the overproduction of hormones by the gland. This condition is called hyperthyroidism and is not less dangerous than the previous one.
Causes
This condition may occur due to Graves’ disease, nodules, inflammation or cancer that affect the gland, excess of iodine in the diet, as well as misuse of thyroid hormone medicines.
Common symptoms
Patients have the following disturbing signs:
- an enlarged gland;
- vision disorders;
- losing weight;
- anxiety and nervousness;
- sleep disorders;
- weakness and tremors in muscles;
- irregular periods or even their absence;
- sensitivity to heat.
Risks and complications
Without proper treatment, the whole body suffers from this condition. Metabolic processes occur too fast and the organism cannot control the flow of energy. This leads to a wide variety of cardiovascular disorder. For women, this condition leads to problems with fertility.
Goiter
This small gland may experience a noncancerous enlargement that got the name goiter.
Causes
Usually, it occurs because of a lack of iodine in everyday diet. There are some regions in the world where people are prone to this condition due to the small concentration of this element in water and food products.
Also, it can happen as a result or symptom of continuous inflammation or tumor in the gland.
Common symptoms
The main warning signs include:
- a feeling of tightness in the neck;
- a swelled neck;
- difficult breathing;
- persistent cough;
- hoarse voice.
Risks and complications
The direct risk of this condition is associated with the fact that the gland makes the neck tight and disturbs normal breathing and swallowing. Furthermore, the gland does not work properly, so hormonal misbalance also occurs with all the symptoms and problems described above for hypothyroidism.
Thyroiditis
This condition is associated with continuous inflammation in the gland that disturbs its work and leads to other health issues.
Causes
The most common situation is an autoimmune attack that makes the body act against the gland. The latter responds with inflammation. This condition is called Hashimoto’s disease. In addition, the same situation may occur due to the intake of some medicines and hereditary issues.
Common symptoms
The diagnosis is made taking into consideration the following manifestations:
- constant fatigue and depression;
- weight gain;
- problems with hair and skin condition;
- puffy pale face;
- irregular periods;
- enlarged gland.
Risks and complications
This disease is dangerous in the same way as other described above states. It prevents the gland from performing its main work and functions. Thus, other health issues follow, such as problems with heart and blood clotting, mental disorders, infertility, etc.
Thyroid cancer
Another dangerous case is the tumor that can also attack the tissues of the gland.
Causes
There are some hereditary risks and gene mutations that occur due to other diseases. In addition, all the conditions described above without proper treatment may lead to tumorous growth.
Common symptoms
Symptoms are as follows:
- swollen neck and glands;
- a feeling of tightening in their neck;
- breathing problems;
- hoarse voice.
Other symptoms of hormonal misbalance also occur lately, such as changes in weight and mood.
Risks and complications
If untreated, this condition leads to metastasis and death. In addition, the cancer may spread. Also, the gland will not be able to work properly, so the misbalance of hormones will follow with all the unpleasant symptoms.
Diagnosing Thyroid Disorders
It is impossible to diagnose these conditions without proper investigations. Of course, the doctor will start by gathering the basic information but then he will also prescribe a set of tests.
Blood tests for thyroid function
One of the first ways to rule out the situation is to take the venous blood of the patient and determine the presence and concentration of hormones in it.
Images and physical examination
The physician always evaluates the gland visually. For instance, when it is very swollen, it can be obvious by looking at the neck. In addition, he may prescribe different scans to see whether there are signs of cancer.
Biopsy
When the doctor suspects cancer, he prescribes a biopsy. During this procedure, a small part of the tissue is taken from the gland and investigated under the microscope to diagnose the condition.
Treatment Options for Thyroid Disorders
There is a set of options for treatment of this condition. The exact choice depends on the disease that was diagnosed and is aimed at the improvement of thyroid hormone balance.
Medication management
Certain medicines can prevent the gland from producing too much hormones. They are utilized in case of their hyperproduction. On the contrary, there are iodine-containing medicines that are prescribed to overcome the deficiency and stimulate the synthesis of hormones.
