Thyroid gland disorders
What is solitary thyroid nodule? Could they be dangerous?
Swellings or nodules frequently arise within the thyroid glands. When the thyroid gland enlarges, the term goitre is commonly used to describe the condition. When a single nodule occurs in the thyroid, the term solitary nodule is used. This is in contrast with multi-nodular thyroid swellings which, as the name implies, contain many nodules within the thyroid. The incidence of thyroid nodules increases with age. It has been estimated that about 10% of the adult population have some form of thyroid nodules. Autopsy studies have revealed the presence of thyroid nodules in 50% of the population. Fortunately 95% of solitary thyroid nodules are benign. The chance of a solitary nodule being malignant is therefore only five percent.
What is hyperthyroidism hypothyroidism?
There are two main groups of thyroid management problems that doctors encounter clinically. The first is the problem of abnormal nodular growth in the thyroid gland while the second involves thyroid gland dysfunction. Misdiagnosis most frequently occurs in problems related to the latter group. A thyroid gland may become overactive and produce excessive amount of thyroid hormones (thyroxine) or under-secrete them. The former results in a condition called hyperthyroidism and the latter is termed hypothyroidism. Patients with hyperthyroidism frequently present non-specific symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability and weight loss. Assessment of ones blood thyroid hormone level will nail the diagnosis.
What is the cause of swelling in goitre? Can goitre cause compression pain?
Goitre results from abnormal thyroid tissue growth. This is caused by unregulated stimulation of thyroid tissue with resultant glandular growth. Depending on the extent of thyroid growth, goitres can compress anatomical structures near it. Compression of the main windpipe and neck veins has been described. Pain that results from such compressions is fortunately uncommon.
How curable are thyroid cancers?
Thyroid cancers are amongst the cancers with the best cure rates. These cancers consist of a diverse group of cancers with varying survival rates. Those commonly encountered are the papillary (65%) and the follicular (30%) types. Cure rates of more than 95% can frequently be attained when treated early and effectively. Unusual thyroid cancers include the medullary type (4%) and the anaplastic type (1%). The latter is extremely aggressive and gives poor prognosis.
What are the symptoms of thyroid cancers
Swelling at the front of the neck is the commonest presentation of thyroid cancers. Pain in the neck and hoarseness of voice are rare presentations of thyroid malignancies. These symptoms usually indicate advance thyroid malignant disease.
What are Free T3, T4 and TSH tests and why are they done?
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone that is secreted by pituitary gland in the brain. This hormone is responsible for stimulating thyroid cells into producing and secreting T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), two different active forms of thyroid hormones. It is T3 and T4 that modulates the metabolic activities of our bodies.
The problem with thyroid disorders (hyper or hypo states) is that the symptoms tend to be non-specific. Unless the GP taking care of the patient has a high index of suspicion, patients usually go untreated until the disease becomes more established and obvious.
With widespread annual full body check-ups offered by medical clinics, patients with deranged thyroid functions are now detected much earlier. Determining the levels of T3, T4 and TSH helps the clinician ascertain the nature of the thyroid disease and cause of the problem.
Why thyroid diseases are more in the hilly regions?
Iodine deficiency related goitres frequently affect communities in certain mountainous regions. One common reason is that in affected areas the soil in which foods are grown is iodine depleted. Hilly or mountainous regions and areas far from the sea are the ones most likely to be iodine deficient. Iodine deficiency related goitres tend to be more prevalent in developing countries. They are rare in developed countries because of widespread iodine supplementation.
What is Graves disease?
Graves Disease is a challenging condition that causes over-activity of the thyroid gland. The result is hyperthyroidism. The abnormally high thyroid hormone and the increase in body metabolism that results literally break down the body. The clinical effects include weight loss, rapid heart rate and nervousness. This is an uncommon disease that affects 2% of all women at some time in their lives, usually between the ages of 20 and 40.
Patients with this condition may be treated by anti-thyroid hormones (such as carbamazepine or PTU), cellular destruction of the thyroid gland by radio-iodine or by subtotal removal of the thyroid gland.
What role do thyroid hormones play in the physical and mental development of human?
The regulation of our bodys metabolism by the thyroid hormone is a complex affair. Our bodys growth and development, and its basal rate of metabolism are highly dependent on a functional thyroid gland. The physical and mental consequences of thyroid hormonal dysfunction can be severe and irreversible if hormonal imbalance is left uncorrected.
How is hypothyroidism an auto-immune disease?
The most well studied form of hypothyroidism associated with auto-immune disease is Hashimotos Thyroiditis. In this type of auto-immune thyroid disease, the patients immune system produces antibodies that attack and destroys the bodys own thyroid gland.
Most patients with this condition presents with non-specific symptoms of fatigue, depression, intolerance to cold, weight gain, mental dysfunction, muscle weakness, puffy face, dry skin and hair, constipation, muscle cramps, and goitre. There is medical evidence that Hashimotos Thyroiditis may have a hereditary link.
