The thyroid gland often develop nodes. A feature of this process is that it takes place entirely painless and many patients simply do not notice. Long duration of such a process can transition into a malignant tumor, so the nodes must be timely identified.

The nodes in the thyroid gland - what is it?

Thyroid nodules - is the formation of various sizes and structures having a capsule. The nodes can be felt, and if they are big enough and see. But the main way to detect them is ultrasound. Most components are benign, but can degenerate into cancer. For thyroid nodules are colloid nodular goiter, adenoma, thyroid cyst The thyroid gland cyst: presentation and survey   and some other diseases. Meet and malignant nodes.

The nodes in the thyroid gland The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones   often found, particularly among women, with age may increase the number of nodes. The reasons for this process may be a lack of iodine in food and water, various toxic effects on thyroid (for example, gasoline, lead, varnishes, inks, radiation, etc.), hereditary predisposition.

To develop as individual units (called solitary), and multiple. Nodes can produce thyroid hormones and cause hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects   Blood - toxic components), but can not produce a (non-toxic components).

Symptoms of thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules for a long time may not manifest itself in any way. Very large nodes may compress the adjacent organs, blood vessels and nerves. This leads to a sore throat, hoarseness in the voice, feeling short of breath, swallowing disorders. When squeezing the nerve trunks may receive pain. In malignant nodes are increased cervical lymph nodes.

Toxic producing hormones nodes cause hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism: increased secretion of thyroid hormone . At the same time there are palpitation, feeling hot, irritability, mood variability, protrusion of the eyeballs (exophthalmos).

During this process it may be different. Often asymptomatic, and the disease lasts a long time does not progress, sometimes nodes are growing very rapidly and as quickly dissolve. Cancerous nodes are growing very fast, they feel more solid. Sometimes benign nodes degenerate into malignant. Such degeneration more likely single knots.

How to identify sites

Often, even small units can be identified at baseline medical examination or inspection of other diseases. In comparison with the rest of the prostate tissue, they have a firm texture and therefore easily palpated.

Following the discovery site of the patient is usually sent for ultrasound (US), which set the size of the node and its structure. Be sure to also thyroid biopsy - using a fine needle puncture of the thyroid gland is done, the contents of the node is taken (fluid and cells) and sent for histological examination, which determines the node benign or malignant.

If necessary, also carried out a thyroid scan with radioactive iodine. This study reveals the so-called "hot", "warm" and "cold" nodes. "Hot" are called nodes, which quickly absorb radioactive iodine (more than healthy breast tissue), this means that the host produces hormones and may eventually cause hyperthyroidism. 'Warm' components also absorb radioactive iodine, but the same amount as the rest iron. The most dangerous are considered "cold" sites, which do not produce hormones and do not absorb radioactive iodine - they tend to degenerate into cancer, but it happens not so often.

The treatment of thyroid nodules

Treatment depends entirely on the survey results. For example, "warm" sites in which biopsy showed no abnormal (cancerous) cells are benign, so they are treated conservatively. Benign nodes may be treated with thyroid hormones (e.g., L-thyroxine), to reduce the amount of blood in the pituitary thyrotropic hormone - often reduces or even resorbable nodes. If such a node is increasing, it is removed.

"Cold" components often removed and the tissue for histological examination is given until the patient lies on the operating table. If histology confirms that the tumor is malignant, the entire thyroid gland removed and sometimes the nearby lymph nodes.

The main thing - it's time to identify the nodes in the thyroid gland.

Galina Romanenko

The thyroid gland has many functions in the body. She is involved in respiratory metabolism, exercise metabolism of nutrients, stimulates the production of growth hormone and doge affects the reproductive system. Few people know this, but almost all believe that any disease of the thyroid gland - is not only unpleasant, but also dangerous. Oddly enough, all kinds of goiters, hyperthyroidism and other not so frightens society (because information about these pathologies can be found at the doctor and other sources), as unknown concepts, such as the thyroid gland cyst The thyroid gland cyst: presentation and survey   or polycystic thyroid.

What is polycystic thyroid

Polycystic thyroid gland is not a clinical diagnosis, and belongs to the category of conclusions ultrasound (opinion there is only one point in the future diagnosis). About polycystic thyroid after its inspection in the US say that a specialist doctor detects the presence of multiple small cysts in the thyroid gland. Polycystic thyroid gland may be the first "bell", shows the development of, for example, goiter. Often polycystic develops in the background salt deficiency of iodine in the body and is a sign of thyroid tissue restructuring. It becomes clear that the treatment and prevention of polycystic thyroid gland is to fill a lack of iodine in the body.

The value of iodine

Thyroid hormones are involved in strengthening the immune system Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system Regulate respiratory and energy metabolism in cells removed from these harmful substances. Thyroxine, produced by the thyroid gland, 65% consists of iodine. About half of all stocks of iodine in the body is concentrated in the thyroid gland. With a lack of iodine iron can not cope with the formation of hormones, so the body needs, thus developing various pathological processes in it.

Treatment of iodine deficiency

For the treatment of iodine deficiency doctor usually appoints iodine tablets and solutions. The most common drug is antistrumin. The drug is given one tablet (containing 1 mg of iodine) once a day for six to twelve months. However, after the end of treatment is necessary for the purpose of iodine prophylaxis for several years.

Furthermore, possibly as treatment of iodine deficiency used UHF and microwaves decimeter physiotherapy. In case of a lack of iodine in the body salts (for example, polycystic thyroid) prescribe stronger drugs such as Yoditiroks and Tireokomb. Sometimes doctors recommend drugs thyroxine.

Prevention of iodine deficiency

In Russia, for the purpose of mass prophylaxis of iodine deficiency is produced iodized salt. Its use is especially significant to people living in endemic areas of iodine deficiency. Efficiency increases consumption of iodized salt when added in several ostuzhennym finished food (as in a hot environment is destroyed, potassium iodide).

In addition, there are a number of products with a high content of iodine. These include seaweed, seaweed, seafood, fish oil Fish oil - so whether it is useful to think? , Potatoes, garlic, onions, bananas Bananas: the benefits and harms health , Cranberries, nuts and others.

The benefits of seaweed

Laminaria involved in the process of rejuvenation, improves quality of life, extending the year, participates in the brain, enhances memory, and prevents the development of atherosclerosis. All of these properties are due to the positive content of seaweed series of essential trace elements and vitamins. In addition, seaweed prevents thrombosis and able to dissolve already formed cholesterol plaques.

Use chokeberry

Aronia, or chokeberry, in addition to the high content of iodine, is rich in vitamins (P, C, E, K, B1, B6, and others) as well as macro- and trace elements (boron, manganese, iron, copper, fluorine). Despite its harsh taste of chokeberry can be a wonderful cook jam or simply to wipe berries with sugar, which will be not only an additional source of iodine, and dessert.

Anna Sozinova