Thyroid Diseases

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Most thyroid diseases are caused by iodine deficiency. Iodine is an essential element for the body and is primarily obtained through animal- and plant-based foods. The formation of goiter (thyroid enlargement), commonly associated with thyroid disease, typically takes 6 to 12 months under iodine-deficient conditions.

There is a wide range of thyroid disorders, affecting individuals from the prenatal stage through the end of life.

Effects of Thyroid Hormone Imbalance

Thyroid disorders typically involve either a deficiency or an excess of thyroid hormones, both of which negatively impact the body’s normal functioning, leading to a variety of symptoms, such as:

Delayed physical and mental development
Metabolic disorders
Low blood pressure
Hypercholesterolemia
Slowed heart rate
Persistent fatigue
Weakness
Irritability
Sleep disturbances
Dry skin
Brittle nails
Muscle pain
Difficulty regulating body temperature

Thyroid Examination

The most commonly used method for examining the thyroid gland is ultrasound (echoscopy), due to its high sensitivity. Ultrasound can detect both focal and diffuse lesions with nearly 100% accuracy. It determines the size of the thyroid, the presence or absence of nodules, the condition of nearby lymph nodes, and helps differentiate between cysts and cancer.

Ultrasound is completely safe, requires no special preparation, and is non-invasive. However, for complete thyroid diagnostics, it is also necessary to perform hormonal analysis, including:

FT3 (Free Triiodothyronine)
FT4 (Free Thyroxine)
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
Anti-TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies)

If multinodular goiter is detected on ultrasound and the nodule size warrants further evaluation, fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be required to determine the appropriate treatment plan.