Euthyroidism - what is it: a disease or condition? What is dangerous euthyroidism?

Often patients who do not have any appreciable problems with the thyroid gland are diagnosed with euthyroidism. What does this mean? Is euthyroidism a disease? What influences its appearance and how to get rid of it?

What is the diagnosis of "euthyroidism"

Answering the question about euthyroidism - what is it, it is more correct to say that this is a condition of the thyroid gland preceded by its disease or borderline between illness and health. With euthyroidism, all thyroid hormones are normal, and the patient does not experience almost any problems, however, in his thyroid gland, with the help of ultrasound or other examinations, pathological changes are found. "Hormones in the norm" means that the thyroid gland works, in principle, as expected. However, a person with a diagnosis of "thyroid euthyroidism" should not relax, because this small piece of iron, in comparison with the size of a human body, is not without reason called the master of disguise. Often she does not show any changes that have begun in her until they develop into a serious illness. So, against the background of euthyroidism, the development of the syndrome of euthyroid pathology, autoimmune thyroiditis, goitre and even thyroid cancer is possible. Bright symptoms of these diseases will manifest only when the body is no longer able to produce the right amount of hormones.

Causes of euthyroidism

Any problems with the thyroid gland is caused first of all by the lack of iodine in the body. This element is involved in the production of thyroid hormones. At the slightest of its deficiencies, the thyroid gland begins to increase in order to "take" as much of the iodine as possible. Its overabundance is also undesirable, because at the same time the production of hormones is blocked, and the thyroid gland decreases in size. Unfavorable living and working conditions of a person not less than the abnormal consumption of iodine affect the fact that there is euthyroidism. What does this mean - unfavorable conditions? These are stresses, lack of sleep, a state of constant tension of the nervous system. Also, a high radiation background, a large amount of ultraviolet (constant prolonged exposure to the sun), the intake of cobalt, strontium, mercury, lead, arsenic into the body cause a failure in the thyroid gland activity, which is related to the peculiarities of the working conditions of a person. Euthyroidism can also occur against the background of infectious diseases, thyroid gland injuries, surgical interventions and as a side effect when taking certain medications.

Symptomatics

Often people are surprised by the diagnosis of "euthyroidism". That this disease they have, show only ultrasound and some additional studies. However, there are a number of symptoms that are, as it were, an indicator that the thyroid gland is not all right, even if the hormone analysis is normal. Such symptoms include:

- excessive, sometimes groundless nervousness;

- fast fatiguability;

- small swelling in the neck;

- Sometimes there is difficulty swallowing, in the throat is felt some kind of lump;

- at palpation the doctor can find out in the region of the neck small nodular formations; Mostly they are painless, and only occasionally patients complain of discomfort, for example, when the neck is squeezed by the collar of clothing.

Nodular goiter - one of the forms of euthyroidism

According to medical statistics, at 4% of the population at inspection at the endocrinologist in district of a neck small (1-1,5 sm) nodules are found out. They can be located one by one (solitary) or groups. Most often the patient pays attention to these formations when they become noticeable visually or when the pain begins to be felt when swallowing. This disease is called "nodal goiter." Euthyroidism of the thyroid gland is the main background of its manifestation, since the thyroid hormones T3, T4, TTG are almost always within the acceptable values. If this pathology is detected, the doctor must appoint additional examinations, including ultrasound, a radioisotope analysis for thyroid hormones to the patient. In some cases, especially with a single node, a puncture biopsy and a cytological examination of the sample are performed. If the nodular goiter increases too quickly or the patient consults the doctor, when the tumor has reached a significant size, the doctor can prescribe an x-ray of the chest area with the introduction of barium into the esophagus to contrast the result.

Treatment

With the diagnosis of "euthyroidism" treatment is required only in those cases where the pathology of the thyroid gland is progressing. If her condition is stable, the measures are limited to more frequent monitoring by the doctor. The patient is recommended a gentle regime of the day, a balanced diet. If necessary, conservative treatment with iodine preparations or with "Levothyroxine" can be prescribed. If the size of the thyroid gland is too large, surgical intervention is possible. Also, the operation is performed if several nodules with a size of more than 1 centimeter are found on the neck.