Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by a decrease in thyroid hormone production of the hormone thyroxin, as a result of which there are various systemic disorders due to a lack of thyroid hormones in the body. Hypothyroidism is considered one of the most common diseases of the endocrine system. In adults, extreme form of G. is myxedema disease, and in children - cretinism

Causes of

This disease differs in primary and secondary.

Primary GI is directly associated with impaired function and structure of cells directly in the thyroid gland( surgery on the thyroid gland, chronic infections of the autoimmune nature, congenital anomalies, etc.).

Secondary G. occurs due to hypothalamic and pituitary disorders( traumatic, tumor and infectious lesions), because of which the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland decreases.

In a number of recorded cases, the causes of G. are not clear - this is the so-called idiopathic hypothyroidism

Symptoms of

There is a noticeable slowdown in almost all metabolic processes( protein, lipid, basic, mucopolysaccharide exchange) that occur in the human body.

In most cases, this disease at the initial stages develops gradually and almost imperceptibly. There is a mental and physical fatigue, general weakness, drowsiness, decreased efficiency, memory is broken and headaches arise .

Changes occurring in the human body in hypothyroidism:

- Puffy, pale, masklike face. Edema and ovulation of the eyelids. Speech becomes fuzzy and slowed down due to edema of the tongue and vocal cords

- The secretion of sweat and sebaceous glands decreases, fragility of nails and hair arises. The skin becomes swollen, thick and cold to the touch( sometimes with icteric tint)

- Developing hypotension( lowering blood pressure), bradycardia( heart rate is significantly reduced), there are pains and quite unpleasant sensations behind the sternum and in the heart. Even with minor physical exertion there is shortness of breath

- There is a significant decrease in appetite, nausea and flatulence occur. Bile in the gallbladder stagnates( possibly the occurrence of intestinal obstruction and the formation of stones) due to a decrease in the tone of the musculature of the biliary tract and intestine

- There is a lack of oxygen due to reduced ventilation of the lungs. There is a tendency to develop bronchitis and pneumonia. Reduces the excretion of liquid by the kidneys

- There is inhibition, the intellect decreases, speech slows down, there is increased nervousness and irritability. Insomnia at night and drowsiness during the day. The sensitivity of the limbs is broken, neuralgia arises that are accompanied by muscular pain

- About 70% of patients have decreased absorption of vitamin B12 and iron in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the development of so-called "tyriogenous anemia", and because of the slow absorption of glucose, sugar decreasesIn the blood

- Decreased sexual desire, it is possible the development of infertility .

- Even despite almost complete lack of appetite - patients significantly add weight

- In children, G can manifest as a shortening of limbs and a backward growth of the skeleton

Possible complications of

In some cases, hypothyroidism can lead to quite severe complications: acute or chronic cardiacDeficiency, cretinism, hypothyroid coma.

Hypothyroid coma is the most severe and in some cases even fatal complication that develops due to the fact that long-term treatment has not been performed, or it has been performed, but not qualitatively( elderly women are most affected).Symptoms of hypothyroid coma:

- Decreased urinary output

- Decreased blood pressure

- Breathing and heart contractions become rare

- Cold, dry, icteric skin

Treatment of hypothyroidism

treatment of all forms of G. based on the use of replacement therapy( used synthetic analogs of thyroid hormone - levothyroxine and so forth.).The effect comes already during the first month of treatment. Treatment with thyroid hormones should be carried out very carefully, and pick up the necessary dosage for each patient individually under continuous ECG monitoring, blood cholesterol levels, heart rate and complaints of pain in the heart.

Duration of treatment is determined depending on the reasons for the development of the city and the general condition of the body, and may be a few months or years, or for life.

Substitution therapy in hypertension or tachycardia conducted synthetic thyroid hormones( thyroxine tireoidin, tireotom, triiodothyronine, Thyreocombum, tireotom forte) in combination with a p-blocker( trazikor, Inderal).

In case iodine deficiency is observed, it is prescribed in the appropriate dosage form and in a case-specific dosage. Self-iodine is highly undesirable, since in case of wrong dosage, iodine activity may worsen thyroid

prevention and prognosis

Preventive measures to prevent the occurrence and development of hypothyroidism considered sanitation and prevention of nasopharyngeal region, and if necessary, quality treatment of infectious diseases.

For adults with a properly selected adequate treatment, the prognosis of further life is quite favorable. But in children with congenital G. even with optimal selection of treatment is almost never possible to restore the normal functioning of the brain, resulting in possible development of cretinism, but also not excluded stunting.