What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a disease related to the disruption of the thyroid gland, an endocrine gland located at the base of the neck in the shape of a butterfly. This pathology can arise from different causes. The most common (75 to 80% of cases) is Graves' disease (an autoimmune disorder) which mainly affects women and results in the production of excess thyroid hormones.
Several symptoms can identify a potential hyperthyroidism: Persistent fatigue; Unexplained weight loss; An exaggerated thirst; Hypersensitivity (irascibility); Insomnia; Diarrhea; Heart palpitations and tremors; Eyes that tend to pop out of their sockets; Appearance of visible goiter, due to the enlargement of the thyroid; Pulse irregularity; Hot flushes; Polycystic ovary syndrome (hypothyroidism / hyperthyroidism). All of these symptoms can indicate that your thyroid is working at full capacity.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by several factors: the presence of a benign tumor in the thyroid gland, thyroid cancer, a toxic nodule, or a goiter.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a disorder of the thyroid gland caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormones. The secretion of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) is regulated by the pituitary gland, which produces TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).
Consequence: the metabolism is slowed down. After age 50, women are more at risk of hypothyroidism. Here are the main symptoms of hypothyroidism: Persistent fatigue; Unexplained chilliness (feeling of always being cold); Unexplained weight gain; Loss of appetite ; Slowed heart rate; Rising blood cholesterol level; Joint pain, cramps; Menstrual cycle disturbed; Unusual constipation; Presence of goiter (enlargement of the thyroid); Swollen face, eyes sticking out of the sockets; Irascibility; Difficulty concentrating, memory loss; Dry skin (sometimes presence of redness); Brittle nails; Hair loss ; hoarseness of Voice . When the thyroid does not release enough hormones, this disorder can have several causes: Hashimoto's disease (disease which destroys the gland): Hashimoto's thyroiditis is indeed the most common cause.
An iodine deficit; Postoperative complication following thyroidectomy (removal of the gland); Certain drugs.
Congenital hypothyroidism is a disease related to an abnormality in the functioning of the thyroid gland (from birth).
In developed countries, this disease affects 1 in 3,000 newborns.
In some cases of hypothyroidism, which require mild treatment, certain natural precursors of thyroid hormones are very effective, helping to prevent the side effects of taking certain medications.
Palpation of the neck to better identify the signs
Palpation of the lower neck is a preliminary step during a medical examination to detect a thyroid problem before performing an ultrasound. Thyroid palpation is done in a seated position: the doctor gently places his fingers on the middle area of the neck, below the jaw, then lets his fingers slide down to the lower area of the neck where the thyroid gland is located. The objective of the palpation is to determine the symmetry of the gland and its (possible) increase in volume. The doctor ends by palpating the cervical lymph nodes (anterior and posterior).
Thyroid: when to operate
Thyroidectomy
is a procedure that involves making a small incision at the base of the neck. Surgery (thyroidectomy) is necessary in two cases: when drug treatment fails to stop the growth of the gland (interferes with swallowing) and in the event of a toxic nodule (symptoms of thyroid cancer). Surgery for suspicious nodules involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland. Before surgery, the doctor performs several examinations on the patient: ultrasound and Doppler (to assess the vascularization of toxic nodules and cytological puncture). In which cases to operate? A nodule that is too large greater than 4 cm; Presence of several nodules forming a goiter; The nodule is filled with fluid; When a risk of thyroid cancer is suspected.
In some thyroid cancers, treatment with radioactive iodine is recommended for patients to supplement surgery.
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