The first signs of thyroid disease

Thyroid problems negatively affect the work of all systems of the body and increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular system, sexual dysfunction, depression, Depression - a little more than a bad mood , Problems with conception and other diseases. That is why it is very important to diagnose thyroid disease in early stages and to recognize the early signs of thyroid disease.

Some of the most common early signs of thyroid disease include the following symptoms:

• Pain in muscles and joints

Discomfort and pain in muscles and joints, weakness of the arms and legs, the emergence tunnel syndrome may indicate problems with the thyroid gland.

• Discomfort in the neck or swelling of the neck

The feeling of swelling of the neck, diskoforta in the neck, a hoarse voice, a marked increase in thyroid - direct signs of thyroid disease.

• Changes in skin and hair

Skin and hair are particularly vulnerable to violations of thyroid function: for example, one of the first consequences of thyroid problems is often the hair loss. Hypothyroidism, decreased activity of the thyroid gland, causes the hair to become dry, brittle, fragile, easy to break and fall out. The skin becomes rough, dense, dry and starts to peel off. Very often, hypothyroidism is accompanied by an abnormal loss of hair from the eyebrows. Hyperthyroidism also leads to hair loss, and skin becomes thin and fragile.

• Bowel problems

One of the first signs of hypothyroidism - long constipation and diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome are characteristic of hyperthyroidism.

• Menstrual irregularities and fertility problems

Heavy, frequent and painful menstruation characteristic of hypothyroidism and irregular, shorter menstrual periods - for hyperthyroidism. In some cases of thyroid disease may cause problems with the ability to conceive.

• High cholesterol

High cholesterol that can not be normalized through proper diet, regular exercise, or special drugs, which lower cholesterol - one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Abnormally low levels of cholesterol may indicate hyperthyroidism.

• Depression, irritability

Depression, irritability, sudden panic attacks - one of the most common signs of thyroid disease. The most common cause of hypothyroidism bouts of depression and hyperthyroidism is accompanied by increased irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper   and panic attacks Panic attacks - fear of nowhere . Depression is not treatable with antidepressants, it may be a sign of thyroid disease.

• Fluctuations in weight

If a balanced diet and regular exercise does not help to lose or, conversely, gain weight, most likely "culprit" this situation - problems with the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism in most cases complicate weight loss due to slowing metabolism, hyperthyroidism, speeding up metabolism, causing sudden weight loss.

• Increased fatigue

One of the first signs of thyroid disease - fatigue, feeling tired even after normal sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams Characteristic of hypothyroidism. In hyperthyroidism often have sleep disorders and insomnia.

Cretinism

The thyroid gland - an organ that is located on the front of the neck, and released into the blood and lymph hormones that regulate processes of growth, development, differentiation (acquisition of features, typical for this type of tissue) tissues and metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting   in the body. Therefore, any change in the thyroid gland The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones   inevitably leads to numerous violations throughout the body.

What is hypoplasia of the thyroid gland and why it occurs

Hypoplasia of the thyroid gland - is a congenital malformation, comprising the underdevelopment of its fabric. It does not apply hypoplasia acquired a decrease in the volume of the prostate - a condition called atrophy of the thyroid gland. Deficiency of thyroid hormones Thyroid hormones: mechanism of action and physiological effects   (thyroid hormones) inhibits the development of the brain tissue and inhibits the higher nervous activity, which is especially noticeable at an early age.

The cause hypoplasia Hypoplasia - a congenital malformation of the fetus   Thyroid is most often the lack of iodine in the body of a pregnant woman. In addition, hypoplasia of the thyroid gland may occur against the backdrop of various defects fetal development, in untreated hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroid function) mother.

Hypoplasia of the thyroid gland is found in the early childhood and is manifested by a sharp decrease in thyroid function (hypothyroidism) and cretinism.

What are the symptoms of thyroid hypoplasia in the first months of life

If thyroid hypoplasia expressed significantly already at 2-3 months of age, there are signs of hypothyroidism: an unusual baby lethargy, drowsiness, lack of normal reactions to light and sound. These children long the physiological jaundice, there is a hoarse voice, constipation, they often refuse to eat.

In the future, there are no typical children's feelings of liveliness and movements disturbed pronunciation of sounds and words. After a few months of lag in the development of the child becomes apparent, and there are signs of cretinism - gaps in physical and mental development with signs of deep lesions of the central nervous system.

The manifestations of cretinism

Defining features of cretinism is a dramatic delay physical and mental development and the various disorders of the nervous system. The first signs of cretinism can be detected in the first months of life. As a rule, they are combined with signs of hypothyroidism. But most cretinism becomes apparent only 4-6 years of life.

There are two forms of cretinism: nervous and myxedema. Nervous form is characterized by impaired hearing and speech up to the deaf-mutism, a pronounced decrease in intelligence, neuromuscular disorders and various movement disorders. Symptoms of hypothyroidism in this form are mild.

When the form of signs of myxedema cretinism detected amid signs of hypothyroidism: lethargy, drowsiness, edema.

The appearance of these children is very characteristic and largely depends on the age at which the child began receiving replacement therapy in the form of thyroid hormone. If the child is not treated, it features a small increase, up to dwarfism, a violation of proportionality body (large head, short limbs), blunt expression of a broad round face with a flat broad nose and wide-set eyes, mouth, often half-open, tongue extended, a short neck, jutting belly. Musculature is poorly developed, clunky and slow motion, waddle gait. The skin is dry, the hair is thin and sparse, there is a delay of sexual development, underdevelopment of sexual organs, changes in the skeletal system (it does not correspond to the development of the child's age). Mental disorders can be of varying degrees - from mild to severe retardation mental retardation in the form of idiocy.

Diagnosis of this disease is vital: the earlier the disease is detected, the sooner treatment begins proper. Held ultrasound of the thyroid gland, to determine the level of thyroid hormones in the blood and bone X-ray determination of the child's age (bone age is usually lags behind the actual age).

Treatment

The main method of treatment of these children is the use of thyroid hormones (the sooner the better). Required appointed massage and physiotherapy, as a child is necessarily present a violation of movements and muscle tone.

Prognosis depends on the age at which treatment is started. Defects in brain development can be largely overcome if the treatment will be initiated in the first months after birth. The therapy started at a later age, can only eliminate the symptoms of hypothyroidism, but irreversible damage neuropsychological development can not be correct.

Galina Romanenko