The thyroid gland and its hormones. How does an unhealthy thyroid gland affect pregnancy?

The thyroid gland is an extremely important node in the human body. It is located in the neck area and is similar in shape to a butterfly. The thyroid gland produces hormones endocrine system which are necessary to maintain everyone's vitality.

Due to abnormalities in the functioning of this organ, a person can face serious diseases of almost any system in the body. Violations thyroid gland the most dangerous for the state of reproductive function, liver, intestines, brain, etc.

If you don't know what it affects thyroid gland, Necessarily .

The thyroid gland produces 2 types of hormones: T3 and T4. They instantly enter the bloodstream, after which they are distributed throughout the body.

A certain amount of such biologically active substances is contained in every human organ and tissue. To produce these hormones, the human body needs to obtain a certain amount of iodine.

The fact is that a person himself cannot synthesize this chemical element - he receives it. It is extremely important that the body regularly receives the required amount of iodine, otherwise the functioning of the thyroid gland begins to be disrupted.

Thyroid functions

Thyroid gland – unique organ in the human body. Without it, not a single process could take place. All the iodine that enters the blood from medicines or food, is captured by the thyroid gland.

Due to the presence of gland nodules, they can become large sizes, causing cervical crossing symptoms. However, not all enlarged thyroid glands have nodules, since the glands can be diffusely enlarged. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. What is your frequency in the population? Malignancy is defined as an enlargement of the thyroid gland. This enlargement may be caused by nodules, inflammatory diseases, or diffuse enlargement of the gland. The incidence of multinodular goiter reaches 30% of the world population.

The causes of thyroid nodules have been widely studied and discussed. The factors most clearly associated with nodule formation are lack of dietary iodine and hypothyroidism. There is undoubtedly a greater predisposition to developing thyroid nodules with age. Some studies show that taking too much iodine leads to goiters, just as pregnancy increases the likelihood of nodules. All thyroid nodules should be evaluated to rule out the possibility of thyroid cancer.

This chemical element necessary for the synthesis of hormones of the endocrine system - thyroid. They are responsible for all metabolic processes in the body.

In addition, the thyroid gland performs a regulatory function. It is especially important for the intrauterine development and growth of the child in the first years of his life.

It is the thyroid that is responsible for the formation of internal organs and systems and the development of immune functions. This endocrine node is also responsible for the birth of certain tissues and cells.

The most important thing in the activity of the thyroid gland is to ensure the vital functions of the body as a whole. This organ ensures all metabolic processes in the body.

Human body - complex system, formed from millions of different cells. Various processes take place in them every second, aimed at meeting the needs of both internal and external ones.

Satisfaction of these needs is possible only with full functioning of the thyroid gland. This organ produces the required volume of hormones every second, which not only carry certain biological and chemical information, but can also send specific signals.

In terms of importance, the thyroid gland can easily be compared to the pituitary gland. This small organ helps the body respond to any changes in a timely manner, ensures metabolic processes, starts and regulates all actions.

Also, without the thyroid gland, the body would not be able to maintain the required breathing rate or heart rate. Thanks to the hormones of the endocrine gland, a person can develop physically and mentally.

Biological role of the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is an organ responsible for many processes in the body. People who, for one reason or another, have it, are forced to take a number of medications throughout their lives.

This is the only way to minimize negative impact such a deviation on the body.

The thyroid gland performs the following biological functions:

• Regulatory and stimulating– the thyroid gland is responsible for the formation, maturation, development, restoration and renewal of all human organs and tissues. In addition, the hormones produced by this endocrine gland promote accelerated cell division, which is extremely important for intrauterine development. How the child’s thyroid gland is formed will determine his mental development, strong bone skeleton, the possibility of reproductive function.
• Ensuring energy metabolism– Thyroid hormones determine the production of mitochondria. These are cellular structures without which it would be impossible to imagine a single reaction in the entire body. Mitochondria determine how much oxygen a person needs, release energy and heat. It must be taken into account that energy is needed not only for physical processes, but also for mental and biochemical ones.
• Anabolic effect– production of specific proteins, which are the basis of enzymes. Such substances are necessary for the biological regulation of cellular and intercellular processes. In addition, enzymes are responsible for the normal functioning of the central nervous system.
• Ensuring homeostasis– endocrine hormones help reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood and increase the body’s sensitivity to beneficial nutrients. Hormones also ensure the uninterrupted removal of waste and toxins from the body. Thanks to this, a person gets rid of swelling and inflammation.
• Supports Metabolism– the hormones of this endocrine gland enhance the effect of other biologically active substances in the body, making their interaction more effective. Particularly important are those that produce somatotropin, a substance responsible for maintaining all endocrine glands in the body.
• Provides functionality of the central nervous system– thyroid hormones support the normal functioning of all adaptive reactions. This is especially important for the body during periods of stress, emotional turmoil and other phenomena. In addition, hormones have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

