Symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis

Unfortunately, the human body can not always work smoothly and clearly - for example, the immune system may fail, and protective forces will begin to synthesize antibodies against their own cells and tissues. This condition is called autoimmune pathology, and one of the consequences of an autoimmune failure is thyroiditis. Symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis are not always typical and expressed, and this can greatly complicate the diagnosis.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

First signs

If the thyroid gland continues to function, the patient may not initially feel the presence of the disease. Only in some cases there is a feeling of discomfort in the front of the neck.

Nevertheless, outwardly the patient can see some changes:

• there is a slowness in the movements;
• face swollen, pale, sometimes with a slight icterus;
• there may be a painful blush on the cheeks and nose;
• the condition of the hair deteriorates (both on the head and on the body) - they fall out, become fragile. Sometimes the fall affects even the eyebrows and pubic hair;
• facial muscles weaken, facial expression becomes expressionless;
• slowness and slurred speech (due to swelling of the tongue);
• dyspnea appears, the patient breathes mainly with the mouth;
• the skin becomes dry, loses elasticity, there are cracked and rough areas.

Over time, the patient himself begins to feel the manifestations of the disease:

• constant feeling of fatigue, decrease in working capacity, drowsiness;
• voicelessness of voice, memory impairment;
• problems with defecation, constipation;
• violation of the monthly cycle in women (up to amenorrhea), infertility, mastopathy, discharge from the mammary glands;
• impotence or decreased libido in men;
• dryness of oral mucosa;
• in children - a delay in development, in growth.

[6], [7]

Temperature with autoimmune thyroiditis

The tendency to decrease the temperature with autoimmune thyroiditis is successfully used for the diagnosis of the disease. Such a diagnostic method is called a temperature test.

The essence of the test is that the decrease in temperature is considered one of the symptoms of this pathology. In order to conduct a measurement, you need to take an ordinary thermometer, and in the evening to prepare it for temperature measurement. In the morning, without getting out of bed, you should take a thermometer and measure the temperature indicators in the area of the armpits - they must correspond to 36.6 ° or slightly more. If the indicators are lower, then this can already indicate a violation of the thyroid gland.

To clarify the result, the measurement should be carried out for five consecutive days, after which the mean value is calculated.

In childhood and in men, the test can be conducted on any days. The same applies to women after 50 years. Patients of reproductive age begin testing on the second day of menstruation (to avoid measurement errors).

Persistent low body temperature is one of the signs of a decrease in the function of the gland.

Psychosomatics of autoimmune thyroiditis

Psychosomatics of the disease indicates the presence of a psychological component: the scientists have revealed some relationship between the emotional state of patients and the work of the immune system. So, psychological disorders, depressive states, stresses provoke a chain of intracellular processes, including production of hormones that are responsible for "extraordinary" states of the body. As a result, a disease develops that affects the most weakened organ - in this case the thyroid gland becomes such an organ.

Autoimmune thyroiditis and depression are often interrelated. In this case, the patient has a decrease in motor activity, indifference to the surrounding world, a low mood. Such a condition often serves as a reason for the patient to seek medical help (first of all, psychological).

Lymphadenopathy from autoimmune thyroiditis

With autoimmune thyroiditis, the lymph nodes around the thyroid gland (especially in the lower part of it) are usually enlarged, hypertrophied, but their size can not be more than the size of the average bean. The internal structure of the thyroid gland is grayish-pink in color, it is uniform. Lympho-follicles can be visualized.

The main characteristics of the tissue structure of the thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroiditis are:

• filling it with lymphocytes instead of native cells of the gland;
• the appearance of lymphatic follicles and embryonic centers;
• decrease in the number and volume of glandular follicles;
• sclerosing interstitial tissues.

In connection with the excessive proliferation of lymphoid tissues in the thyroid gland and the loss of native productive cells, autoimmune thyroiditis is often referred to as the term "lymphoid goiter".

Scientists admit that the excess function of the gland is combined with the defeat of thyroid cells, which is the cause of autoimmunization. This is manifested by the abundance of lymphoid tissues in the gland and the appearance of antithyroid antibodies in the blood test.

Hair loss with autoimmune thyroiditis

Hair loss in autoimmune thyroiditis is associated with a significant imbalance of thyroid hormones. As a rule, hair falls out not completely, but only partially - it is called focal allotheca, when the patient discovers the areas of baldness.

Immunity of a person who has suffered disorders due to dysfunction of the thyroid gland, begins to produce antibodies against hair follicles. At the same time, hair growth is inhibited, not only on the scalp, but also in the pubic region, under the arms, etc. This process is quite unpleasant, because the patient can lose up to 25% of hair in a short period of time.

Timely diagnosed autoimmune thyroiditis and adequately prescribed treatment can stop the process of hair loss and even restore damaged areas of the hairline.

Night sweating with autoimmune thyroiditis

Excessive sweating and hormonal disorders of the thyroid gland are invariable signs of increased function. It's no secret that this gland produces a number of hormones that are extremely important for the human body. Iodine-containing hormones - iodothyronine - are involved in metabolic processes. For these processes, hormone thyroxine is also important. Calcitonin provides the presence of calcium in the bone system, has an effect on increasing and decreasing the probability of osteoporosis.

Any experienced doctor, after learning about such a symptom as excessive sweating at night, can suspect a disease of the thyroid gland. Of course, in order to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a series of examinations - a blood test for the amount of hormones, ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland,

With proper treatment, the sweating phenomenon decreases and gradually disappears altogether.

Classification of autoimmune thyroiditis

In the development of the disease, four stages of autoimmune thyroiditis are distinguished: the degree of their manifestation and duration may vary in different patients:

• the stage of early thyrotoxicosis;
• transitional stage of euthyroidism;
• stage of transient hypothyroidism;
• stage of recovery.

