Not every symptom of the disease is associated with the thyroid gland, but many signs are found in its diseases. Need to know about them and their combinations. This will allow you to timely check the status of the thyroid gland. We will also show the correct set of studies. Timely diagnosis and early (proper treatment) will rule out the development of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism of the nodes and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT).
Dr. A.V. Ushakov "Clinic of the thyroid gland" recommends that you pay attention to the following symptoms and their combinations.
1. General coldness and cold limbs (hands and feet).
The thyroid gland provides its hormones energy (high-calorie) needs of the body. Therefore, you should be alerted by the feeling of coldness in the whole body (chilliness) and separately in the hands and feet. These symptoms may be a sign of increased energy and thyroid hormone consumption (T3 and T4).
It so happens that a person does not feel how cold his limbs are. He gets used to them. Pay attention to this.
Like to warm up under the shower in autumn and winter? This is also a warning sign.
This symptom can occur in euthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism. Therefore, it is better to check the hormonal metabolism of the thyroid gland.
2. Dry and / or hardened skin.
This is a more pronounced symptom of thyroid hormone deficiency. It often happens with hypothyroidism and is not associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. It happens that dry skin is a sign of a disease of other organs or systems, i.e. not directly caused by a change in thyroid hormone metabolism.
3. Weakness (muscle). Fatigue of little work during the day, and especially in the evening.
It occurs in hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. It can be observed in severe thyroid disease, but absent with its initial depletion. Of course, this symptom is non-specific. But long-term weakness (multi-weekly and many-month long) clearly indicates the depletion of nerve cells (peripheral and central), which give us all a sense of our condition.
Check out this assumption: lie down in the daytime for 20 minutes horizontally, maximally relaxing and closing your eyes. If after this rest the state of health has improved, then this weakness is connected precisely with the state of the nerve cells. An accurate study of the peripheral nervous system will allow you to identify thermography.
4. Irritability. Lability of mood.
These phenomena are often found in patients with diseases of the thyroid gland, but they are not absolutely characteristic symptoms.
5. A lump in the throat. Constriction or choking in the neck. Sore throat. Desire to cough.
These and similar "cervical" complaints are often reported by patients with thyroid disease. Particular concern in connection with such feelings occurs in patients with a nodular goiter, making you think about the operation. Do not rush to agree with the surgeon!
Remember: almost never enlargement of the thyroid gland does not give these sensations. All these anxieties are caused by the excitation of the nerve centers of the neck. Watching our popular science film “about a coma in the throat and a squeeze in the neck” will allow you to understand the source of such anxiety and the way of treatment (but you need to check the thyroid gland with such a symptom, anyway!).
6. The deterioration of memory and structured thoughts.
This happens with hypothyroidism (more often) and hyperthyroidism (less often). The reason is a lack of energy (calories) in the nerve cells, as well as their overexcitation, leading to inhibition (according to NE Vvedensky). Check the hormonal metabolism of the blood test, make an ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
7. Increased appetite. One often wants to eat.
Have you recently had breakfast or lunch, but you already want to eat? Think to check for thyroid hormone metabolism (blood test). It may be that the increased need for thyroid hormones (in case of "euthyroidism of stress with hyperconsumption" or hypothyroidism) creates the condition for the active absorption of food.
8. Sleep disturbance.
Worsening sleepiness, waking up at night, waking, "shallow" sleep, previously waking up are all signs that occur in almost 30-40% of patients with AIT, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Sleep disturbance is not directly related to the thyroid gland, but should also be alerted to check its activity and the state of the peripheral nervous system that affects the cerebral cortex (the latter provokes the activation of its cells during sleep).
9. Hair loss on the head.
Not always this phenomenon is caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormones. For example, nesting alopecia is not associated with hypothyroidism (this condition is caused by the influence of excited nerve cells from the cervical ganglia on the skin area). But the combination of this symptom with dry skin and chilliness should prompt you to check the thyroid gland.
REMEMBER for a combination of symptoms! One symptom is not always a sign of suffering of the thyroid gland. But a few symptoms are a sign of illness.
DIAGNOSTICS.
Two studies are needed.
1) Blood test. The minimum set of indicators (if you want to save): TTG, T3fr. and T4fr. and "complete blood count". A complete set of indicators: TSH, T3fr., T4fr., T4 total, T3 total, AT-TPO, AT-TG, "complete blood count".
2) Thyroid ultrasound. It is important to understand how much tissue in the gland looks like a complete hormone-forming tissue (iso-echogenic and little hypoechoic). How much blood flow is strengthened (doctors call it "vascularization", that is, literally - vascularity). The volume of the gland (in women, the average maximum rate is 12 ml, not 18 ml; in most women, the optimal volume is 7-8 ml). Are there nodal and diffuse changes (what are they and their number) ...
Based on these two studies, the competent doctor will be able to determine the state of the thyroid gland, its ability to provide you with hormones and the need for remedial measures.
It is better to check your gland before it is even more exhausted!
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We are aware of the essence, treatment and help in many diseases and conditions accompanying changes in the thyroid gland, and we restore the gland through the restoration of the whole organism. Consult with the doctors of our Clinic.