It is very difficult to overestimate the importance of the thyroid gland. It is this small organ, located in the front of the neck, that is responsible for providing and maintaining all important processes in the body.

For the normal functioning of this organ, it is extremely important that the body receives a sufficient amount of iodine. Without it, the thyroid gland will not be able to produce hormones.

Modern life It's hard to imagine without stress. Weakness, fatigue, insomnia are familiar symptoms, aren’t they? Do you know that these signs can be caused not only by stress, but also by serious illness? Today, a general practitioner talks about how to recognize a dangerous disease in time.

Thyroid gland: general information

The statement that many diseases arise from excessive worry and stress is not without meaning. Therefore, we are trying our best to maintain peace of mind. “Nerves of steel” are the dream of everyone who knows what trouble is.

It happens that the usual valerian drops no longer help, and your nerves continue to be naughty. In such a situation, few people think about the fact that the weak nervous system in a woman it may not be a cause, but a consequence of malfunctions in the internal organs, and above all, the thyroid gland! In order to find the peace of mind of the “iron lady”, you need to sort out your health.

The thyroid gland is a small organ located on the front surface of the neck, consisting of two halves - lobules, connected by an isthmus. The thyroid gland is very actively involved in metabolism, releasing hormones into the bloodstream. The work of almost all internal organs suffers from an excess or deficiency of these hormones, and the nervous system signals us about this.

It’s no wonder that thyroid pathology can turn a self-confident and balanced woman into a fury, capable of ruining the mood of herself and her loved ones at the slightest provocation.

In men, the thyroid gland is more obedient and malfunctions less often. And it’s not surprising, because in male body All internal organs They work on a stable schedule, being out of schedule only on March 8th and during the World Cup.

The work of the female body is subject to its own special biorhythms: menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause - all these processes affect the functioning of the thyroid gland and make us more susceptible to mood swings, neuroses and depression.

Thyroid hormones

The function of the thyroid gland is strictly subordinate to the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Under the influence of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland), the thyroid gland can activate or slow down its activity, releasing more or less amounts of the main hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

It is for the synthesis of these hormones that the thyroid gland needs sufficient iodine intake from food. As soon as the body receives the required amount of hormones, the TSH level decreases and the functioning of the thyroid gland is inhibited.

The third hormone produced by the thyroid gland is calcitonin. This hormone ensures the strength of bone tissue, saturating it with calcium and preventing bone destruction.

Thyroid gland: causes of diseases

The main task of the thyroid gland is to control the rate of metabolism (metabolism).

Despite its small size (the weight of the gland is about 25 grams), the thyroid gland subordinates almost all processes in the body. Development of female breasts, condition of skin and hair, ability to bear and give birth healthy child- all this largely depends on her work.

Thyroid hormones affect our mental abilities, sleep and appetite, physical activity, body weight, the strength of skeletal bones, the functioning of the heart and other internal organs.

Modern scientists assign a significant role to the thyroid gland in managing the functioning of the immune system and even in the development of aging mechanisms.

Scientists have found that in 50-60% of cases, thyroid pathology is a hereditary disease. However, it is often the predisposition to the disease that is inherited, rather than the disease itself. Under the influence of harmful environmental factors, this disease may or may not manifest itself.

What affects the functioning of the thyroid gland?

In first place among the factors affecting the functioning of the thyroid gland is insufficient intake of iodine into the body, which is necessary for the normal production of hormones T3 and T4. However, excess iodine from food and medications can also cause harm.

Excessive exposure to the sun and exposure to radiation play a significant role.

Sometimes the causes of thyroid disease are autoimmune processes, when, as a result of improper functioning of the immune system, antibodies are produced to the cells of the thyroid gland, which leads to its damage.

Infections, both viral and bacterial, contribute.

Sometimes problems with the thyroid gland are congenital, associated with enzyme pathology or abnormal development of the organ.

