Euthyroidism Of The Thyroid Gland - What Is It? Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Thyroid euthyroidism

With euthyroidism, the thyroid gland is disrupted. This state can be called borderline. If treatment is not started on time, then the disease threatens with a transition to such severe forms as diffuse or nodular goiter. Therefore, when a person is diagnosed with euthyroidism, he should be regularly observed by a doctor.

Euthyroidism negatively affects the functioning of the body as a whole. It is difficult to identify the disease, since it is not always possible to determine the pathological process by the level of hormones T3, T4 and TSH. Therefore, it is so important to know the main symptoms of euthyroidism. This will allow you to see a doctor on time and start treatment.

Content:

• What is euthyroidism?
• Euthyroidism - causes
• Symptoms
• Form and degree of the disease
• What is the danger of euthyroidism?
• Diagnosis of euthyroidism
• Treatment of euthyroidism of the thyroid gland
• Diet and other aspects of nutrition
• Who is at risk?
• Prevention

What is euthyroidism?

Euthyroidism is a pathological change in the thyroid gland, which, with properly selected therapy, is reversible. In this disease, the functionality of the organ remains intact.

It is important to distinguish the symptoms of euthyroidism from the symptoms of other thyroid pathologies, including:

• Hypothyroidism In this case, the patient develops persistent deficiency of thyroid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). They are produced in the body little, or they are quickly destroyed. While the level of the pituitary hormone (TSH) remains elevated.
• Hyperthyroidism. With this disease, there is a hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. The patient will have increased levels of hormones such as T3 and T4.

An important distinguishing characteristic of euthyroidism is that in this disease, the tissue of the thyroid gland grows, but the level of hormones remains within the normal range. Nevertheless, it is impossible to call a person with euthyroidism absolutely healthy. A hormonal surge can occur at any time. Moreover, it is not known whether the level of thyroid hormones will decrease, or, on the contrary, will increase.

As a rule, euthyroidism does not last long. In the patient's body, serious disorders occur, concerning, first of all, the performance of the thyroid gland. Therefore, it is so important to recognize the disease at an early stage of development.

The fact is that thyroid hormones are responsible for such important processes as:

• The growth and development of the organism as a whole.
• Control of the work of the digestive tract, nervous system, heart and blood vessels, musculoskeletal system, reproductive function.
• Regulation of metabolic processes. Hormones are involved in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Without them, it is impossible to maintain a normal water-salt balance in the body.
• The formation of the immune system.
• Stress tolerance.

Euthyroidism - causes

There are several reasons that can lead to the development of euthyroidism, including:

• Iodine deficiency in the body. When there is little iodine, the thyroid gland begins to increase in size, which becomes the basis for the development of various serious diseases.
• Hereditary predisposition. If a person's close relatives suffer from thyroid pathologies, then it is likely that he will also face a similar problem. To recognize the disease in time, you need to undergo a thorough examination.
• Prolonged stress.
• Infectious diseases. Diseases such as tonsillitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis can provoke euthyroidism.
• Frequent and uncontrolled use of antibiotics or hormonal drugs.
• Inflammatory processes localized in the thyroid gland itself.
• Living in unfavorable environmental conditions.

During pregnancy

Euthyroidism can be found in pregnant women who have previously suffered from hyperthyroidism. The level of hormones returns to normal, as the body desperately needs them during this period.

When the decrease in thyroid hormones does not occur, the doctor will recommend drugs to correct the hormonal background. Medical recommendations should not be ignored, since the course of pregnancy and the health of the child depend on it. Therefore, all women with hyperthyroidism need to achieve euthyroidism at least for the period of gestation.

Symptoms of euthyroidism

Since with euthyroidism, the thyroid gland continues to produce the same amount of hormones as before, the symptoms of the disease will be mild. People go to the doctor after they find that their neck is enlarged. Moreover, they consider this to be an exclusively cosmetological problem. The first symptoms of euthyroidism appear from the nervous system.

Nervous system. The person becomes apathetic, may become depressed. Moreover, no obvious reason for this condition will be identified. Memory begins to deteriorate, cognitive processes in general suffer. If hypothyroidism is congenital, then the child develops cretinism.

Women note their hearing impairment, their vision begins to deteriorate. Numbness of the limbs is common. Changes in the functioning of the nervous system lead to the appearance of symptoms from other organs.

Neck. A lump appears in the throat. This makes it difficult to swallow food. From time to time, or on an ongoing basis, a person experiences a pressing feeling in the neck. People compare this symptom to a loop sensation in the neck.

A heart. Its rhythm is disturbed. Moreover, failures can be both subtle and pronounced. They proceed either as extrasystoles (extraordinary heart beats), or as tachycardia (palpitations).

Weight. People with euthyroidism lose weight. At the same time, the person continues to eat as before, that is, he does not follow a special diet. He does not have any serious pathologies.

