What is Thyroid Gland, what does “goiter” mean, and how important is timely and correct diagnosis?
Saloma Buliskeria – it is recommended to have thyroid screening (Ultrasound examination and thyroid hormone tests) twice a year
What is Thyroid Gland, what does term “goiter” mean, and how important is timely and correct diagnosis? – Salome Buliskeria, endocrinologist of the Jo Ann University Hospital discusses these and many other problems
–What is thyroid gland?
Thyroid is one of the most important endocrine gland of our organizam. Follicular cells of the thyroid gland produce hormones that are important for the human organism, they affect all vital organs, these hormones are T3 and T4. Their excess or lack may cause serious pathologies . There are conditions that proceed with an excess or lack of the thyroid gland function
– What is “goiter”?
It is a diffused enlargement of the thyroid gland, or development of a thyroid nodule, or both.
The goiter may be associated with a thyrotoxicosis (E.g. during Grave’s disease) or hypothyroidism (E.g. autoimmune thyroiditis), or it may proceed without any functional changes (E.g. endemic goiter) .
Signs and symptoms typical for thyrotoxicosis are: accelerated heart rate, palpitation, unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, emotional lability, increase excitability, excessive sweeting, upper extremity tremor , while reduced function or hypothyroidism is association with decreased heart rate, relaxation, drowsiness, constipation, swelling of the face and limbs, weight gain, hair loss and dry skin.
– How goiter is diagnosed and treated? What tests and examinations are recommended?
If mentioned conditions remain untreated, they may result in cardio-pulmonary insufficiency, coma and death.
However, today, in the 21st century,the treatment of the above-mentioned pathologies is not problematic, it only requires timely diagnosis and proper management It is recommended to carry out laboratory tests and ultrasonography examinations of the thyroid gland twice a year, which are quite simple, non-invasive and financially affordable studies.