Unfortunately, the gland is not spared the problem of neoplasms: benign and malignant.

Hormonal imbalance or nervous breakdown?

Often, thyroid disease develops latently. We often interpret symptoms such as irritability, tearfulness, sleep disturbances, nervousness, changes in appetite and body weight as a manifestation of fatigue, overwork at work or depression. And we blame all other symptoms on the consequences of nervous exhaustion.

Conventional sedatives, rest and a change of environment have only a temporary effect, and after that the problem returns again with a vengeance. In this case, you should listen more carefully to your body and try to understand what is happening with the help of a doctor.

Poor health can be caused by a lack of thyroid hormones - hypothyroidism, an excess of hormones - thyrotoxicosis, as well as symptoms of compression of the neck organs by an enlarged thyroid gland - goiter, with normal levels of hormones in the blood (euthyroidism).

Thyroid gland: symptoms of hypothyroidism

If the cause of loose nerves is a pathology of the thyroid gland, then you may notice specific changes in your health. With hypothyroidism, the body's metabolism decreases. All processes slow down.

• weakness, decreased performance and memory, drowsiness, lethargy, slow speech;
• gloomy mood, various manifestations of depression.

General symptoms:

• frequent colds;
• slow functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which is primarily manifested by constipation;
• weight gain with decreased appetite and lack of pleasure from eating;
• chilliness of hands and feet, decreased body temperature;
• dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss, hoarseness of voice;
• fluctuations blood pressure, attacks of VSD, anemia, interruptions in heart function.

With hypothyroidism, the menstrual cycle changes: monthly bleeding becomes rare, and menopause occurs early. Women with hypothyroidism have a more difficult time getting pregnant; a lack of thyroid hormones often leads to miscarriage.

In a word, hypothyroidism can be described as a state of complete loss of vital energy.

Before the advent of medical treatments, this disease was fatal.

Thyroid gland: symptoms of thyrotoxicosis

With thyrotoxicosis, when too much thyroid hormone is produced, on the contrary, the metabolism sharply accelerates.

Neuropsychiatric disorders:

• poor restless sleep, increased fatigue, inability to concentrate on the task at hand, weakness;
• aggressiveness, frequent mood swings, excessive emotionality, short temper, tearfulness.

General symptoms:

• rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, shortness of breath;
• prolonged increase in body temperature to subfertile levels;
• hot flashes, feeling of heat, generalized hyperhidrosis;
• trembling of the hands, tongue, swelling of the tissues around the eyes, “bulging eyes”;
• increased bowel movements and urination, thirst;
• weight loss with good appetite;
• hair loss;
• decreased libido, menstrual dysfunction.

The appearance of a goiter - thickening in the supraclavicular region of the neck, swelling in the projection of the thyroid gland - can occur with any functional state glands and always requires treatment.

Thyroid gland: diagnosis and treatment

Of great importance in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases is the determination of the hormones TSH, T3 and T4 in the blood.

Fluctuations in TSH levels outside the normal range already indicate pathology, even if normal levels of T3 and T4 are maintained - this condition is called subclinical, and, despite the possible absence of obvious symptoms, requires correction.

To identify the cause of thyroid disease, the level of antibodies to various components of thyroid cells is determined: thyroglobulin, thyrocyte peroxidase, etc.

For precise definition The size and volume of the gland, the presence of nodes and cysts in it, an ultrasound examination is performed.

To determine abnormalities in the structure of the gland, study the activity and nature of the nodes in the thyroid gland, the scintigraphy method is used, as well as the color Doppler mapping method, which studies the blood flow inside the organ.

If formations are detected in the gland, they are punctured under ultrasound control and material is obtained for cytological examination, based on the results of which the treatment tactics for the disease are finally determined.

In case of insufficient gland function (hypothyroidism), long-term hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. In case of thyrotoxicosis, on the contrary, drugs that suppress the function of the thyroid gland are used.

In addition to conservative therapy, they often resort to surgical treatment: removal of a node or part of the thyroid gland.

Natalya Dolgopolova,
general practitioner

Author's article

Discussion

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It could be both. But it looks like hypothyroidism. Is there any swelling? By the way, remedies with white cinquefoil help me with it

Hello, is it true that the thyroid gland can cause such symptoms? how to treat?

Hello. I have a state of irritability, fatigue, anxiety that has recently started. I am raising a child alone and recently sent the child to kindergarten, maybe this is why you can tell me?

