The thyroid gland - an organ in the shape of a butterfly, located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroid gland is under the Adam's apple, along the front edge of the windpipe. In this gland two lateral lobes connected by an isthmus in the middle. If the thyroid gland is normal size, it is not detectable.

The thyroid gland is a red-brown color, because it is full of blood vessels. Also, the nerves pass through it, on which the voice of a man.

This important body releases several hormones, which are generally called thyroid hormones. Chief among them - the hormone thyroxine Thyroxine - the main thyroid hormone   (T4). Thyroid hormones are all over the body, it depends on them metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting Growth and development, as well as body temperature. Thyroid hormones are important in childhood brain development.

Thyroid disease

• Goiter. A general term for thyroid enlargement Increase in thyroid - that underlies the disease . Goiter may be harmless or it may signal a lack of iodine, or inflammation of the prostate gland (Hashimoto).
• Thyroiditis. Inflammation of the thyroid gland, usually due to a viral infection or autoimmune. Thyroiditis may be painful or even have no symptoms.
• Hyperthyroidism. Excessive production of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is usually caused by Graves' disease, or overactive thyroid nodules.
• Hypothyroidism. Too low amount of thyroid hormones. Usually, the cause of hypothyroidism is thyroid damage as a result of an autoimmune disease.
• Graves' disease. An autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is over-active, causing hyperthyroidism.
• Thyroid cancer. A rare form of cancer that is usually curable. For the treatment use operation, radiation and hormone therapy.
• The node in the thyroid gland. A small abnormal seal neoplasm. The nodes in the thyroid gland are common. Few of them can become cancerous. They may produce excess hormones, which leads to hyperthyroidism, or do not cause any problems.
• Thyrotoxic crisis. A rare form of hyperthyroidism, in which extremely high levels of thyroid hormone can cause serious illness.

Thyroid Screen

• Antibodies to thyroid hormones. In autoimmune thyroid disease these antibodies mistakenly attack the thyroid hormones.
• Ultrasound. Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland can detect whether there are abnormalities in the tissues.
• Scanning. A small amount of radioactive iodine is taken orally to obtain images of the thyroid gland, which absorbs Yoda.
• Biopsy. It is usually done with a special needle that extracts the tissue fragment. This is usually done to determine whether there is cancer.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is produced in the brain and regulates the production of thyroid hormones. If the blood test shows a high TSH means the thyroid hormone is not enough (hypothyroidism), and a low TSH suggests hyperthyroidism.
• T3 and T4 (thyroxine). The primary form of thyroid hormones is determined by a blood test.
• Thyroglobulin. The substance secreted by the thyroid gland, which can be used as a marker for thyroid cancer. It is measured at the repeated examination of the patient with thyroid cancer.
• Other ways to scan. If thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer: it is curable   It had metastasized, used to determine the computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography.

Treatment of thyroid

• Operation (thyroidectomy). The surgeon removes part or all of the thyroid gland in its entirety. The operation is performed at a cancer of the thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism, goiter.
• Antithyroid drugs. Drugs may reduce the excessive production of thyroid hormone in hyperthyroidism. The most common drug - methimazole and propiltiuratsil.
• Radioactive iodine. The same substance which is used in small doses for scanning the thyroid in large doses can be used to destroy cancer cells in the prostate.
• Radiation therapy. The radioactive beam is directed directly on the thyroid gland. Radiation kills cancer cells.
• Preparations of thyroid hormones. Daily intake of these drugs helps compensate for the lack of thyroid hormone. Such drugs are prescribed for hypothyroidism, as well as to prevent the recurrence of thyroid cancer.
• Recombinant human TSH. Injections of thyroid stimulating substances help to clearly identify cancer in the survey.

  What comes to mind when the word "testosterone"? Macho? Aggression, impatience, the behavior of the type alpha male? Violence? The role of testosterone in aggressive behavior greatly exaggerated. The functions of testosterone are very extensive. Of course, it is important for men's health. At the same time, and it plays a key role in the development of prostate cancer. In addition, testosterone is present in the female body.

The role of testosterone

Testosterone is the major male sex hormone; They are responsible for many functions, such as:

• Development of the penis and testicles
• Change the head during puberty
• Hair growth on the face and groin; later it can act as one of the contributing factors of alopecia
• Increasing and strengthening of muscle tissue
• The growth and consolidation of bone mass
• Libido
• Sperm

Adolescents with low testosterone voice tend facial hair and body hair growing in smaller quantities and nonuniformly, the voice becomes low, the genitalia increases slightly.

Testosterone also helps to maintain a stable mood. Testosterone production begins with the fact that the brain takes the appropriate signal the pituitary gland, which forwards it to the ovary, where it produces testosterone. A complex feedback system regulates the amount of testosterone in the blood. When testosterone levels rise too high, the brain gives the command to reduce the pituitary hormone.

In women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. This is one of a number of androgens (male sex hormones) that are produced in the female body. Testosterone affects the ovarian function, bone density and sexual behavior, including normal libido. For proper operation of the ovaries will be a certain balance between testosterone (together with other androgens) and estrogen Estrogen - the key to bone health .

In the body, testosterone is synthesized from cholesterol. It should not be concluded that the increase in cholesterol leads to an increase in testosterone levels. The brain is very carefully controls the production of hormones, to avoid such fluctuations.

Excess testosterone

Excess testosterone is not a common disorder among men. Even for men, characterized pronounced masculine appearance, violent behavior and sexual activity higher testosterone levels are usually normal. The level of testosterone can vary significantly during the day.

Excess testosterone can cause the following problems:

• Reducing the number of active sperm, impotence Impotence - a female perspective on the problem
• Damage to the heart muscle, increasing the risk of heart attack
• Increased prostate, difficulty urinating
• Liver Disease
• Acne
• Stagnation of fluids in the body, as a result - swelling of the limbs
• Weight Gain
• Elevated blood pressure
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Increased muscle mass
• Increased risk of blood clots
• Slower growth in adolescents
• Unusual for a particular person previously aggressive behavior
• Mood swings, euphoric state, delirium

The most common consequence of increased levels of testosterone in women is polycystic ovary syndrome. It is a common disorder, affecting between 6 and 10% of women before menopause. Its symptoms are: male-pattern baldness, excessive growth of hard black hair on the legs, torso and face, weight gain, depression, increased anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease? . For the treatment of commonly used drug spironolactone, blocks the action of male hormones.

Low testosterone levels

The normal level of testosterone in men as they age gradually reduced - by 1-2% per year (in contrast to the sharp drop in estrogen levels during menopause). Nevertheless, more than a third of men older than 45 years in varying degrees, are deficient in testosterone. Symptoms of a significant reduction in the level of this hormone can be:

• Loss of hair on the head and body
• Reduced muscle mass
• Decreased libido, impotence, reduction in sperm production, infertility
• Breast augmentation (female type)
• Hot flashes
• Irritability, weakening of attention, depression Depression - a little more than a bad mood
• Reduced bone density, bone fragility, increased risk of fractures and cracks

In adult men, testosterone is "responsible" for the normal functioning of reproductive organs, sperm production, and the development of muscle mass and maintain its tone. According to many doctors, men suffering from infertility or disorders of a sexual nature, are united by one feature - a very low level of testosterone.