Hyperthyroidism (another name is thyrotoxicosis) is a disease that is caused by an increase in the hormonal activity of the thyroid gland and manifests itself in an increase in the level of thyroid hormones. The consequence of this condition is the acceleration of metabolism in the body.
CAUSES OF THE DISEASE
The main cause of hyperthyroidism is thyroid diseases, primarily its enlargement, as well as viral inflammation and tumors. In addition, the disease can be triggered by taking large doses of synthetic hormones. At risk are women, as well as patients with a hereditary history.
kinds
There are primary, secondary and tertiary hyperthyroidism. The primary is caused by thyroid disease, the secondary by pituitary pathologies, and the tertiary by hypothalamus disease.
It is also customary to distinguish three subspecies of primary hyperthyroidism:
Subclinical – proceeds without symptoms,
Obvious – symptoms characteristic of hyperthyroidism are observed,
Complicated – accompanied by arrhythmia, psychosis, heart failure, weight loss, etc.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism depend on how long and how severe the disease is, on how much a particular organ or organ system is affected. All manifestations can be divided into several groups:
Disorders of the nervous system – irritability, emotional instability, anxiety, rapid speech, difficulty concentrating thoughts, insomnia, tremor.
Disorders of the cardiovascular system – tachycardia, arrhythmia, heart failure, acceleration of blood flow,
Visual disturbances – bulging of the eyeballs, swelling of the eyelids, a feeling of double vision, corneal dryness, lacrimation, eye pain, in some cases – blindness due to disorders of the optic nerve,
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract – digestive disorders, increased appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain,
Manifestations of metabolic changes – weight loss, despite increased appetite, sweating, thinning of skin and hair, shortness of breath,
Thyrotoxic myopathy – muscle weakness, trembling in the extremities, osteoporosis, problems with motor activity.
diagnostics
Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed by an endocrinologist based on the results of visual examination and anamnesis collection, as well as on the results of thyroid ultrasound, ECG and scintigraphy.
PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT
There are three main methods of treating hyperthyroidism:
Medical treatment.
Surgical treatment – removal of the thyroid gland or part of it.
Radioiode therapy.
The choice of a suitable technique is carried out by a doctor taking into account various factors – the patient’s age, his medical history, the severity of pathology, the presence of allergies to medications, etc.
Drug therapy can suppress the excessive activity of the thyroid gland and reduce the production of hormones. Conservative treatment gives a good result in combination with diet and spa treatment.
Removal of the thyroid gland is carried out according to strict indications: with the growth of the gland site and increased secretion in this area. The risk in this case is the postoperative development of hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid hormone).
Treatment with radioactive iodine allows you to destroy those thyroid cells that secrete too much hormone. As a result, hormone levels are normalized, but it is impossible to achieve complete recovery by this method.
PREVENTION
Prevention of hyperthyroidism consists in following a proper diet, sufficient use of products containing iodine, as well as regular preventive examinations by an endocrinologist.
