Thyroid disease is disturbance caused by deformity or function of the thyroid gland.This disease is more common in women and is not a contagious disease.
The thyroid gland is a gland located in the neck and functions to produce thyroid hormones which regulate the body's metabolism. Disorders of the thyroid gland and thyroid hormones will cause different symptoms of thyroid disease, depending on the type and cause
Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland changes shape and produces too little (hypothyroidism) or too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Changes in the shape of the thyroid gland itself can be caused by goiter, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.
Type and Causes of Thyroid Disease
Common thyroid diseases are:
- HypothyroidismHypothyroidism is a condition when the amount of thyroxine hormone produced by the thyroid gland is too little.
- HyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism is a thyroid disease that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone in the body.
- MumpsA goiter is a swelling of the thyroid gland that appears as a lump in the neck.
- Thyroid nodulesA thyroid nodule is a solid or water-filled lump that forms in the thyroid gland. These lumps can be benign tumors or cysts.
- Thyroid CancerThyroid cancer is a thyroid disease that occurs due to the appearance of cancerous tissue in the thyroid gland.
The causes of thyroid disease vary, depending on the type. Some of the conditions that cause and trigger thyroid disease include:
- Iodine deficiency (iodine).
- Inflammation of the thyroid gland or thyroiditis.
- Genetic factors.
- After giving birth.
- Autoimmune.
- Disorders of the pituitary gland or pituitary.
Thyroid disease can happen to anyone, but there are several factors that put a person at risk for developing thyroid disease, including:
- Female gender.
- Over 60 years old.
- Have a family history of thyroid disease.
- Have a history of chronic disease, such as diabetes or autoimmune disease.
- Have had treatment with radioactive iodine.
- Have had thyroid surgery.
- Have had radiotherapy to the chest.
Features and Symptoms of Thyroid Disease
Depending on the type of disease, the symptoms that arise in thyroid disease are the appearance of a lump in the neck. In addition to lumps, other symptoms that can appear are symptoms due to changes in thyroid hormones, whether hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Patients with hyperthyroidism may experience symptoms such as:
- Tremors.
- Weight loss.
- Easy to sweat.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Nervous, anxious, and irritable.
- Heart beat.
People with hypothyroidism may experience the following symptoms:
- Easily drowsy and tired quickly (lethargy).
- Easy to forget.
- It's easy to feel cold.
- Skin and hair become
- Hoarseness.
- Swelling of the body (edema).
- Especially for women, menstruation that is more than usual.
When hcurrent to dokter
Immediately see a doctor if symptoms of thyroid disease appear, namely a lump in the neck or symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
If you have thyroid disease, have regular check-ups for thyroid disease treatment. Regular check-ups with an endocrinologist are aimed at monitoring disease progression and evaluating treatment.
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can lead to complications such as myxedema coma and thyroid crisis. Both of these conditions are emergency conditions that must be treated immediately. Therefore, immediately go to the ER if you suffer from thyroid disease and symptoms of fever, seizures, or unconsciousness occur.
Thyroid Disease Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing thyroid disease requires a detailed examination. However, the doctor will first ask about the symptoms experienced by the patient. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination to find the cause. One way is to check for lumps in the neck.
After examining the patient, the doctor will perform additional examinations. These types of inspections include:
blood test
Blood tests are done to evaluate the function of the thyroid gland. With a blood test can be measured thyroid hormone levels and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). From this test, it can be known whether the patient has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Scan
In addition to blood tests, a thyroid scan or nuclear thyroid can also be scanned. From this examination, the size and type of lump experienced by the patient can be known.
Biopsy
If it is suspected that the thyroid disease is thyroid cancer, the doctor may recommend that the patient undergo a biopsy. A biopsy is done to take a sample of thyroid tissue and analyze it in a laboratory.
Thyroid Disease Treatment
The type of thyroid disease treatment depends on the type and cause. There are three ways that are usually done in the treatment of thyroid disease, namely:
Drugs
The drugs given have different functions, depending on the type of thyroid disease experienced. The function of the drugs given are generally to:
- Replaces thyroid hormone in the body in hypothyroidism.
- Reduces the production of thyroid hormone in the body in hyperthyroidism.
- Destroys thyroid cells.
Giving drugs is also intended to overcome other symptoms that arise, such as lowering an increased heart rate.
Radioactive iodine therapy
Radioactive iodine or nuclear thyroid therapy is done by injecting radioactive iodine into the body which is then absorbed by the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine plays a role in destroying abnormal thyroid tissue.
Oclean
Surgery that is usually performed on thyroid disease is surgical removal of the thyroid gland or thyroidectomy. This procedure can be done to remove an enlarged thyroid gland or a lump inside the gland.
Some thyroid diseases require combination therapy, and sufferers may need lifelong treatment. However, with proper treatment, thyroid disease is not life threatening.
Thyroid Disease Complications
Complications that can arise from thyroid disease depend on the type and cause of the thyroid disease suffered. But in general, thyroid disease can cause complications such as:
Thyroid crisis
Thyroid crisis occurs when hyperthyroidism is not treated properly and causes high levels of thyroid hormone in the body. This condition causes various organs of the body to work quickly, triggering the malfunction of a number of organs. Thyroid crisis is an emergency that needs to be treated immediately.
Coma mIxedema
Myxedema coma occurs when hypothyroidism is not treated properly, affecting brain function. Similar to the thyroid crisis in hyperthyroidism, myxedema coma in patients with hypothyroidism needs to be treated immediately.
Thyroid Disease Prevention
Steps to prevent thyroid disease depending on the cause and risk factors. For example, hypothyroidism due to lack of iodine intake can be prevented by consuming iodized salt.
A person who suffers from diseases that can put them at risk of developing thyroid disease, such as diabetes and celiac disease, needs to consult a doctor regularly to monitor the progress of the disease.