Hyperthyroidism leads to hyperhidrosis, pulse speed, very prominent eyes, and so on. Lack of thyroid activity leads to an increase in weight, low pulse and low mood. Why does this happen and how do we treat it?
https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/thyroid_disorders
At first glance, everything seems normal in A.'s life. Although she felt some changes in the last months of her life, these changes, as she seemed to her, were changes that improved her life. I felt particularly energetic. Although she worked in night shifts, when she went to sleep, she woke up after only three - four hours, energetic and full of energy to continue the tasks of the day, as if she slept eight or ten hours continuously. On the one hand. That was not a problem. Although she sometimes felt a slight tremor in her hands and looked to her she was sweating a bit more than usual, but these symptoms did not appear to her as something strange to be suspected. On the contrary, this situation had a positive advantage: she began to reduce her weight and succeeded in doing so far more than all the different diets she had experienced during her lifetime.
The collapse came when her health deteriorated one morning and she felt so tired and so weak that she could not get out of bed. The doctor who examined her immediately noticed the swelling of the gland in her neck and in her eyes that were particularly prominent. The results of the blood test confirmed his fears: It was found that the level of hormone T4 (thyroxine) slightly higher hormone TSH, which is produced from the pituitary gland and affects the secretion of thyroid hormones, low - and was undoubtedly suffering from hyperthyroidism.
In this case the body works all the time at a high rate. The pulse is fast, all the body's metabolic processes are faster, although people with this condition feel more energetic, but the problem is how much time the body can work at a high rate - eventually the body gets tired and the breakdown occurs.
Thyroid: Small - but important
The thyroid gland is present in the neck. It is a very small gland, weighing only a few grams, in normal examination and normal condition, can hardly be felt when touched. The gland secretes a hormone called "thyroxine", which is essential for life. In the blood, most of the thyroxine is converted into a hormone called T4 and an active substance called T3. T3 enters into cells, and is associated with specific receptors within it, and works to determine the frequency of body metabolism and build proteins
The importance of thyroid function in our daily lives is very great. If the gland works at a rapid pace, the metabolism in the body will be faster, pulse faster, leading to weight loss. In the case of hyperactivity, the pulse can reach 100 to 120 beats in rest, without notice. Quite the opposite will happen if the gland works at a slow pace, the whole body will work at a low rate.
These two conditions - hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism - are the two common conditions associated with thyroid activity disorder. Like most hormonal diseases, which affect women more than men, the incidence of thyroid disease in women is four times higher than in men. It is estimated that about 1% - 2% of women suffer from them. Often teenagers and young women between the ages of 16-30, but also older people may get sick as well as children.
The thyroid gland is controlled by a hormone called TSH, which is produced from the pituitary gland. When the TSH reaches the gland, it stimulates the secretion of the T4 hormone (thyroxine), which is also used as a growth factor for the gland. That is, the TSH controls and determines the number of production lines in the gland and the amount of T4 hormone produced in each. T4, in turn, also affects the secretion of TSH, as a kind of negative reaction - the higher the T4 level, the lower the TSH secretion and vice versa.
Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism)
Is the condition that secrete the gland where the hormone T4 is more than required, the disease is most common in the thyroid, which is also called the disease on the name of "Graves" (Graves).
The causes of hyperthyroidism, also called hyperthyroidism, are: Graves, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Is an autoimmune disease that occurs because of the misdiagnosis of the immune system that distinguishes TSH receptors, found in each cell, as an enemy and begins to produce antibodies against it. Each hormone has a unique fingerprint that allows it to bind to certain receptors, but these antibodies have a "fake" imprint, which allows the association of antibodies with TSH receptors. The presence of antibodies stimulates the receptors and causes them to work and produce T4 as if the TSH is present. At the same time, as the TSH receptor system is also used as a growth factor, the gland grows. By the way, antibodies also play a role in causing the distinctive eye brow of the disease.
Another cause of hyperthyroidism is called "Toxic Goiter", which is common in older people (often in women over the age of 50). In this case, the gland grows gradually, often because of a change in the TSH receptor building, which causes it to function uninterrupted. Another condition that causes hyperthyroidism is the benign thyroid tumor, which is called a "glandular tumor", which leads to a significant increase in the production of this hormone. In most cases, it can be distinguished by touching the tumor in the gland and observing the rest of the external symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Sometimes hyperthyroidism occurs due to drug therapy, such as the administration of amiodarone, which contains a large amount of iodine, or after screening (eg, CT scan or angiography), due to the use of imaging materials Which contain a high amount of iodine. Since 95% of our bodies consume iodine used by the thyroid gland, in certain cases, excess iodine accumulates in the gland, and may lead to hyperthyroidism. The fifth cause is a disease called acute thyroid hypothyroidism caused by viral damage to the gland. Because of damage to the cells of the gland, the hormones in which are released into the blood and result in hyperthyroidism. Most patients complain of neck pain and / or topical allergy in the gland area, due to inflammation in the gland. This is a temporary condition of hyperthyroidism, and this phenomenon often disappears with the disappearance of viral contamination. The condition can return to normal or lead to hypothyroidism, depending on the damage in the gland cells and their ability to recover.
