Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism (from the Greek “hypo” — little, below normal, and “thyreos” — shield) is an endocrine disease during which thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) are produced in insufficient quantities. A small production of these vital substances occurs due to complete or partial loss of thyroid functions.
According to statistics, this disorder of the functions of the endocrine system is one of the most common. As a rule, women in the age group over 65 suffer more from it. Hypothyroidism is endemic in geographical areas remote from the seas and ocean.
Causes of hypothyroidism
One of the main causes of the disease is called autoimmune thyroiditis. This is an inflammatory process in the thyroid gland that proceeds with the formation of autoantibodies.
In addition to this reason, it is necessary to mention such factors that provoke hypothyroidism as:
consequences of ionizing thyroid treatment and therapy of toxic goiter with radioactive iodine;
hereditary factor;
taking some medications;
aplasia or congenital hypoplasia of the thyroid gland;
lack of iodine with food (can often lead to the development of severe mental disorder-cretinism and toxic goiter);
transferred surgical interventions on the thyroid gland;
infectious and oncological lesions of the thyroid gland.
The causes of secondary hypothyroidism may be inflammatory, infectious, or surgical, traumatic lesions of the pituitary gland and (or) hypothalamus.
Types of hypothyroidism
It is customary to distinguish between both secondary and primary forms of hypothyroidism.
In the primary form, the pathology of the thyroid gland itself becomes the cause of low hormone production. In the secondary form of the disease, it is necessary to talk about violations of the work of such endocrine glands as the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. They regulate the process of thyroid hormone production in the human body.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
Patients complain of weight gain, fatigue, dryness of the skin and hair, loss of the latter, the development of constipation, deterioration in mindfulness, mental activity, lethargy and drowsiness, menstrual cycle disorders, decreased potency and sexual desire (in male patients). Intolerance to heat and cold may be added to the listed symptoms.
With advanced hypothyroidism in its chronic form and, as a rule, in elderly patients, the development of a hypothyroid coma with a deep lesion of consciousness and organ functions can be observed.
Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
The diagnosis of hypothyroidism should be established by an endocrinologist based on anamnesis, objective complaints and examination data. To clarify the diagnosis, the following studies are used:
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland (helps to determine the structure and size of the gland);
Blood for biochemistry (with a low production of thyroid hormones in the blood, an increased level of lipids and cholesterol will be observed);
Blood for TSH and T4 (thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone);
Scintigraphy and biopsy of the gland for further cytological examination.
Treatment of hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism therapy is based on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Taking into account the duration of the pathological process, its depth, and the age of the patient, individual doses of medications should be selected by the doctor. As a rule, therapy is prescribed for life. At its first stage, hormone deficiency is urgently eliminated. In the future, a maintenance dose of drugs is selected.
For children, the dose of drugs is prescribed on the contrary, from less to more, since the appointment of such drugs can cause them excessive mental excitability. Modern drugs for such therapy are convenient to use and often require a single dose per day. To prevent deterioration of the condition, patients are shown to undergo periodic examinations and tests according to the directions of an endocrinologist.
Prevention of hypothyroidism
Among the main preventive measures that prevent the development of this disease should be highlighted:
Providing the diet with iodine (introducing products rich in this element into it)
Timely therapy of pathological conditions of the thyroid gland.
