The Thyroid Glabd

       The Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland or simply thyroid one of the largest glands of the human body.

The thyroid gland is found in the neck and looks like butterfly.

What does it do?



Thyroid Gland and it looks like butterflyin the middle of the neck

It controls how quickly the body uses energy which makes proteins, and control how sensitive the body is to other hormones.

It produces thyroid hormones they are:

T3,T4 and TSH.

These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the human body .The thyroid gets its name from the Greek word for “Shield“ due to the shape of the related thyroid cartilage. The most common problems of the thyroid gland consist of an over active thyroid gland referred to hyperthyroidism and an under active thyroid gland referred to as hypothyroidism.


What is the meaning of hyperthyroidism?

It refers to over activity of thyroid gland, when the tissues of the gland are exposed to high levels of thyroid hormones.

What are the clinical features of hyperthyroidism?

-Weight loss despite normal appetite

What are the Features of Hyperthyroidism

-Sweating and heat intolerance

-Fatigue

-Fast heart palpitation

-Agitation and tremor

-Generalized muscle weakness

-Angina and heart failure

-Diarrhea

-Infrequent menstruation and sub fertility

-Abnormally enlarged thyroid gland

-Eyelid retraction and lid lag

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?

-Graves disease is most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

-Inflammation of the thyroid gland

-Toxic abnormally enlarged thyroid gland

Typical Hyperthyroidism

-Excessive T4 and T3 ingestion

Treatment:

There are three methods for the treatment:

-Anti thyroid drugs

-Radio iodine

-Surgery

As a laboratory how can we help?

If you were diagnosed as a hyperthyroidism patient from the specialized doctor . We as laboratory will do the thyroid function test which, is known to the public as (TFT), and these tests are important to monitor the treatment which is given by the doctor. In these circumstances it must be remembered that it takes a number of weeks before the tissue effects of thyroid hormones accurately reflect the concentration in the serum. 

What is the meaning of hypothyroidism?

Is caused by the deficiencyof thyroid hormones, and it is the most commonly encountered endocrine problem.

What are the clinical features of hypothyroidism?

The symptoms of Hypothyroidism

-Tiredness and weakness characterized by a lack of energy.

_Depression

_Elevated high cholesterol

-Decreased sweating

-Weight gain and water retention

-Cold in tolerance

Typical Hypothyroidism

-Dryness and roughness of skin and hair

-A throaty harshness

-Slow relaxation of muscles and tendon reflexes

-Many other associated signs including:

_Low hemoglobin                                       

-Mental deterioration

-Constipation

-Abnormally slow heart rate

-Muscle stiffness

-Sub fertility

What are the causes of hypothyroidism?

Over 90% of causes of hypothyroidism occur as a consequence of:

-Abnormal function of the immune system that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against your own thyroid gland and the destruction of the gland.

-Radio iodine or surgical treatment of hyperthyroidism

Treatment:

Replacement therapy withT4 is the treatment.
Monitoring TSH concentrations can be helpful in assessing the adequacy of treatment. Once the dosage is established, the patient will be required to continue treatment for life.

The Isotope Iodine treatment for Hypothyroidism

                             

These are the tablets for the treatment of Hypothyroidism

                                                                           

Source of the information from: An Illustrated Colour Text

Clinical Biochemistry
Authors : Gaw / Cowan / O'reilly / Steward / Shepherd