Early diagnosis and recognition of the symptoms of alterations in the thyroid gland, which causes dysfunctions throughout the body, are strategies that specialists consider vital to avoid pathologies linked to its functioning, on the occasion of World Thyroid Day, which It is commemorated every May 25.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is estimated that some 750 million people in the world suffer from some thyroid disease, of which 60 percent are unaware.
“This could be due to the fact that thyroid pathology is usually slow to install, and then leads to a delay in the consultation because the individual adapts to the dysfunction or growth of a nodule,” Laura María Schiró, an endocrinologist, explained to Télam. from Posadas Hospital.
The thyroid is one small gland located on the anterior aspect of the base of the neckshaped like a butterfly and produces the thyroid hormones known as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) that are involved in multiple functions throughout the body.
This endocrine organ regulates temperature, growth, development, reproduction and intervenes in the functioning of the cells of organs and systems such as the heart, the intestine, the muscles and the brain, Karina Danilowicz, president of the Foundation for Assistance, Research and Teaching in Endocrinology (Fundaide), specified in a dialogue with Télam.
In this sense, the T3 and T4 hormones They are responsible for the metabolism to function properly.
Among the risk factors for developing thyroid diseases, Inés Califano, co-coordinator of the Thyroid Department of the Argentine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (Saem), listed hereditary predisposition, exposure to radiation (for example, radiotherapy in the neck area) , iodine deficiency in the diet and some drugs.
The thyroid can suffer alterations in its structure “through inflammation, the so-called thyroiditiswhich can occur after viral infections or the intake of certain drugs, or affect the nodule production but only 4 or 5 percent of them will end up being malignant (carcinogenic),” Danilowicz said.
hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
On the other hand, the thyroid can suffer from a disorder in its function, that is, a hormonal disturbancewhich favors the appearance of hypothyroidism (does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the body’s needs) or hyperthyroidism (produces more than necessary).
Danilowicz, who is also head of the Endocrinology division at Hospital de Clínicas, pointed out that these two conditions are more common than thyroid cancer: hypothyroidism occurs in 10 percent of the general population, while hyperthyroidism is less frequent and occurs in 2 percent.
In adults, untreated hypothyroidism can cause mental and physical deficiency and one of the risk factors that can be modified is the incorporation of foods that contain iodine.
“All thyroid problems in general are more common in women, in the fertile age and everything that is nodules increases frequently throughout life”Inés Califano, co-coordinator of the Saem Thyroid Department
Schiró commented that in areas of the country where there are iodine deficiency in the diet, the most frequent is to find cases of endemic goiter (increase in the size of the thyroid gland) and the hypothyroidism associated with this insufficiency.
On the other hand, in regions with sufficient iodine, the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism is chronic autoimmune thyroiditisalso known as Hashimoto’s disease.
Symptoms
The Ministry of Health indicates among the symptoms of hyperthyroidism pale and sweaty skin, bulging eyes and bright eyes, frequent diarrhea, increased heart rate with palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, tremors and weight loss.
On the other hand the hypothyroidism It can present as cold, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, slow heart rate, drowsiness, and difficulty losing weight.
However, the Saem member felt that symptoms are “nonspecific” since they are shared with other diseases or situations of daily life such as feeling tired or having hair loss.
“All thyroid problems in general are more common in women, in the fertile age and everything that is nodules increases frequently throughout life,” added Califano.
Meanwhile, the endocrinologist emphasized that babies can be born without making thyroid hormonebecause the thyroid did not form well in fetal development, or has a defect.
“It is important to carry out the neonatal screening of the congenital hypothyroidism (prick the heel to extract a drop of blood), which aims to detect and treat these disorders early in babies, because untreated hiccups cause growth retardation and mental retardation,” he explained.
For Schiró, it is important to emphasize that thyroid disorders can be diagnosed by a clinician, and referred to a specialist when necessary, with which “If you keep regular checkups, you can improve detection of these disorders.”
Along the same lines, the president of Fundaide stressed the importance of making an early diagnosis, paying attention to the signs and symptoms and going to the doctor, as it allows adequate treatment and improvement in the clinical manifestations of each of these conditions.
