Atrophy of the thyroid gland in adults, clinical symptoms and treatment

The thyroid gland performs a very important function in the body, it regulates metabolic processes. Therefore, atrophy of the thyroid gland in adults can drastically affect the health and general condition of a person, lead to multiple violations of the vital functions of organs.

The atrophy of this organ is to reduce the number of cellular structures that can perform their immediate function. With atrophy of the thyroid gland, a replacement of the glandular tissue with a connective one occurs, which does not possess hormonal activity.

Do not confuse the atrophy of the thyroid gland, which develops under the influence of a number of reasons from a completely healthy initially organ with aplasia( complete absence of an organ) or hypoplasia( hypoplasia).The two last pathologies occur at the birth of a child and arise in utero. Atrophy occurs in the process of life.

Causes of atrophy of the thyroid gland

Atrophic changes with disturbed cell nutrition or death, with a subsequent decrease in the size of the body, can develop for a number of reasons:

1. As a result of prolonged use of thyreostatic drugs. The doctor appoints them for hyperthyroidism, and the constant suppression of functional activity, that is, inaction for a long time, thyroid leads to a loss of its properties and the development of atrophy.
2. In the treatment of thyroid diseases with the help of radioactive iodine. I must say that even ordinary iodine in large quantities can cause atrophic changes.
3. Autoimmune pathological conditions. At the heart of their development is the development of the body antibodies, which aggressively begin to destroy their own tissues. So, with the thyroiditis of Hoshimoto, as a result of the perversion of immunity, the death of thyroid cells occurs.
4. Control of the thyroid gland is carried out by the hypothalamic-pituitary structure, and in case of abnormalities in activity there may come a decrease in activity and atrophy of the thyroid gland. This usually occurs with a sharp reduction or total absence of TSH in the blood( it ceases to produce the pituitary gland).
5. Diseases that lead to a violation of blood flow, including in the gland.
6. Traumatic organ damage or surgical intervention.
7. Sometimes a structure disorder and dystrophic changes can occur as a result of compression by a tumor formation.

The main manifestations of atrophy

Atrophy of the thyroid leads to a decrease in the production of hormones T3 and T4.Therefore, a typical picture of hypothyroidism develops. In adults, there is no such phenomenon as cretinism in hypoplasia, since the formation of the nervous system is completed by this time.

For quite a long time there are no special signs, as the process of atrophy develops slowly. At first, some weakness and drowsiness may appear. Then - fatigue and violation of memorization processes. Many patients believe that this is due to workloads, various problems. To the doctor in that case do not address.

Further development of abnormalities in the work and structure of the thyroid gland adds to the above described condition a decrease in craving for the opposite sex, roughness and dryness of the skin, hair and nails become dull and break.

Muscles may experience convulsive twitching, appetite decreases, but body weight increases. Body temperature is below normal. With the further development of the disease, a myxedema is formed, for which a characteristic symptom is dense swelling( when pressing on the area of ​​the edema there is no fossa), as well as polyserositis - pericarditis, pleurisy.

Heart rate decreases, heart boundaries widen, when listening tones become deaf. Pressure may be subject to fluctuations, but most often it decreases.

For such a patient, the appearance of constipation, the development of intestinal atony, intestinal obstruction is characteristic.

At palpation atrophied iron is not palpable. The exception is autoimmune thyroiditis, in which it increases in size and becomes dense to the touch.

There is a change in the appearance of the patient. His face swells, it becomes puffy, bags appear under the eyes, the skin becomes yellowish, the face becomes poor, the face looks like a mask.

What can I do?

Treatment of atrophy of the thyroid gland is, first of all, in the replacement of hormone deficiency. Substitution therapy is the constant intake of drugs containing thyroid hormones. The degree of compensated state should be regularly monitored, occasionally donating blood.

If symptoms occur that indicate signs of atrophy of the thyroid gland, you should immediately go to a specialist, because the earlier treatment is prescribed, the faster you can achieve compensation and normalization of metabolic functions and avoid the unpleasant consequences of hypothyroidism. Lack of treatment can lead to death.

The dosage of the drug depends on the patient's body weight, the presence of concomitant diseases, age, the degree of disruption of hormonal function. Such treatment can be assigned on an individual basis only by an endocrinologist, taking into account all individual characteristics. Usually, after a month, many patients notice a significant improvement in their condition.

It is impossible to restore cellular structures at their atrophy. To prevent further progression of pathological changes, treatment is directed at eliminating the factor that caused the development of the disease.

Autoimmune processes in the thyroid gland are treated with glucocorticoids. When there are tumors or nodes, a resection is performed.

If the thyroid gland function suffers from vascular diseases or occurs due to a violation of innervation, then a set of measures to improve blood supply is needed.

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