In the event that the patient is not assigned timely full-fledged treatment, the early thyrotoxic stage may be delayed or recur (repeated). It is generally accepted that without treatment, the number of affected thyroid cells is much higher. For this reason, and the danger of permanent hypothyroidism in autoimmune thyroiditis is quite high.

The extent of the disease is determined by the extent of the thyroid gland:

• autoimmune thyroiditis of 1 degree - externally the thyroid gland is not noticeable, but with palpation it is possible to determine the isthmus of the gland;
• autoimmune thyroiditis of 2 degrees - an enlarged thyroid gland can be seen on swallowing, and when feeling it determines the whole gland;
• autoimmune thyroiditis of 3 degrees - enlargement of the gland is noticeable with the naked eye.

In some cases, atypical variants of the disease may develop, but this is rare.

According to the nature of the course in the disease, acute, subacute and chronic period is isolated.

Acute autoimmune thyroiditis is characterized by such symptoms:

• decrease in body weight;
• increased heart rate;
• nervousness;
• constant fatigue, sleep disturbance;
• panic attacks;
• deterioration of attention;
• violations of the menstrual cycle in women;
• intolerance to stuffy rooms;
• tremor;
• numbness of limbs;
• dry mouth;
• dyspepsia;
• increased blood pressure;
• swelling of the face;
• difficulty swallowing;
• a hoarse voice;
• impotence in men.

Subacute autoimmune thyroiditis is the next stage of the disease, in the absence of treatment for an acute disease. It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• pain in the neck region at the site of the thyroid gland;
• slow heart rate;
• fragility and hair loss;
• dryness and roughness of the skin;
• increase in body weight;
• weakening memory;
• development of depressive state;
• hearing loss;
• joint and muscle pain;
• swelling;
• problems with defecation;
• lowering of blood pressure;
• swelling of the tongue;
• deterioration of the nails;
• chills;
• weakness.

At this stage, most of the functions in the body are upset, which in the future can cause damage to other organs and systems.

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is characterized by slow destruction of the thyroid gland - this can continue for many years. For a chronic course, relative asymptomatic symptoms or mild symptoms of hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis are typical. Diagnostic studies often do not reveal pathology: the patient is prescribed exercise therapy, therapeutic nutrition, sedatives, but such treatment does not bring relief to the patient.

Initial signs of chronic disease occur simultaneously with an increase in thyroid gland - during this period the structure of glandular tissues changes and becomes more compacted.

The patient may complain of a feeling of pressure in the neck, a foreign body in the throat. There are difficulties with swallowing and even with breathing (if the gland is enlarged significantly). In addition, with the growth of pathology, hormonal failure also progresses. The patient becomes irritable, there is an increase in heart rate, lethargy, hyperhidrosis, emaciation.

In childhood, the disease is manifested as a belated development of the child, both from the physical and mental aspects.

[8], [9], [10], [11], [12]

Forms of autoimmune thyroiditis

Diffuse autoimmune thyroiditis (hypertrophic form) proceeds with an increase in the entire thyroid gland, which provokes a feeling of pressure in the anterior part of the neck and difficulty with swallowing in the patient. Externally, the anterior cervical region increases in volume, and the densified and fluctuating gland is easily probed. At the initial stages of development, the thyroid gland changes its size evenly, but later autoimmune thyroiditis with nodal formation can develop, at which individual nodules are formed. Visually, this gives the surface of the thyroid a typical unevenness and tuberosity.

In general, an increase in the size of the thyroid gland is often combined with signs of a decreased function when the production of thyroid hormones decreases. Metabolism and metabolic processes slow down, edema appears, which directly affects weight gain. Patients note the presence of a constant sensation of cold, excessive dryness of the skin, deterioration of the hair and nails. Anemia develops, and with it comes apathy, drowsiness, dizziness. The process of memorization worsens, absentmindedness, inattention appears. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland affect the change in the function of the pituitary system and the sex glands. As a result, male patients report a potency disorder. Women complain of miscarriages of menstruation, the impossibility of becoming pregnant.

Toxic autoimmune thyroiditis at the initial stages of progression may be accompanied by hyperthyroidism with excessive production of hormones. As a consequence of this excess, there is a stimulation of metabolic processes and toxic damage to internal organs. Patients are troubled by such symptoms:

• The skin becomes hyperemic and hot to the touch;
• there is frequent palpitation, increased sweating;
• often attacks of heat.

Increased metabolism leads to severe thinning, despite the increased appetite. Over time, when the hormonal reserves are coming to an end, the disease passes into the stage of hypothyroidism.

Subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis is a form of the disease that is confirmed by laboratory tests (an increased amount of TSH with a normal number of free T4 and T3), but does not show clinical signs. This form is much more common than the one that is expressed by obvious symptoms. This trend affects the fact that the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis may be delayed.

Subclinical course is characteristic for such a disease as normotrophic autoimmune thyroiditis. For this form, the normal size of the gland and the absence of symptomatic symptoms are characteristic.

Atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis also occurs without an increase in the thyroid gland. This disease can be observed in patients who had previously been exposed to radiation (radiation therapy). Symptomatic signs of an atrophic form coincide with signs of hypothyroidism - a decreased work of the thyroid gland.

Thyroid disease is sometimes difficult to recognize and detect in a timely manner. So, the symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis can manifest themselves only in the late stages of the disease. Therefore, great importance is attached to preventive examinations and examinations that help to identify the disease as early as possible in order to start the necessary treatment in time.

[13], [14], [15], [16]