The thyroid gland tortures a third of Lithuanians without their knowledge – pay attention to various symptoms.

Endocrinologist Raimondas Savickas, a doctor at the Northway Medical Center in Klaipeda, remembers what symptoms indicate that the thyroid gland is altered and advises how to prevent thyroid diseases.

According to the specialist, family doctors generally refer their patients to an endocrinologist’s office if they notice characteristic signs of thyroid disorders.

The other part of those who come to a checkup are people who take care of their health and find information on the Internet and suspect thyroid disease based on one or another perceived symptom. “For example, during quarantine, many people experience anxiety, mood swings, faster fatigue, more frequent heartbeats, insomnia, etc., and. Symptoms that can warn about thyroid dysfunction and therefore see a doctor. “Shares the doctor.

Although thyroid diseases are more common in women, they are not overlooked by men either. Thyroid disorders are also affected by age (in older people, the risk increases), iodine deficiency, ionizing radiation (depending on dose and duration).

According to the endocrinologist, in terms of symptoms, it is very important to explain how thyroid diseases are classified. “The thyroid gland that produces the hormone that regulates the metabolism of the entire body can be compared to a wallet. A healthy thyroid gland is like a wallet with enough money to meet one’s needs, “says Raimondas Savickas.

Thyroid diseases are divided into two groups. The first group includes diseases that occur when the main function of the thyroid gland is altered: the production of hormones. When the hormone is deficient, general weakness is felt, thinking slows down, drowsiness occurs, rapid fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, puffy face, especially in the eyes and feet, loss of appetite and weight gain, menstrual disorders , constant cold, cravings for heat. “The lack of thyroid hormone can be compared to an empty wallet: you cannot buy anything because you have nothing,” continues the doctor.

When the hormone is too much, he suffers from insomnia, mood changes, anxiety, increased activity, sweating, thirst, feeling of muscle weakness, appetite increases but loses weight, constantly hot, wants coldness, possible diarrhea, menstrual disorders. “After all, even when there is too much money, everything seems to be necessary, but it does not give any pleasure. Therefore, both a deficiency and an excess of hormones cause discomfort,” concludes the endocrinologist.

Another group of diseases includes changes in the tissue of the thyroid gland. They are generally warned of pain in the neck area. Pain can be felt at night, swallowing food, changing voice, shortness of breath, cough, fever. The exam reveals changes in the neck area.

Thyroid dysfunction is diagnosed by a doctor who examines the patient, assesses his complaints, other existing diseases, blood, and instrumental test results.

Thyroid tissue and possible pathological changes can be assessed by palpation of the thyroid gland and by ultrasound.

According to R. Savickas, patients who often come to the clinic fear cancer and ask to deny their doubts.

“Unfortunately, an endocrinologist who has performed an ultrasound (ultrasound) cannot answer this question immediately. In this test, the thyroid gland is examined to see if there are nodules, if any, in what part of the organ, what size, if any, or if there are enlarged and abnormal cervical lymph nodes. After noticing the signs of malignancy and evaluating their number and nature, you may recommend thyroid puncture to rule out or confirm the diagnosis of cancer. In this test, the doctor uses a ultrasound to insert a needle into the thyroid gland and extract a sample of cells with a syringe. In the laboratory, this sample is examined to determine if the node is benign or malignant. It is a safe, painless and accurate method of examining nodules, it allows the early diagnosis of malignant thyroid tumors and, before the disease has spread, provide adequate treatment, “says the specialist.

Thyroid disorders are treated with medicine. When the thyroid gland slows down for some reason and the hormone it produces is missing, thyroid hormone tablets are given as replacement therapy because you need to take what you lack.

When activity speeds up, too much hormone is produced. Medications are then given that then suppress thyroid function. If they don’t help, radioactive iodine therapy or surgery is used (all or part of the thyroid gland, which produces too much hormone, is removed).

According to a specialist, once a thyroid hormone deficiency is diagnosed (which can occur due to inflammation, the thyroid gland or part of it is removed), the drug should be taken continuously for the rest of your life.

When there is an excess of thyroid hormones in the blood, thyroid suppressants can be administered for long periods, with the lowest dose gradually required or even discontinued entirely. However, if the disease recurs with medical treatment, surgical treatment or radioactive iodine is recommended.

Your doctor reminds you that the risk of developing thyroid disease can be increased by iodine deficiency or excess food, as well as by ionizing radiation. Following the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a marked increase in thyroid disease was observed. According to the endocrinologist, certain medications and contrast agents used in the examination of patients and produced from iodine can also cause exacerbations of thyroid disease.

“In my opinion, no matter what we all want, unfortunately it is impossible to completely prevent disease.” However, I want to point out that thyroid disorders develop very slowly. At the beginning of the disease, the person often feels healthy and glandular changes are already taking place. Therefore, it is very important not only to take care of a healthy lifestyle, but also to carry out preventive tests of thyroid hormones in time, which helps to identify the maturing disease and prevent its development in time ”, concludes Raimondas Savickas.