Thyroid pain

Many people, especially women, know firsthand the meaning of the word "goiter". But contrary to popular belief, pain in the thyroid gland can be caused by other diseases. The human thyroid gland is an important element of the endocrine system, which produces vital hormones. The work of the thyroid gland directly affects the work of other organs and systems of our body. In the case of dysfunction of the thyroid gland, a painful symptom may appear in the place of its location.

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Causes thyroid pain

• Hyperthyroidism
• Thyroiditis
• Riedel's chronic fibrous thyroiditis
• Hashimoto's Chronic Lymphomatous Thyroiditis
• De Quervain-Crile granulomatous thyroiditis
• Thyroid cancer

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Diagnostics thyroid pain

When the above symptoms occur, people often seek advice from an otolaryngologist, as they mistakenly believe that it is not the thyroid gland that hurts, but the trachea or something in the throat. However, having thoroughly analyzed the pain in the thyroid gland, its nature and accompanying symptoms, you can determine for yourself that it is the source of the painful sensations. In this case, you need to consult an endocrinologist for diagnosis and treatment.

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Differential diagnosis

1. Hyperthyroidism is a condition of increased activity of the thyroid gland, in which an excess amount of hormones is produced in the gland itself. As a result, metabolism increases and a person experiences sensations of sudden heat and sweating, and also rapidly loses weight. If you experience discomfort and pain in the thyroid gland, rapid heartbeat and increased irritability, as well as hand tremors, then most likely the doctor will diagnose you with hyperthyroidism.
2. Thyroiditis - this complex term denotes an equally complex disease - inflammation of the unchanged thyroid gland (if the patient suffers from goiter, the same disease is called "strumitis"). This disease develops due to a chronic or acute infection. If your deterioration in health began with a headache, fever, and then severe pain in the thyroid gland, which spreads to the ear and back of the head, then you can safely suspect thyroiditis. Especially if swelling occurs in the neck area, which shifts when swallowing.
3. Riedel's chronic fibrous thyroiditis occurs due to the proliferation of connective and other tissues of the thyroid gland. The gland itself becomes greatly enlarged, hard as a stone and fuses with the surrounding tissues. The pain is quite moderate. The causes of this disease have not yet been fully established.
4. Chronic lymphomatous thyroiditis Hashimoto is a disease that in most cases occurs in women over 50 years of age. This disease is classified as autoimmune. This means that for some (most likely, not fully established) reasons, the human immune system began to produce components that negatively affect the functioning of the thyroid gland, causing it to produce a modified inactive hormone thyroglobulin. In the initial stages of chronic lymphomatous thyroiditis Hashimoto, the only symptom is an enlarged thyroid gland. The disease develops over a fairly long period of time - from 1 year to 4 years. In the later stages, its thyroid function decreases and iodine accumulation also decreases.
5. De Quervain-Krail's granulomatous thyroiditis is also called non-purulent thyroiditis. It is caused by a viral infection. The clinical manifestations of this disease are very similar to ordinary thyroiditis and are also accompanied by pain in the thyroid gland.
6. Thyroid cancer is very treatable (95% recovery rate) if detected in the early stages. But the paradox is that quite often, due to symptoms very similar to those of infectious diseases (pain in the thyroid gland, neck, throat, difficulty swallowing and breathing, etc.), doctors fail to make a correct diagnosis in time. Most often, women over 30 suffer from this disease. Women during menopause are at particular risk.

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The thyroid gland is a real shield of our body. When its function is insufficient or excessive, a person suffers from many unpleasant sensations, sleep disorders, weight loss or gain, hot flashes and anger, and many others. Premature aging of the skin and the occurrence of many gastroenterological problems are also often associated with thyroid diseases. That is why you should not underestimate thyroid pain - it needs to be treated as quickly as possible with the help of a qualified specialist.

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