Form and degree of the disease

Depending on the severity of pathological symptoms, there are 3 degrees of euthyroidism:

1. First degree. The thyroid gland increases in size, but not much. It will not be possible to detect the proliferation of its tissues by palpation. There are no external signs of a change in its size.
2. Second degree. The thyroid gland increases in size, but it is also not possible to determine this by palpation.
3. Third degree. The thyroid gland increases significantly, this is noticeable on examination and on palpation.

With non-toxic goiter, the thyroid tissue increases in size, resulting in the formation of one or more nodes.

Varieties of nodular goiter with gland damage:

• Endemic. It is formed due to iodine deficiency in the body.
• Nodular goiter with euthyroidism. The gland increases in size, but there are no nodes in it.
• Nodular goiter 1 degree. In such a goiter, 1 node is formed.
• Nodular goiter 2 degrees. In this case, several nodes are formed in the thyroid gland at once.
• Nodular goiter with multiple knots intertwined with each other.

Depending on the stage of development of the disease, the patient will have different symptoms of euthyroidism.

The doctor, during palpation and examination of the thyroid gland, can detect both its diffuse structure and several nodes. There can be several or one of them. Sometimes they merge into a single entity. With euthyroidism, the formation of a mixed goiter is also possible. At the same time, both diffuse and nodular tissues will be present in it. This type of disease is most often diagnosed in older women.

Could there be a nodular euthyroid goiter?

A nodular euthyroid goiter may be found in a patient, but it will not persist for a long time. When diagnosed with nodular euthyroid goiter, experts talk about the functional autonomy of the thyroid gland. After a short period of time, such a goiter is transformed into a thyrotoxic one.

Diffuse and hypertrophic changes in thyrocytes occur only at an early stage of the development of the disease. Thyrocytes have a different ability to proliferate, therefore, in some areas of the gland, cells divide faster, and in others - slower. For this reason, the patient develops a multinodular euthyroid goiter. When these pathological changes are completed, the transformed gland will begin to produce triiodothyronine, regardless of the commands given by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

What is the danger of euthyroidism?

Euthyroidism can be considered a safe condition, but only as long as a person's blood levels are normal. If the disorder develops rapidly, then the patient will form a nodular goiter. This pathology requires emergency therapy.

If you ignore the disease, then after a while, serious complications may arise. The likelihood of the formation of a malignant tumor, or clamping of the trachea increases. In such a situation, the thyroid gland must be removed.

Other complications of euthyroidism include:

• Deterioration or loss of memory.
• Panic attacks.
• Disruptions in the menstrual cycle.
• Primary infertility.
• Depression.
• High blood cholesterol.

Video: surgeon, doctor of medical sciences Kosovan Viktor Nikolaevich will talk about the methods of treatment of nodular goiter with euthyroidism:

Diagnosis of euthyroidism

The main methods for diagnosing euthyroidism:

• Visual examination of the patient, palpation of the thyroid gland.
• Determination of the level of TSH, T3 and T4.
• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland. During the examination, it is possible to accurately establish the size of the organ, detect cysts, nodes, a tumor, etc. in it.
• Fine needle biopsy and scintigraphy. These methods are indicated for implementation if nodal changes are found in the tissues of the gland.
• An immunogram during which antibodies to thyroglobulin, as well as to the cells of the gland itself, are detected.

Based on the diagnostic data obtained, the doctor recommends treatment. Sometimes they simply continue to monitor the patient, and the person himself will need to perform certain preventive measures. This tactic of management is implemented in the case when the gland remains in a stable state, does not grow, and there are no pathological changes in it. The same applies to hormonal levels.

Treatment of euthyroidism of the thyroid gland

Many patients diagnosed with euthyroidism are not given immediate treatment. The person is given recommendations on how to lead a lifestyle. He will need to be regularly monitored by an endocrinologist, monitoring the state of the thyroid gland. It is necessary to donate blood to the level of hormones at least once every six months. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is performed once a year.

Drug therapy

If the patient does not feel well, or he develops some symptoms associated with the pathology of the thyroid gland, he is prescribed therapy. Drugs that can be prescribed to patients with euthyroidism:

Microiodide. This medicine is available as a tablet. Thanks to their reception, it is possible to regulate metabolic processes. The main active ingredient is molecular iodine and potassium iodide.

The drug is not prescribed for women in position, for patients with neurosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as in the presence of an allergic reaction of the body to its components.

The cost of the tablets is about 116 rubles.

Potassium iodide. The drug is available in tablet form. It contains crystalline iodine and potassium iodide. It is widely used to treat hyperthyroidism.

It is forbidden to prescribe pills to people with intolerance to the main active ingredients, as well as women in position. Self-medication is unacceptable. The dose should be adjusted by the doctor. The cost of the drug is 87.5 rubles.

Antistramine. The drug is available in tablets. It should be taken by patients with iodine deficiency. It is prescribed for prophylactic purposes, as well as for the treatment of nodular goiter. The main active ingredient is potassium iodide. The drug should not be taken by pregnant women, patients with hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis and dermatitis.

The cost of the tablets is 210 rubles.

