With age, it is common for thyroid nodules to form in the thyroid gland. Unlike 'cysts', which are fluid-filled balls, nodules are solid lumps.
What is thyroiditis ? What are the main types? And what is Hashimoto's thyroiditis? What are the nodules of this gland? And how to activate the thyroid to burn fat? The answers are in this report.
T4 (T4) thyroxine, also called tetraiodothyronine.
T3 (T3) is triiodothyronine, according to the MSD Manuals website.
Hypothyroidism Symptoms Infographic
The MSCD Guides website adds that T4 is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland, and has only a slight effect on accelerating the body's metabolic rate, and may have little effect. T4 is converted to T3, the most active hormone. The conversion of T4 to T3 occurs in the liver and other body tissues. Several factors control the conversion of T4 to T3. ″, including the different needs of the body from one moment to the next, and the presence or absence of diseases.
Thyroiditis
We start with thyroiditis, an inflammation of the gland that causes either unusually high or low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, according to the UK 's National Health Service ( NHS ) .
A type of thyroiditis -
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland, damaging it and making it swollen.
Because the thyroid gland is destroyed over time, it is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone. This leads to symptoms of an underactive thyroid, such as fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin.
A swollen thyroid gland may also cause a goiter (lump) to form in your throat. It may take months or even years to discover the condition because it develops very slowly.
It is not understood why the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is more common in women than men. Symptoms usually first begin between the ages of 30 to 50 years, and the condition sometimes runs in families.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis can't be cured, but symptoms can be treated with a medication called levothyroxine that's taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone. If you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, you may need to take levothyroxine for the rest of your life.
De Quervain's (subacute) thyroiditis
De Quervain's (subacute) thyroiditis is a painful swelling of the thyroid gland thought to be caused by a viral infection, such as mumps or the flu.
It is more common in women between the ages of 20 and 50.
It usually causes a high temperature and pain in the neck, jaw, or ear. The thyroid gland can also secrete too much thyroid hormone into the blood, leading to symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
These symptoms settle after a few days. Symptoms of hypothyroidism often follow, and last for weeks or months, before the thyroid fully recovers.
Sometimes, thyroiditis may return, or low thyroid hormone levels may be permanent. If this happens, you may need to take levothyroxine (or similar medication) long-term.
Postpartum thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis is an uncommon condition that can affect women who have just given birth.
It's more common in women with type 1 diabetes who have a previous history of postpartum thyroiditis.
In postpartum thyroiditis, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland within 6 months of birth. This leads to a temporary rise in thyroid hormone levels (thyrotoxicosis) and symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Then, after a few weeks, the thyroid gland becomes depleted of its hormone. This leads to low thyroid hormone levels and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
However, not every woman with postpartum thyroiditis will go through these two stages.
If low or high thyroid hormone levels cause severe symptoms, medication may be needed until the condition improves.
In most women, thyroid function returns to normal within 12 months of giving birth, although low thyroid hormone levels can sometimes be permanent.
Thyroid nodules
In her article published by the French newspaper " Lefigaro ", writer Cecile Tepper said that thyroid nodules are a very common problem, as between 30-40% of people in their fifties do not realize their presence because the vast majority of these nodules (95%) of cases) be benign.
Professor Francoise Burson Chazzo, an endocrinologist at Lyon University Hospital, points out that when one or more thyroid nodules are discovered, you should in any case consult your doctor, who will in turn refer you to an endocrinologist.
With age, it is common for thyroid nodules to form. Unlike 'cysts', which are fluid-filled balls, nodules are solid lumps.
Among the factors that increase the likelihood of the formation of thyroid nodules
- old age;
- overweight.
- Iodine-free diet.
Repeated exposure to radiation at the neck level in childhood.
Pregnancy is also a factor in the emergence of these nodules, so women are affected by this condition more than men.
According to Prof. Burson Chazu, “Nodules are often discovered by chance during an imaging examination such as an ultrasound in the neck area. In this case, the endocrinologist will check 3 things:
-First, make sure that this nodule is benign and not cancerous.
-Secondly, it is not large and does not represent a nuisance in the neck.
-Third, it does not produce an excess of thyroid hormones.
A thyroid nodule should not be confused with lymph nodes that are slightly enlarged due to some infections. Prof. Burson Chazzo explains that "the two can be distinguished during swallowing, as the nodules rise when swallowing, while the lymph nodes that enlarge due to sore throats do not move. If the lymph nodes remain enlarged after recovering from a bacterial infection, Chazzo stresses in this case the need to visit a doctor on Although it is not about the thyroid gland.
Benign or malignant nodules in the thyroid gland?
Two examinations should be performed systematically to distinguish between benign and malignant nodules, an ultrasound examination and a blood test for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (the brain secretes this hormone, which stimulates the production of thyroid hormones). When the level of thyroid stimulating hormone is high, it means that the concentration of thyroid hormones is insufficient and vice versa.
Professor Lawrence Lenhart, Head of the Department of Thyroid Diseases and Endocrinology at the Petit-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris, confirms that “a TSH test should be performed to verify that the thyroid gland is functioning normally. At the same time, an ultrasound examination is performed to determine the characteristics microscopic examination of the nodules and finding out whether they are benign or malignant.
Nodule cell sampling
Depending on its shape, size or color on the ultrasound, the specialist determines the level of severity of each nodule with a criterion of 2 to 5. If the risk is low, the patient will be followed up with ultrasound examinations. When the degree is higher (between 3 and 5), the specialist performs a puncture and withdraws a sample of the cells of the nodules and analyzes them. If the cytological examination indicates that the nodule is benign, there is no cause for concern, but "we continue to monitor the nodule on a regular basis to monitor its development," Dr. Lenhart noted.
It is not necessary to remove a benign nodule except in specific cases. In this context, Dr. Leinhart says, "We do not perform surgery unless the size of the nodule becomes very large and exceeds 4 or 5 centimeters and is pressing on the windpipe, causing difficulty in swallowing." Another reason that requires surgery is if this nodule contributes to an increase in the production of thyroid hormone, that is, it causes hyperthyroidism.
But what is the fate of the nodules that tests indicate that they are neither benign nor cancerous? "When the risk is undetermined - which is the case for about 20% of patients - a discussion should be held to determine whether surgery should be performed or the case should be monitored," says Prof. Burson Chazzo.
How to activate the thyroid gland to burn fat?
We conclude with this question, and the answer is that if you suffer from underactive thyroid, these are tips to activate it to burn fat:
-Stick to the treatment, do not skip it and do not forget to take it according to the doctor's instructions.
-Be active and exercise.
-Eat meals in an orderly manner, do not skip meals and do not follow harsh diet regimes.
-Eat healthy proteins like beans and fish.
-Get enough sleep.
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HEALTH UPDATE