How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?
The initial diagnosis is based on the patient's clinical complaints and physical examination. For Graves' disease - it can be distinguished by eye bulges and hyperthyroidism. In addition, hormonal blood tests should be performed to determine TSH and T4 levels. In addition, the level of antibodies against TSH receptors can be examined. These tests can confirm or refute the initial diagnosis. As part of the investigation, a radiation scan is also performed, allowing the gland to be seen and the iodine absorption rate checked.
How is hyperthyroidism treated?
Graves' disease itself stems from the production of antibodies against TSH receptors, which stimulate its activity. Although it was appropriate to direct treatment against it, this option is left to special cases only. Stopping antibody production requires giving steroids, such as cortisone. However, over time, esteroids may inhibit the production of other antibodies needed by the body. So practically speaking, we treat symptoms, and processes related to the gland itself.
Treatments for hyperthyroidism are:
Treatment of hormonal activity symptoms. Since increased production of T4 / T3 hormones increases heart rate (pulse), so to slow the pulse are given drugs such as "Darlin", which prevents the work of adrenaline.
Medications that block the entry of iodine into the gland, such as PTT or "mercaptazol." Treatment does not cure, and in about 50% of cases the disease may return.In addition, these drugs also have side effects, Such as reduced blood counts, liver function disorders, skin rash, itching or swelling of the joints, so treatment is often recommended to destroy the thyroid gland.
The "final" treatment. Giving the radioactive iodine which enters the thyroid cells, leads to the complete destruction of the thyroid cells. Irradiated iodine does not cause an increase in the incidence of malignant tumors or long-term damage, a very common and effective treatment. However, as the treatment leads to hypothyroidism, then the alternative hormone for life must be taken.
Surgical removal of the gland. It is rarely implemented and only in special cases.
Is it possible to live without thyroid?
You can not live without thyroxine which is excreted from the gland. Therefore, when the gland is removed or disabled, the hormone is returned to the patient by Eltroxin tablets once a day. Dosage should be adjusted and the pills taken for life.
Can hyperthyroidism be cured on its own?
As an autoimmune disease, Graves has a rise and fall, and the symptoms seem to go away on their own. However, we intervene to prevent dangerous conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, improper pulse, etc. We do not know when the wave of hyperactivity will go away - so take the treatment.
Hypothyroidism:
This disease is also called Hashimoto, after the Japanese researcher who discovered it. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body distinguishes a specific part of the thyroid cell as an enemy. Thus, the immune system attacks the cells and causes the gradual destruction of the gland, without the ability to recover. Of course, in this case the gland produces less amount of T4 hormone. As a result, every metabolism (metabolism) in the body is low.
Treatment of hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism)
We restore the body T4 hormone by the pills of "electrocin", which is an artificial hormone that takes once a day. Side effects - almost nonexistent, most of which occur because of the high dose, expressed in complaints about hyperactivity - such as rapid heartbeat, feeling of heat and sweating. Symptoms such as rash or itching are relatively rare. Some people have an imbalance in the absorption of medication in the digestive system. In such individual cases artificial hormone pills (T3) are used, which must be taken three times a day.
Is it possible to cure the disease spontaneously?
When destruction begins, we do not have the tools to stop this process. "Hashimoto" comes in the form of waves, can be a temporary case of hyperthyroidism and then the lack of activity of the thyroid, such as descent, which is accompanied by some ascension, but the outcome is going down.
Who should undergo a TSH test?
For everyone. There is no need to do this every month, but this should be done as a periodic check. It is highly recommended to request an examination, because it is a simple blood test and not complicated.
Suspicious signs of hypothyroidism.
Increased alertness or fatigue, nervousness without any concrete reason, hyperhidrosis, very rapid pulse, very slight tremor in the hands, unexplained changes in behavior, weight loss without following any diet, eye bulging, glandular hypertrophy in the neck.
Signs of suspicion of hypothyroidism
Metabolism in the body is low, pulse is low, mood tends towards depression, feeling cold for others, overweight and obesity. Women may have menstrual disorders to the point of inability to conceive.
Are there natural alternatives to drug therapy for thyroid problems?
There are no such treatments. No omega-3, nor homeopathy. Some people with hyperthyroidism complain of medical springs in the Czech Republic, where drinking water has made them wonderland and felt much better afterward. They are right in it! When examining mineral content in water there, some were found to contain iodine or lithium-metal that temporarily prevents iodine from entering. Then a person with hyperthyroidism really feels better after drinking this water, but soon after leaving the place, the effect disappears and the bad feeling returns. The effect will disappear even if you continue to drink water, because the body feels an external iodine trick.
Like your post