Hypothyroidism is primarily require replacement therapy, it is realized in the late XIX century, when the patient was first appointed as hypothyroidism extract from thyroid tissue of sheep. Thus, in hypothyroidism was first used replacement therapy.

Basic principles of treatment of hypothyroidism

Treatment of hypothyroidism is carried out only after the establishment of the final diagnosis and determine the cause of decreased thyroid gland. In the treatment of primary hypothyroidism is assigned a comprehensive treatment: proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, vitamin therapy, substitution therapy with thyroid cancer.

Secondary hypothyroidism is sometimes not only requires this treatment. Thus, in hypothyroidism, resulting from a tumor of the pituitary gland to restore the condition of the patient, you must first remove the tumor, and then, if necessary, appoint a replacement therapy.

Meals patients with hypothyroidism

In hypothyroidism suffers primarily metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting So the power of patients with this disease is of great importance. It should be complete, with plenty of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

If a patient has excess weight, it is necessary to strive to reduce it by restricting calorie intake by fatty meat, fish, dairy products, as well as easily digestible carbohydrates (sweets and baking).

With the development of iron deficiency anemia in patients with diet should be lean meat, liver, eggs, fish eggs - in these foods contain iron in easily digestible form. Moreover, absorption of iron is needed for vitamin C - it can be obtained from fruits and berries.

Medical treatment of hypothyroidism

To improve the metabolism of patients prescribed vitamins and minerals. Especially patients need vitamins A, C and Group B. With the development of iron deficiency anemia prescribers iron with vitamin C.

The mainstay of treatment of hypothyroidism is replacement therapy. Appointed by the thyroid drugs which are gradually eliminate symptoms of hypothyroidism. Today, as replacement therapy applies a L-thyroxine - a synthetic analogue of the natural tiroksina.Etot drug after absorption into the bloodstream to the liver and splits it to form triiodothyronine. Triiodothyronine enters the tissue cells, exerting a positive influence on their growth, development and metabolism.

In small doses, a L-thyroxine improves protein and fat metabolism, in the middle - stimulates the growth and development of tissues, causes the acceleration of metabolic processes and tissue oxygen demand, stimulates metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, increases the efficiency of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

But if you apply large doses of the drug, it will inhibit the production of hormones of the hypothalamus (region of the brain responsible for the entire endocrine activity) and the pituitary gland (the main endocrine glands). The hypothalamus and pituitary hormones stimulate their production of thyroid secretion.

The first signs of improvement against the backdrop of substitution treatment appear not earlier than in a week. Prescribe medication for a long time, often for life. If treatment is given to patients with severe hypothyroidism, the start is usually with a very small dose, gradually (every two weeks), increasing it to a dose corresponding to the disease and the patient's age.

L-thyroxine is usually no side effects when it is received by a doctor and under the control of thyroid hormones in the blood. But an overdose of the drug is very dangerous. At the same symptoms that are typical of hyperthyroidism with an increased amount of thyroid hormones in the blood: palpitations, irregular heartbeat, heart pain Pain in the heart - always consult a doctor , Anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease? , Insomnia, trembling of the limbs and body, excessive sweating enhanced appetite, weight loss, and diarrhea. When these signs are usually there is a break in treatment for several days, and then prescribe the drug at a lower dose.

Contraindications for the use of L-thyroxine Thyroxine - the main thyroid hormone   They are individual intolerance of components, thyrotoxicosis, myocardial infarction, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), adrenal insufficiency.

Treatment of mental disorders is primarily in the treatment of the main diseases of the endocrine (hormone replacement therapy), also apply symptomatic psychopharmacological agents (central nervous system stimulants, anti-depressants).

In primary hypothyroidism timely adequate treatment eliminates all symptoms of the disease, restores the ability to work, but recovery does not occur, and if the replacement therapy is interrupted, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will return. In secondary hypothyroidism prognosis depends on the nature of the defeat of the hypothalamic-pituitary region.

