General Information About the Thyroid
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
The thyroid is an organ that functions much like the body's accelerator pedal or generator. The hormones it produces determine the heart rate, gastrointestinal motility speed, and thermoregulation.
It is the inability of the thyroid gland to produce adequate amounts of hormones (e.g., Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Due to the metabolic slowdown, the patient constantly feels cold, fatigued, hypersomnolent, gains weight, and experiences constipation and hair loss.
It is the excessive secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland beyond the body's physiological requirements (e.g., Graves' disease). Because the metabolism is overstimulated, the patient experiences chronic palpitations, tremors, rapid weight loss despite polyphagia (excessive eating), and hyperhidrosis (profuse sweating).
It is the focal aggregation of cells within the thyroid parenchyma forming lumps (masses). They occur in one out of every two individuals in the general population, and 95% of them are completely benign (non-cancerous) tissue overgrowths.
Blood levels of TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 hormones indicate the functional status of the thyroid (whether it is underactive or overactive). To visualize the gland's morphology, dimensions, and the presence of nodules, a Thyroid Ultrasonography is performed.
If it is underactive, the deficient hormone is administered orally as a daily morning pill (Levothyroxine) for life. If it is overactive, antithyroid medications or radioactive iodine therapy are indicated. If the gland becomes massively enlarged (Goiter) compressing the trachea, or if the nodules carry a risk of malignancy, the thyroid gland is surgically resected.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
