Thyroid disease: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Thyroid disease.

Thyroid disease:

Thyroid disease is a common problem which can cause symptoms due to over or under the function of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland and located in the front of our lower neck. These glands secrete some essential hormones. These hormones play an important role in many other functions, including our metabolism. This gland needs the required amount of iodine to make this hormone. These hormones play an important role in various physical and mental growths, including our metabolism.

The thyroid gland secretes two types of hormones:

• Tri-iodothyronine (T3) and
• Thyroxine (T4)

In the case of babies, if these glands are not formed properly at birth or if they are not able to produce the required hormones, the physical and mental growth of the baby is hampered.

When these hormones are produced in less or more than the number of hormones required by our body, then various problems occur. Hypothyroidism can occur if less of this hormone is produced than is needed. Again, hyperthyroidism can occur if more of this hormone is produced than is needed. Both are harmful to our health.

Causes of thyroid diseases:

Thyroid disease can be caused by:

• Iodine deficiency
• Autoimmune diseases which causes hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
• Thyroid inflammation caused by viruses and bacteria
• nodules, or non-cancerous lumps, inside the thyroid
• cancerous tumours on the thyroid gland
• Medical treatments like radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and some medicines
• some genetic disorders
• Pregnancy can cause thyroid problems and this can cause problems for mother and baby like miscarriage, premature birth,if it left untreated.

Symptoms of thyroid disease:

• The first symptom of thyroid disease is drowsiness and laziness.
• The softness of the skin decreases and becomes rough.
• Swelling of the legs.
• Loss of appetite.
• Relatively start to fall hair.
• Sudden weight gain.
• Weak memory and irritable mood.
• The onset of constipation.
• Blood pressure continues to rise slowly.
• Feeling cold.
• Period problems.
• Heart Problems.
• Pain in the bone joint.

Types of thyroid disease:

There can be a variety of diseases in the thyroid gland. Some of the most common diseases are discussed:

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Goitre
• Nodule
• Thyroid Cancer
• Graves' disease

Hypothyroidism:

Hypothyroidism is more likely to occur if the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones than it needs. However, many times it does not show eye-catching symptoms, so many people do not realize that they are suffering from hypothyroidism. However, the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• Feeling tired or exhausted.
• Not being able to pay attention to anything.
• Dry skin.
• Constipation.
• Feeling cold.
• The pain will be felt in the muscles and various joints.
• There will be depression.
• During menstruation there may be excessive bleeding in women.
• The pulse rate may be lower than normal.

Hyperthyroidism:

In this case, the opposite of hyperthyroidism occurs. Hyperthyroidism is more likely to occur if the thyroid gland produces more hormones than it needs.The pituitary gland of the brain control the thyroid gland. This part of the brain called the hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland in the brain. This hypothalamus secretes a hormone called thyroid releasing hormone (TRH). The function of this TRH hormone is to send signals to the pituitary gland to release a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This TSH hormone sends a signal to that gland to secrete thyroid hormone. It is understood that the thyroid gland alone is not responsible for the production of this hormone. Hormone secretion is accomplished through the combined efforts of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland.

Now if anyone or more of these 3 glands work more than required then the result is more hormone production than required. And that's when the dam problem. Which is known as hyperthyroidism. The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

• Excessive sweating.
• Can't bear the heat.
• Digestive problems.
• Anxiety increased anxiety.
• Feeling restless.
• Weight loss.
• Increased pulse rate.
• Not sleeping properly.
• Hair becomes thin and brittle.
• Thinning of the skin.
• In women, menstruation is irregular or very little.
• Heart rate may increase in adult patients. If the condition is very bad and the necessary treatment for hyperthyroidism is not taken, thyroid storm can occur. This can cause the patient's blood pressure to rise, fever to come on and the heart to stop beating.

Goitre:

Enlargement of the thyroid gland is known as goitre.The thyroid gland itself may also become enlarged. In that case, it is called goitre. Since the gland needs iodine to make hormones. Therefore, if there is a lack of iodine, the gland cannot make hormones properly. Yet it tries to make the necessary hormones for the body. As a result, it grows on its own to keep the body's hormone levels normal. And at some point, it can no longer produce the normal levels of hormones. As a result, the amount of hormones is less than required. And as a result, the person develops hypothyroidism. Therefore, children or people who suffer from iodine deficiency are more likely to get this disease.

Thyroid nodules:

Lumps or abnormal masses within the thyroid are nodules. Benign cysts, benign tumours and less commonly cancer of the thyroid can causes nodules. Nodules are different in size and can be single or multiple.

Thyroid cancer:

Thyroid cancer is seen more among adult women than men or youth. Most of the cases occur in people under age 55. Thyroid cancer may be different types depending on the specific cell type within the thyroid that has become cancerous. If thyroid cancer is diagnosed in its early stages then most of the cases have high survival rate.

Grave's disease:

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease. It causes hyperthyroidism . In this case our immune system attacks the thyroid and make the thyroid gland to produce more hormones than our body requirements.

Diagnosis of thyroid disease:

The following tests are usually used to diagnose various thyroid diseases:

Blood test:

Hormone levels can be tested by various blood tests. The following tests are usually done through blood tests:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): 

This test tests the level of TSH in the blood. If the level of TSH in the blood is low, it should be understood that the patient is suffering from hyperthyroidism. If more than hypothyroidism.

Thyroxine hormone (T4):

The presence of high levels of T4 in the blood means hyperthyroidism and the presence of low levels of T4 means hypothyroidism.

Tri-iodothyronine hormone (T3):

The presence of high levels of T3 in the blood means hyperthyroidism and the presence of low levels of T3 means hypothyroidism.

TSH receptor antibody (TSI):

The presence of TSI in the blood means that the patient is infected with Graves' disease. This disease causes swelling around the eyes.

Anti-thyroid antibody:

The presence of antithyroid antibody in the blood means that the patient is suffering from Hashimoto's and Graves' disease. Hashimoto's is a disease in which the entire thyroid gland gradually becomes infected.

In addition, some tests such as nuclear thyroid scan, thyroid ultrasound, computerized axial tomography scan and some tests can detect various diseases of the thyroid gland.

Treatment of thyroid disease:

Thyroid disease can be treated by medications and in some cases surgery. Treatment will depend on the type of disease of the thyroid.

Medications:

Medications is given to replace the missing thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism. Synthetic thyroid hormone is given in pill form orally. When hyperthyroidism is present, medications can be used to reduce the production of thyroid hormone or prevent its release from the gland. Other medications is given to manage the symptoms of hyperthyroidism like increased heart rate. If hyperthyroidism is not controlled with medications then radioactive ablation is performed. Ablation involves giving a dose of radioactive labeled iodine that selectively destroys thyroid tissue.

Surgery:

Surgery is done to remove a large goitre or a hyperfunctioning nodule within the gland. Surgery is essential when there is a chance of thyroid cancer. If the whole thyroid gland is removed, the individual will need to take synthetic thyroid hormone for life.Thyroid surgery can also be used in Grave's disease and it was the best treatment prior to RAI therapy and anti-thyroid medications. It is not used much now.