Problems with the thyroid gland increase after 40 years of age: can they be avoided?

thyroid It is small, but very important for the development of our lives and maintaining our health. And its importance is easily explained in 3 points:

1. thyroid This is a small gland in the shape of a butterfly, located in front of the neck.

2. produces hormones who control how the body uses energy.

3. These hormones Almost all organs are affected body and control many of its most important functions.

For example, although many are not aware of it, they influence:

• Breath

• heart rate

• Weight

• Digestion

• State of mind.

Multiple thyroid diseases

Thyroid disease causes the thyroid gland to produce too much or too little hormone. Some of the different thyroid diseases include:

• Goiter: Enlarged thyroid gland.

• Hyperthyroidism: When the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than your body needs.

• Hypothyroidism: When the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

• Cancer thyroid

• nodules: seals in the thyroid gland.

• Thyroiditis: Swelling of the thyroid gland

Hypothyroidism is the most “popular” disease

He hypothyroidism it’s a disease which appears when gland activity thyroid reduced, produces less thyroid hormone than it should and, as a result, most body functions suffer.

• This situation It usually appears gradually and is difficult to recognize. because symptoms appear and gradually worsen.

The most common thing is that Women are most affected by hypothyroidism, reaching a prevalence rate of 10% among them. In men it does not exceed 2%.

As explained Dr. Pedro Pablo Ortiz Remachaendocrinologist, thyroid specialist and pioneer in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules using ultrasound:

• “Thyroiditis, usually autoimmune cause the first phase of hyperthyroidism, ending in hypothyroidism due to destruction of the gland as a consequence of autoimmunity.

In more than a third of cases of hypothyroidism thyroid noduleswhich are groups of thyroid cells inside the thyroid gland.

And the specialist clarifies that If hypothyroidism is not treated, these nodules tend to grow. and reach significant sizes, causing local symptoms such as;

• “Discomfort when swallowing

• Even aesthetically it is visible and the lump on the neck is noticeable.

Although More than 70% of thyroid nodules are benign.its progressive growth requires:

1. Controls newspapers

2. His puncture evaluate its benignity or malignancy

3. And make an offer to the patient non-invasive treatment methods and is specific to the nodule that protects the rest of the thyroid gland

Why do thyroid problems occur in people over 40?

Appearance hypothyroidism It’s almost never fast. They appear first symptoms How:

• Cold feeling

• Fatigue

• Weight gain in an unnoticed way

When a woman reaches 40 or 50 years of age“Enough time has passed for these symptoms to become prominent and a presumptive diagnosis can be made using blood test to determine thyroid hormones and TSH“

Postpartum thyroiditis “does cause hypothyroidism in age of women from 35 years. Damage to the thyroid gland usually occurs before the age of 40 with subclinical hypothyroidism,” emphasizes the doctor, a specialist who has performed the largest number of ultrasound interventions in Spain and Europe.

• “Since the age of 40, she clearly shows her symptoms and is diagnosed. Thus, you must be vigilant for signs of suspicion and think about hypothyroidism in an adult woman in its infancy.”

• “In postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older, the prevalence rate increases. because menopause is a factor that can unmask hidden hypothyroidism.

The importance of diet for hypothyroidism

Lifestyle “is an important cause of premature onset of hypothyroidism.” Four pillars that influence the occurrence of hypothyroidism:

• A overeating diet ultra-processed foods, refined sugar, flour, gluten and insufficient intake of trans fats.

• He passive lifestylepromotes inactivation of hormonal systems, including the thyroid gland.

• lack of sleep and poor night’s restcause accelerated depletion of the thyroid gland.

• He stress chronicthrough other hormones such as cortisolwho is going interfere with the proper functioning of the thyroid glanddepleting its production and worsening hypothyroidism and its symptoms.

All these elements: “diet, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep quality and stress cause low-grade chronic inflammation in our body, which quietly and gradually makes a decisive contribution to appearance and worsening of hypothyroidism“

What foods increase thyroid function?

There are foods and supplements that They help the thyroid gland in its function of producing thyroid hormone..

• “Preferably consumption fish, iodized salt, seaweed… All products obtained from the sea contain iodine. Iodine is the raw material for the formation of thyroid hormones T3 and T4.“

In addition, the doctor also notes: “supplements such as selenium, zinc, iron, rhodiola, coenzyme Q10, vitamins A, D, C, B3 and B12, myo-inositol and magnesium.“These are nutrients that improve the quality of thyroid hormones and can help improve and prevent the onset of hypothyroidism.”

Hyperthyroidism: What should I eat if I want to avoid it?

The diet should be maximally balanced to avoid thyroid problems. He Dr. Pedro Pablo Ortiz Remacha recommends:

• He varied dietvegetables, meat, fish, legumes, vegetables, eggs and nuts help balance thyroid hormone production.

• Most often this is what hyperthyroidism is caused by the so-called “hot” node; or hyperactive. This nodule produces a huge amount of thyroid hormone beyond the control of the rest of the thyroid gland and causes hyperthyroidism, which even if we have healthy habits, cannot correct.

“To avoid treatment of a hot node with radioactive iodine (which causes secondary hypothyroidism and side effects), That thermal ablation with ultrasound HIFU It is also safe and effective. By directly and selectively treating the node by burning it, it stops the production of excess hormone and corrects hyperthyroidism.” The patient returns to normal thyroid function because thanks to this “new method” the rest of the thyroid gland remains intact.

This technique, moreover, ““This is true for both the cold nodules that accompany hypothyroidism and the hot nodules that cause hyperthyroidism.”