The thyroid gland is located in front of the larynx, at the upper part of the trachea. In the body, this gland is the largest. Its task is to produce thyroxine and calcitonin, which are involved in many metabolic processes, development, and the normal functioning of the nervous system, skin, hair, and muscular system. Doctors in Israel have successfully treated various disorders of the thyroid gland for many years, regardless of their genesis.
Causes
There are many diseases associated with thyroid gland dysfunction. Hyperthyroidism is the hyperfunction of the gland, accompanied by increased hormone secretion. Depending on the location of the dysfunction, primary hyperthyroidism (thyroid gland), secondary (pituitary), and tertiary (hypothalamus) are distinguished. Hypothyroidism is a disease of the body that arises as a reaction to insufficient hormone secretion.
The following diseases are known to be associated with thyroid gland dysfunction:
- endemic goiter – an enlargement of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency in the body
- nodular goiter – an increase in the volume of the thyroid gland, which leads to neck deformations and is a consequence of gland dysfunction
- autoimmune thyroiditis – inflammation of the gland that begins in childhood and develops in adulthood, leading to a complete loss of the gland's functions.
Symptoms
The symptoms of thyroid gland dysfunction depend on the specific disease, but the most common ones include:
- increased body temperature
- weight loss
- arrhythmias, tachycardia
- insomnia
- excessive sweating
- psycho-emotional instability.
Very often, the symptoms are not pronounced, so they are rarely associated with any disease and are perceived, for example, as age-related changes.
Diagnosis
To determine the cause of thyroid gland dysfunction in Israel, the concentration of antibodies to its cellular components – peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and others – is measured. The determination of hormone concentrations plays a significant role in diagnosis. If the level of at least one of them is low, this should signal the need for further investigations. To determine the size and volume of the gland, as well as to identify various pathologies, an ultrasound is necessary. To study its structure, scintigraphy or Doppler examination is performed.
Treatment
The success of thyroid gland treatment depends on the correct diagnosis. For the treatment of hypothyroidism in Israel, hormone replacement therapy is used, while in cases of thyrotoxicosis, medications that suppress gland activity are prescribed. The need for surgical treatment arises when a benign or malignant tumor is detected.