Thyroid gland is one of the main glandsthe internal secretion, the hormones of which regulate the metabolic processes of the whole organism. It is located in the neck, in front of the larynx. The weight of this organ on the average is from 30 to 40 grams. Morphofunctional unit of the thyroid gland are follicular cells, in which two vitally important iodinated hormones are formed: thyroxine and triiodothyronine, as well as one non-iodinated - calcitonin. The functional task of these hormones are:
Thyroid gland, the signs of which areare caused either by its hypofunction or by hyperfunction, it obeys the control of the pituitary-hypothalamic system. The hypothalamus, the highest regulator or reducer of the neuroendocrine system, and adenohypophysis in the norm of a completely healthy person due to complex neurochemical reactions ensure the control of the thyroid gland. It is from the well-coordinated work of these two anatomical structures that the increase in the production of hormones in the thyroid follicles due to their deficiency depends, as well as the slowing of their production when the organism is saturated with these very important and necessary biologically active substances.
Thyroid gland (signs of the disease, itshyperfunction, are manifested by weight loss, increased sweating and nervous excitability), among other things, regulates blood pressure. Therefore, along with the above signs of hyperproduction of thyroid hormones, there is another important point - a persistent and very unstable increase in blood pressure, difficult to be controlled by antihypertensive medication. Also there is a compensatory increase in this body, which is the thyroid gland, the signs of its disease in this case are represented by the following complaints:
All this serves as a vivid clinical picturediffuse-toxic goiter, the signs of this disease are so memorable that it will be very difficult to confuse the struma with some other pathology. A completely different situation is demonstrated by a decreased function of the thyroid gland. Symptoms are diametrically opposite: the patient is sluggish, apathetic, seems fat, eyes "swim", the patient always wants to sleep, the appetite is reduced, but this does not help him lose weight. The heartbeat is smooth, but slow, permanent constipation. Sometimes the thyroid gland, whose symptoms are associated with myxedema, may also be slightly enlarged. However, this hypertrophy does not progress, as in thyrotoxicosis.
A special condition occurs whensclerosing of the thyroid gland. A similar phenomenon occurs in autoimmune thyroiditis, which is also called "goiter of Hoshimoto", as well as in chronic fibroid thyroiditis, or "Ridella's craw". The end result of both pathological processes is the substitution of the glandular tissue of the thyroid gland with connective tissue, which, of course, can not produce thyroid hormones. These two diseases lead to disability of patients. They should always be differentiated from oncological conditions.
