Thyroid disorders

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck, it is shaped like a butterfly, with two lateral lobes joined by an area called the isthmus. Its function is to produce thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T3) and triiodothyronine (T4).

The function of the thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland (another gland also known by the name of the pituitary and located in the head).

thyroid disorders or diseases are mainly increased production of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) or insufficient production (hypothyroidism).

The role of thyroid hormones is very broad, some examples are: regulate the metabolism of the body's cells, stimulate growth, help mature and develop the nervous system, regulate body temperature, help form vitamin A and participate in the tooth development and eruption.

Hyperthyroidism

It is the excess production of thyroid hormones, therefore an excess of thyroid function.

The most common causes are: excess iodine, Graves' disease (an autoimmune process that affects mostly adolescent girls), a viral infection of the thyroid (thyroiditis), increased stimulation function of the pituitary gland, ovarian or testicular tumors.

Graves' disease is responsible for 80% of hyperthyroidism cases.

The most common symptoms are: tiredness, increased number of daily bowel movements or diarrhea, goiter (visibly enlarged thyroid that manifests as a lump on the front of the neck), intolerance to heat, very rapid growth, increased appetite and sweating , weight loss, nervousness and sometimes exophthalmos (protrusion or protrusion of the eyeballs outwards: "bulging eyes"). Palpitations, difficulty sleeping, hair loss and high blood pressure can also appear.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms. It can range from the use of antithyroid medications (they modulate thyroid function), to radioactive iodine (which has the ability to destroy the thyroid and stop the excessive production of hormones); even surgery to remove the thyroid can be done in serious cases.

In the event that the thyroid has to be destroyed with radiation or removed, thyroid hormone replacement medication should be taken throughout life.

hypothyroidism

It is defined as dysfunction of the thyroid gland that causes a decrease in the synthesis of thyroid hormones.

The most common cause is inflammation of the gland (thyroiditis) due to a virus or an autoimmune disease - Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In children there may also be congenital hypothyroidism (present from birth). Other causes of hypothyroidism are: side effects of medicines, pituitary alterations, prematurity, radiation therapy, antithyroid drugs

The symptoms of the hypothyroid child are: being more sensitive to cold, constipation, sadness or depression, slow movement, muscle or joint pain, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, weight gain and hypersomnia (increased need for sleep).

In the case of congenital hypothyroidism, the symptoms are present in the neonate and are the following: swollen face, sad eyes, very large tongue (macroglossia), hoarse cry, very open fontanels, persistent jaundice, muscular hypotonia, drowsiness, brittle hair and scarce and with a low implantation. Broad hands with short fingers, short stature, and short limbs in relation to the rest of the body can also be seen.

Congenital hypothyroidism is detected early by neonatal screening tests ("heel test").

The treatment of hypothyroidism consists of the administration of the hormones that are scarce. Depending on the type of hypothyroidism, replacement treatment is for life. levothyroxine is the most commonly used drug and levels in the blood are checked periodically.

In children diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism, it is very important to start treatment early to avoid mental retardation (known as cretinism) or growth sequelae.