Recently, diseases associated with the functioning of the human immune system have become quite common. One of these is autoimmune thyroiditis. The most damaging effect of this disease is on the thyroid gland. With this, the main symptoms are connected.
Causes of development of
The onset of this autoimmune disease is directly related to a malfunction of the immune system. Because of this, the protective functions of the body begin to attack healthy cells of the thyroid gland, perceiving them as alien. This body is responsible for the production of hormones, so most often the disease occurs in women. At them the hormonal background is more subject to various changes and jumps.
Aggression of the body, directed to the thyroid gland, leads to the fact that its tissues are impregnated with leukocytes. And this, in turn, leads to inflammation of the body - thyroiditis. This process causes cell death. Those who remain are not enough to fully develop the right amount of hormones. This condition is called hypothyroidism.
One of the reasons for the occurrence of autoimmune thyroiditis is hereditary predisposition. In addition, the launch of such a negative process requires several predisposing factors. They are most often referred to as:
- psycho-emotional stress, stress;
- decreased immunity against the background of frequent viral and colds, as well as uncontrolled use of antiviral drugs;
- frequent intake and use of iodine-containing drugs over the norm;
- hormone replacement therapy;
- surgical intervention in the thyroid gland or its trauma;
- hormonal failures( pregnancy, condition before and after menopause), etc.
Influence on the body
The main danger during this disease is its asymptomatic at the first stages. The condition caused by thyroiditis can be confused with ordinary fatigue. A characteristic phenomenon is deterioration of memory, depressive state, weakness and drowsiness, hair loss and so on. Such non-expression often affects the time of recognition of the disease, which passes through a number of stages.
- Hyperthyroidism
The primary stage after the onset of the disease is characterized by the destruction of thyroid cells. This process leads to the release of hormones that were previously synthesized in them. Thus, the level of T3 and T4 increases in the blood. A similar condition is called hyperthyroidism.
The main symptoms of this stage are soreness in the thyroid gland, irritability and a recurring feeling of "coma in the throat", increased sweating, throat swelling, accelerated heartbeat, and menstrual cycle disorders in women.
This stage lasts for 1 to 6 months.
- Euthyroidism
After stabilizing the hormonal level and functions of the thyroid gland, the disease passes to the stage of calm( euthyroidism).Despite the absence of any symptoms, thyroid did not recede. Silent destruction of the thyroid gland by the immune system began. The process can be accompanied by the appearance of nodes and cysts, which will eventually increase. At the same time the thyroid gland in size may well remain the same as it was. And it can also change in any direction( increase, decrease).It is only a doctor who can palpate this condition.
- Hypothyroidism
The disastrous effect of antibodies, which secrete our body on the thyroid gland due to immune system disorders, over time leads to a decrease in the tissues of this organ. Functionality is reduced, and this is evidence of the onset of hormonal failure, as the production of thyroid hormones has dropped significantly. The decrease in thyroxin and triiodothyronine, which are very important hormones for metabolism in the body, leads to a condition called hypothyroidism. From this, almost all the functions of the human body suffer.
The described process is accompanied by symptoms such as depression, weakness, fatigue, decreased overall working capacity and memory level, increased excess weight due to metabolic disorders, hair loss, menstrual irregularity, shortness of breath, bradycardia, increased cholesterol.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis is extremely difficult. Identify the disease can only be the most obvious factors( changes in the structure of thyroid tissue, elevated levels of antibodies, increase and decrease in the level of certain hormones in the blood).Timely detection of the same can greatly facilitate the life of the patient.
So, if the diagnosis was made in the initial stages, then medication can delay the process of destruction of thyroid tissue for quite a long time. This will allow to maintain the stable hormonal background at the same level longer.
Consequences of
It should be noted at once that the forecast for the future can be quite favorable and with autoimmune thyroiditis. The most terrible thing to expect from this disease is a number of possible complications. However, they will appear only in the case of complete absence of adequate treatment. If the disease was diagnosed in time, and subsequently all of the recommendations were fully observed, no serious consequences would be expected. It is worthwhile to say at once that mortality in this disease is not high. Life expectancy practically does not differ from healthy people.
Cure in this case is impossible, since the hormonal background alone can not be restored. Treatment is mainly aimed at minimizing the symptoms and improving the quality of life of the patient.
Lack of the same therapy can cause a number of negative consequences for a person. So, this can lead to complications:
- from the nervous system: the emergence of a depressed state, a general decline in intelligence and memory, dementia;
- from the side of the cardiovascular system: ischemic disease, hypertension, hydropericardium;
- from the gastrointestinal tract: pancreatitis, kidney stones, general digestive disorders( constipation, etc.);
- from the side of the system of genitals and functions( in women): infertility, uterine bleeding, etc.
One of the most terrible consequences of thyroiditis is the appearance of thyroid cancer. This can occur in the case of the appearance in the nodes that arise in the thyroid gland against the background of an autoimmune disease, cancer cells.
Understanding the dangers of the disease itself should lead the patients to tell in time about any problems, especially on the hormonal background, to their treating doctor. Timely diagnosis of many diseases can prevent a number of negative consequences for a person. And revealed in time thyroiditis can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms and the general level of life in the future. Up to avoidance of disability.