Galina Romanenko

Hyperthyroidism - a disorder in which the over-activity of the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of hormones. Thyroid hormones stimulate the metabolism and accelerate all processes occurring in the body. According to statistics, hyperthyroidism is particularly common in women aged 20 to 40 years.

There are several possible triggers hyperthyroidism, such as inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) or taking too large doses of drugs for the treatment of hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by Graves' disease, which triggers are sometimes very strong emotional stress caused by an infection or immune deficiency. The causes hyperstimulation of the thyroid gland may be benign tumors and toxic thyroid adenoma, or Plummer's disease.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

• Sudden mood swings: Irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Irritability, nervousness and anxiety Anxiety - how to distinguish normal from disease? ;
• Weak concentration, which can affect the quality of work;
• Increased appetite: because of the accelerated metabolism, patients with hyperthyroidism often eat more than healthy people with equal energy needs, although they did not gain weight;
• Frequent defecation. In rare cases - diarrhea;
• Uncontrolled weight loss;
• Increased body temperature, sweating and heat intolerance;
• Thinning hair and the weakening of bone tissue;
• Irregular menstrual cycle. Typically, the amount of menstrual discharge is reduced;
• Neuromuscular hyperactivity. Some patients experience tremors and even hyperreflexia;
• Increased heart rate. Sometimes, rapid pulse is accompanied by nausea, general malaise.

In some cases, patients with hyperthyroidism, there are features such as goiter and exophthalmos (exophthalmia).

Diagnostics

Usually, your doctor may suspect hyperthyroidism on the basis of an oral narrative of the patient about their symptoms, and responses to specific questions. If you have a character of hyperthyroidism doctor will prescribe blood tests and thyroid hormones. Measured levels of three hormones: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine Thyroxine - the main thyroid hormone   (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid gland, and T3 and T4 are allocated under the impact of its stimulation, so to determine the amount of blood in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is particularly important. If the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, the TSH level is reduced - as the body tries to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood.

Treatment

There are several methods for treating hyperthyroidism, and are selected depending on the cause of the disease and its severity. Some treatments only treat the symptoms, not the underlying disease, other reduce the activity of the thyroid gland.

Antithyroid drugs such as methimazole (Tapazol) or propylthiouracil inhibit processes in which the thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones. After the start of treatment may take several months before the symptoms of hyperthyroidism will be much less pronounced. This is due to the fact that the thyroid gland has managed to develop and put "in reserve" a sufficient amount of hormones that for some time their blood levels remained elevated.

Treatment with radioactive iodine. Patients receiving this type of therapy takes radioactive iodine orally. The thyroid gland, which normally enters the body absorbs iodine and absorbs radioactive iodine, which gradually destroys the cells of the prostate. As a result, the thyroid gland decreases, symptoms of hyperthyroidism disappear, metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting   It slows down - it all happens slowly, over several months. Most patients eventually becomes too slow metabolism, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism. In such cases, the appointed agents for hormone replacement therapy of thyroid cancer that person has to take throughout their lives.

Beta-blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Lopressor) are often prescribed to treat heart disease and high blood pressure. They are also advised to take at heart palpitations, and muscle tremors characteristic of Graves' disease.

There are alternative, natural remedies for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. They rarely cause side effects, but are often not sufficiently potent and can help only with milder forms of the disease. These herbs like Ajuga reptans, lemon balm and motherwort are able to some extent to reduce the activity of the thyroid gland. Acupuncture and massage help with neuromuscular hyperactivity. Due to effects on the specific points, acupuncture soothes muscles. Massage, on the other hand, promote relaxation of the body.

In addition, patients with hyperthyroidism, regardless of the chosen method of treatment, it is important to follow a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight and to try to minimize the weight reduction even with an accelerated metabolism. To prevent a decrease in bone density, you should take supplements containing calcium and vitamin D. Finally, because stress is one of the triggers hyperthyroidism, will be helpful to learn relaxation techniques, and to provide sufficient time for a rest.