Yodamarin. Tablets are prescribed for the treatment and prevention of thyroid diseases. The active ingredient is potassium iodide. Iodamarin is not used to treat patients with hyperthyroidism and dermatitis, as well as those with allergies to its components.

The cost of packaging the medicinal product is 200 rubles.

Levothyroxine. This drug is prescribed for patients with iodine deficiency. Its reception allows you to prevent the development of thyroid cancer and the formation of goiter. The main active ingredient is sodium levothyroxine. It is forbidden to prescribe pills to persons with individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

You will need to pay 108 rubles for packaging.

Surgical intervention

Euthyroidism rarely becomes the basis for surgical intervention. It can be shown to those patients in whom thyroid tissue is characterized by an accelerated growth rate (provided that it is not possible to slow it down with medication). Surgery is indispensable for people whose thyroid cells have begun to degenerate into cancerous ones.

The operation is carried out using the small incision technique. The doctor removes the overgrown tissue. The incisions made will heal quickly, and the scars left after them will be almost invisible. The main difficulty faced by the surgeon is determining the exact size of the tissue to be removed. If a mistake is made, the patient will develop hypothyroidism.

In this regard, only an experienced endocrinologist-surgeon can be allowed to perform the operation.

Access to the altered tissues is carried out using endoscopic equipment. This avoids high trauma. Patient recovery is fast. As a rule, after 3 days he is discharged from the hospital. When the tissues are completely regenerated, a barely visible scar will remain on the neck.

Physiotherapy methods

In order to cope with the disease faster, the doctor may recommend methods of physiotherapy to the patient.

Ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound therapy involves the impact on the body of thermal and mechanical effects. It is carried out using ultrasonic waves that emanate from a special apparatus at a certain frequency.

The effect is on the neck area, which improves tissue nutrition, increases blood flow, and normalizes metabolic processes. The inflammation can be stopped faster.

Laser therapy. The treatment is carried out using a laser. Due to its effect on the affected area, tissues are quickly restored, blood vessels expand, blood rushes more to the thyroid gland. If the tissues of the thyroid gland were damaged by exposure to radiation, then the DNA under the influence of the laser will restore its structure.

Another effect of laser treatment for euthyroidism is the acceleration of metabolic processes in the body.

Magnetic laser therapy. Magnetic laser therapy involves influencing the thyroid gland using electromagnetic fields. After a course of procedures, patients note that the inflammation passes, painful sensations disappear. Metabolic processes in tissues are activated, due to which cells are restored much faster.

Singlet oxygen cocktails. The steam-water mixture is activated with the help of an apparatus, due to which oxygen goes into a singlet state. The use of such water allows you to accelerate metabolic processes in the body, remove harmful compounds from it, improve the condition of cells, and normalize blood circulation.

Cocktails are indicated for admission to patients who have been diagnosed with goiter. However, their positive effect extends to all body systems.

Apipuncture is a treatment with bee venom. After entering the body in small doses, it has a beneficial effect on the patient's nervous system, increases blood flow, normalizes sleep, and eliminates headache.

It will not be possible to completely cope with euthyroidism due to bee stings, but it is quite possible to stop its symptoms. In terms of its effect, this procedure is not inferior to acupuncture.

Diet and other aspects of nutrition

If it was possible to establish that the cause of euthyroidism is hidden in iodine deficiency, then you can try to cope with the problem with a diet.

The menu should include products such as:

• Marine fish: hake, pollock, haddock, capelin, cod.
• Shrimp.
• Squids.
• Feijoa.
• Seaweed.
• Persimmon.
• Liver.
• Spinach.
• Eggs.

Most iodine can be obtained from fish, seaweed and seafood.

When a person develops obesity against the background of euthyroidism, it is necessary to adjust the diet in such a way that it contributes to a decrease in body weight.

The menu excludes such foods and drinks as:

• Flour dishes.
• Fatty food.
• Smoked products.
• Fast food.
• Alcohol.
• Confectionery and other sweets.

A person should eat food that is a source of fiber. Salads should be prepared with fresh vegetables. Be sure to supplement the diet with bran, cereals, nuts. Of the cereals, oatmeal and buckwheat are considered especially useful.

Who is at risk?

The following individuals are more likely to develop euthyroidism:

• People whose close relatives have been diagnosed with euthyroidism.
• People with inflammatory diseases of the thyroid gland.
• People who spend a lot of time in the sun.
• People subject to frequent stress.
• People with chronic nasopharyngeal diseases.
• People living in unfavorable environmental conditions.
• Pregnant women whose body needs minerals.
• Patients taking antibiotics or hormones.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of developing euthyroidism, the following preventive measures must be taken:

• You should visit your endocrinologist regularly.
• It is important to avoid exposing the body to ultraviolet radiation and radiation.
• It is necessary to treat all infectious diseases in the body on time.
• Any drugs should be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor.
• The menu should regularly include fish and seafood.
• You need to visit regions where there is a sea or ocean as often as possible.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).