Hashimoto's disease is one of the most dangerous new enemies in the struggle for a thin waist. Previously, only women in their age attacked the disease, now more and more often even twenty-year-old girls and men! While the causes of this ailment are unknown. What are the symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, how to diagnose and treat?
The statistics are alarming: up to 15% of young women around the world suffer from Hashimoto's disease. The risk of getting sick increases significantly after 50 years. And often the first manifestation of thyroid problems is unreasonable weight gain.
The first symptoms of Hashimoto's disease
This disease is a specific type of thyroiditis. When the disease progresses slowly, symptoms are usually felt before studies can identify the pathology. Hashimoto sufferers often think that they are depressed because they are weakened, quickly get tired, complain of a depressed mood.
And only when the "transformation" of the thyroid gland leads to a significant decrease in the hormones thyroxine (F4) and triiodothyronine (F3) in the blood, symptoms of hypothyroidism appear. One of them is weight gain. Although a person does not change his lifestyle and diet, he begins to gain extra pounds. Dry skin and alopecia also appear. Constipation begins to torment, sensitivity to cold and drowsiness during the day are manifested. In this case, you should contact your endocrinologist.
A deficiency of thyroid hormones can also lead to an excess of prolactin, which makes conception difficult. Poor thyroid function is also dangerous for the fetus: even if it succeeds in becoming pregnant, the child may develop malformations. Therefore, during the decision "I want a baby" and it is absolutely necessary in the early stages of pregnancy, it is worth analyzing thyroid hormones.
How to diagnose Hashimoto's disease?
When the thyroid gland does not work well, then, as a rule, it begins to increase in order to “catch up” its delayed effect with a large size. Sometimes a so-called goiter is formed (in the classical form, Hashimoto's disease is nodular). We can see it in the mirror when we begin to examine the base of the throat. It also happens that a person feels an obstacle when swallowing.
However, with Hashimoto's disease, goiter may not appear. On the contrary: since the body destroys the thyroid gland, it can even decrease! Then it is more difficult to suspect the thyroid gland in all its troubles. In this case, a blood test is necessary to monitor the level of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). It is produced by the pituitary gland and its mission is to make the thyroid gland work. If the level of this hormone in the blood increases, then the thyroid gland is working improperly.
However, elevated TSH levels only reveal poor gland function. Therefore, it is worth checking the level of specific bodies called anti-TPO. They are produced by the body against its own thyroid gland, and it is their presence that indicates Hashimoto's disease. The doctor should send an ultrasound of the thyroid gland. As a rule, an aspiration biopsy is also recommended. But only if a nodule or bump is found in the thyroid gland.
What is the treatment for Hashimoto's disease based on?
The best treatment is that which focuses on the cause of the disease. Unfortunately, the reasons are unknown. There are a lot of suspects.
And the first ones are viruses. They are able to deform the DNA of cells. Perhaps they penetrate the cells of the thyroid gland, wedged into the genetic code.
The second suspect is stress. Hashimoto is an autoimmune disease, and chronic stress can lead to an abnormal immune cell response. It is also worth remembering that Hashimoto is a genetic disease.
Treatment for the disease is based on compensating for the effects of low hormone levels with medications. The dose of hormones is determined by the doctor and can not be changed independently.
Hormones are taken until the end of life, every six months with constant monitoring of the TSH mark. Sometimes, when the inflammation is extremely aggressive, steroid therapy can be used for a short time. But this is an exceptional case.
Iodine is necessary for the thyroid to function properly. Where to find him?
For proper "exploitation" of our body the thyroid gland needs iodine. When this element is not enough in the body, goiter develops. Best of all, if everyone can give themselves a vacation at sea, where this element "flies" in the air.
But you can daily salt dishes with sea salt or ordinary, but iodized (a pinch of salt per day is enough). Seaweed, black and green tea, nuts and eggs are also a good source of iodine.