Radioiodine therapy
This option is suitable for hyper conditions only. This type of iodine damages the cells of the gland and stops overproduction.
Thyroid surgery
When the gland is too enlarged or the cancer was diagnosed, it can be removed partly or completely according to the doctor’s decision.
Lifestyle changes and complementary therapies
Last but not least the healthcare provider recommends sticking to a healthy diet that contains enough iodine, selecting the proper type of physical activity and taking care of your mental condition.
Living with Thyroid Disorders
First and foremost, a person can live an absolutely normal life with any kind of thyroid disorder. At first, it is important to diagnose it properly and then find out a treatment and follow all the recommendations of the physician.
In most cases, the intake of medicines is quite long and must be done very accurately. There will be a need to monitor the level of hormones constantly until it reaches the norm and even after it. In addition, certain lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercising, are inevitable. As for mental health, do not hesitate to visit a psychologist and also get proper treatment and advice.
However, modern medicine has all that the patients need to treat these diseases, decrease unpleasant symptoms and guarantee the proper quality of life in any case.
Prevention
Another key issue is adequate prevention of all these states or, at least, their diagnostics as early as possible.
In terms of prevention, doctors give the following advice:
- regularly check up on your hormones with the blood test;
- if you have some family cases, warn your healthcare provider about them, so he will stay alert to the higher probability of their occurrence;
- if any disturbing symptoms occur, do not wait and do not hesitate to visit the specialist and check your health;
- pay attention to the amount of iodine in your diet and find out its quantity in local water.
Keep in mind that both excess and lack of iodine are bad for health. Therefore, try to balance the presence of this important element in your life.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
The following advice is useful for everyone. As for people prone to thyroid issues or those already having them, it is better to lead a healthy lifestyle to avoid risks and complications.
Balanced Nutrition
A well-balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy and long life. Therefore, keep an eye on the products you consume every day and try to stick to more natural and useful options such as whole grains, lean meat, fruits and vegetables.
Minimize intake of sugar and quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Add enough water to your everyday life and also take care of the presence of vitamins and minerals in your diet. An adequate amount of iodine is of the greatest importance for the health of a thyroid gland.
Physical Activity
Regular moderately intense physical activity is also important to maintain good health. One can select the kind of activity that suits him best starting from cycling, walking or swimming and ending with going to the gym, running or having highly intense training.
It is crucial to select a mode that is not going to be stressful for the body and follow a comfortable regimen. Regularity in this case is the key to success and obtaining positive results and health benefits.
Stress Management
Furthermore, it is advisable to learn how you can manage the stress that happens every day. Such stress-relieving activities as mindfulness meditation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises or your favorite hobbies are the perfect way not only to cope with the stress but also to live a healthy and happy life.
In addition, take care of the quality and quantity of sleep. It is also crucial for overall health and is especially important for the proper work of glands. That is why do not neglect these issues and always find the time for yourself.
Summary
The body works like an orchestra where each participant, such as an organ or a gland, performs its important part. Now you are aware of the role and significance of the thyroid gland. Therefore, take care of it and do not hesitate to check hormone levels in case of some disturbing symptoms. It is easier to prevent severe conditions that are associated with this gland than to treat them. That is why stay informed and attentive to your health condition.
FAQ
What are three signs of a thyroid disorder?
The alarming symptoms include abrupt weight changes, mood swings and persistent feeling of exhaustion.
What are early warning signs of thyroid problems?
The first unpleasant symptoms include skin and hair problems, lack of energy and feeling of depression.
What are the symptoms of thyroid problems in females?
Symptoms are different according to the type of the problem but women always observe changes in their periods, skin and hair condition and weight.
Is thyroid a serious disorder?
Yes, this little gland is highly important for the proper metabolism and influences an overall health condition. That is why in the absence of treatment such disorders are quite harmful.
Are thyroid issues reversible?
Yes, modern medicine provides different ways to gain control over the concentration of hormones produced by this gland and turn it back to normal.
Does Thyroid disorder run in families?
Yes, those people who have such disorders in the family history are more prone to their development.
