Various nodules in the thyroid gland are found in almost half of the women, as well as frequently in men. If the node is small and does not manifest itself, in most cases it is not revealed. Large nodules called goiter. The disease is still the doctors knew antiquity.
Why and how a nodular goiter of the thyroid gland
Increased thyroid gland may develop as against increase, and on the background of decreased this body is called goiter (hyper- and hypothyroid goiter). In some cases, thyroid enlargement
Increase in thyroid - that underlies the disease
not related to the increase or decrease of its function (euthyroid goiter).
Most crop growing in low iodine content in food and water (goiter), or when insufficient assimilation (sporadic goiter, for example, if a person uses a lot of products that prevent the absorption of iodine - soybeans, cabbage, peaches
Peaches: benefits and harms of sun fruits
, Spinach). Thus there is a stimulation of the thyroid hormones of the anterior pituitary, which leads to the growth of breast tissue. When nodular goiter cancer growths are focal character. This units are enclosed in a thin connective tissue capsule. The nodes can be single (solitary) and multiple. Their size, shape and density, can vary considerably. Squeezing large nodes surrounding thyroid tissue may lead to the development of atrophic phenomena. It is also possible, and cystic malignant degeneration of these nodes.
With increased thyroid function and its possible expansion of the tissue in the form of one or more nodes that are actually benign tumors - adenomas that produce large amounts of production of thyroid hormones. Such nodes may also regenerate into malignant tumors.
Symptoms
Symptoms of nodular goiter depends on its origin and type. For example, in low thyroid function at a palpation it is possible to detect the nodes of different density and mobility. Sometimes the magnitude and location of the nodes are such as to cause compression of adjacent organs - trachea, esophagus, blood vessels. Circulatory disorders may lead to vasodilatation of the neck and the front surface of the chest. Over time, this can lead to goiter hypothyroidism - lethargy, memory impairment, dryness and peeling of the skin, hair loss and so on.
Euthyroid goiter can lead to circulatory disorders in the form of "the thymus of the heart" with the increase in pressure in the pulmonary circulation and the risk of pulmonary edema. When hemorrhage in goiter size it usually increases, it becomes stressful, painful.
When nodal toxic goiter patient developed symptoms of hyperthyroidism - weight loss, increased heart rate, fever, thirst, irritability
Irritability - you try to control my temper
, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal liver function. There may also develop severe complications of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.
As revealed nodular goiter
Most often nodular goiter finds a patient himself - he distorts the neck. But sometimes, if the nodes are small, they are a random finding during ultrasonography (US) of the neck. In the US, not only visible nodules in the thyroid gland, but their detailed structure - the presence of a capsule, liquid deposits of calcium salts, proliferation of connective tissue in the node.
After identifying an ultrasound nodes in the thyroid gland is performed needle aspiration biopsy the prostate (FNA) - under the control of the ultrasonic beam assembly is pierced and its contents aspirated (drawn out with a syringe) for laboratory research. Cytology punctate identifies cells and to determine the structure of the assembly, including the deletion of his malignant origin.
We also investigate the blood for thyroid hormones
Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects
pituitary and thyroid stimulating hormone.
Later held scintigraphy - a study of the thyroid gland with iodine radioisotope. This study identifies the nodes that produce thyroid hormones as well as the rest of iron ("warm" sites), an increased amount of hormones ("hot" nodes) and the lack of production of hormones ("cold" nodes). "Cold" components are considered the most dangerous in terms of degeneration into a malignant tumor.
From the survey results depends on the tactics of treatment of nodular goiter and prognosis of the disease. Therefore, the nodes in the thyroid gland should be identified as early as possible - this will allow for the timely adequate treatment of this disease.
Galina Romanenko
