Suspect thyroid problems if you have these symptoms

There are many factors that influence development thyroid pathologies, quite common in our societywhich include genetic factors, environmental factors such as iodine deficiency, or autoimmunity. Thyroid disease is 10 times more common in women, which may be due to hormonal changes that occur throughout their lives.

This is what the doctor says Martha Garcia Vasquezspecialist in endocrinology and nutrition at the Quironsalud Hospital in La Coruña, who notes that the most common thyroid diseases are hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis and goiter; the latter involves an increase in the size of the gland and can be diffuse or due to the formation of nodules.

When it comes to symptoms or signs that can alert us to a possible thyroid problem, this expert primarily points to thyroid noduleswhich can sometimes be perceived by the patient himself both visually and by palpation in the anterior region of the neck.

“If the gland is very enlarged, as happens in some cases of multinodular goiter, we may experience difficulty swallowing, breathing, or persistent dysphonia,” the expert adds.

Hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism

Symptoms that may make us suspect hypothyroidism are mainly fatigue, unexplained weight gain due to other causes, dry skin, constipationmental dullness or depression.

Except, In the case of hyperthyroidism we will find completely opposite symptoms.mainly palpitations, increased sweating, heat intolerance, hand tremors, nervousness, diarrhea or, conversely, weight loss.

In this sense, Dr. García Vásquez points out that hypothyroidism may be a thyroid pathology that “may have more emotional consequences” when treatment has not yet been developed or properly selected.

“Hypothyroidism itself can lead to a more depressed mood, and the weight gain that can occur due to the disorder can cause patients to have serious self-esteem issues,” he points out.

According to Dr. Garcia Vasquez, the currents advocating dietary changes such as eliminating gluten in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, given that celiac disease is also an autoimmune disease that can coexist with this pathology. In fact, there are studies that claim that it can be improved by removing gluten from the diet: “At this point, studies are still needed to provide a scientific basis on this topic.”

Be careful with pregnancy

As for the consequences for women’s health, a specialist from the Quironsalud Hospital in La Coruña states that in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism they can cause menstrual irregularitiesas well as all the symptoms described earlier.

Pregnancy is a special situation in which thyroid disease takes on special significance: “The appearance or detection of changes in thyroid function is very common during pregnancy or in tests performed early in pregnancy. In these cases, more stringent treatment is required; in addition to more careful monitoring of this pathology during pregnancy, since otherwise the risk of miscarriage or other complications during pregnancy may increase.”

Care and treatment that must be followed

In general, specialist Quirónsalud A Coruña assures that there are no specific recommendations other than the use of iodized salt or iodine-free salt for hypo- or hyperthyroidism, respectively. “The most important thing is to carry adequate medical supervision with appropriate examinations “to adjust treatment depending on each case,” he says.

The doctor remembers that the thyroid is a gland located in the front of the neck, below the larynx, which is responsible for producing thyroid hormones that regulate the overall metabolism of our body. “It affects almost every organ and influences many functions, such as heart rate, height, weight, digestion and even mood,” he adds.

In case of problems in this organ, the treatment is mainly pharmacological and depends on each case. Hypothyroidism involves giving the thyroid hormone that our thyroid gland does not produce in sufficient quantities, in the form of tablets; In many cases, levothyroxine is prescribed, calculating the dose based on the patient’s weight and subsequently adjusting it based on analytical control. “This is a treatment that the patient must maintain throughout life,” says specialist Quirónsalud.

Therapeutic scale

Meanwhile, in hyperthyroidism, the first therapeutic step will be antithyroid drugs, which are responsible for suppressing the overproduction of thyroid hormones by our gland. “In autoimmune hyperthyroidism, it is necessary to continue treatment for 12 to 18 months, and then re-evaluate; if the autoimmune load has decreased, treatment can be tried to be stopped; although always remembering that this is a disease with a high relapse rate,” he adds.

Another therapeutic option may be the administration of radioactive iodine.which is absorbed by the hyperfunctioning thyroid tissue, causing inflammation and necrosis: “This is a more radical treatment, although with the risk of developing secondary hypothyroidism.”

The third option, in cases of difficult control and relapse during drug treatment and/or the presence of contraindications to treatment with iodine, removal of the gland may be required. As for goiter, specialist Quirónsalud A Coruña emphasizes that it will be necessary to characterize the nodules well using ultrasound to decide whether cytology, surgery or simply periodic ultrasound monitoring are necessary.