Hello,
I have a sore throat and my voice often disappears. Fatigue. I always go nervous. When a sore throat appears, there is not enough air. You couldn't tell what was wrong with me

please tell me - increased sudden hairiness on the body, and thinning of the hair on the head with subsequent loss to the point of baldness, as well as poor sleep, frequent depression, weight loss, severe fatigue - what does it look like more??? for thyrotoxicosis or vice versa? thank you in advance

Hello! Please tell me, I have 4 nodes, I underwent radiotherapy a month ago... and I have a lump in my throat, I eat normally, but it hurts to swallow drool, and why is it not swallowed???

In short, I thought so, read it and realized that I urgently need to go to the doctor and get all the tests done!

Comment on the article "Thyroid gland or frayed nerves?"

Child health, illnesses and treatment, clinic, hospital, doctor, vaccinations. Hormonal background and harmonious development. Cases of congenital hypothyroidism in Russia average 1 in 4000 newborns.

Discussion

See at least a few more doctors, take more tests to make a diagnosis, before taking the hormone. Don't listen to those who say that thyroxine is like vitamins. This is certainly not scary, but maybe there is no need to take it? This is a child, and even during the transition period there may well be temporary fluctuations.

Don't go crazy! There is nothing scary in L-thyroxine, no unpleasant manifestations. This is not prednisolone. Millions of people drink it all their lives, me too. I woke up in the morning, drank and moved on with my life. But I suspect that you do not have a very good endocrinologist if he is waiting for the result in 2 weeks. L-thyroxine accumulates for 2 months. If he wants to check how it works, two weeks is not enough.

Section: ...I find it difficult to choose a section (gymnastics with hypothyroidism). Is hypothyroidism a hindrance to beauty? Hormonal imbalance or nervous breakdown? Thyroid gland: symptoms of hypothyroidism With hypothyroidism, the body's metabolism decreases.

Discussion

I have 12 years of experience. I’ve never discussed this topic with cosmetologists at all and haven’t thought in this direction myself. When it comes to cosmetics, I do what I want or consider necessary, regardless of doses, tests, etc. Outwardly I look younger than my age - this is objective.

As for the dose, it’s completely normal that you can’t find it yet. because the dose strongly depends on solar activity. the dose should be different for different seasons. in March the indicators were essentially winter. you started taking medications and the sun also made adjustments. This is where the bullshit comes from. In our climate, it is better to first select the “winter” dose. I wouldn’t undergo examinations before mid-to-late October - the body needs to adjust to the winter mood.
And yet, you need to keep the dose for three months, and then look at the tests. Otherwise, one of my friends ran tests every other day and adjusted the dose. so of course there will be a continuous undershoot.
Gradually you will begin to “feel” your dose - for me this happened around the third year. You can even correct it yourself - but self-medication, of course, is not correct :)
but don’t worry at all, it seems to me that this is a very common disease - it’s just that most people are not examined!

Hypothyroidism is not a hindrance to anything. But only compensated. Pick up the dose quickly, and you will be happy. And one more thing. The thyroid gland needs to be treated by a good endocrinologist, and there are not many of them. I don’t know how long it will take for you to select a dose, if it takes a long time and still nothing, look for another doctor.

Even Rusmedserv writes that, “A study of T3 levels in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is not mandatory ([link-2]). This is what alternative doctors offer, seeking not to remove symptoms, but rather to treat: auriculotherapy ([link-3]), reflexology ([ link-4]) (at...

Discussion

My mother was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when she was pregnant with my sister, she thought it was toxicosis, she felt nauseous and had no strength (it was already about 4 months).... until the thyroid gland began to choke... then treatment... now my sister is 22 years old, no problem...

It’s great that you touched on this topic! I have this story. Hypothyroidism was discovered at the 9th week of pregnancy. TSH was more than 8 (with the norm being up to 4, and with B it should be even lower). We went to the endocrinologist. She really scared me! Thank God, everything turned out fine, thyroxine was immediately prescribed, pregnancy and childbirth passed without problems, but I was pretty nervous. As my G said, “you caught the last car.” Horror!
So yes, it won’t hurt to get your thyroid checked before planning.
There may not be all the accompanying symptoms at all: no drowsiness, etc. (I didn’t have any of the above), and B came on me then with half a kick (unplanned), and the hormones, it turns out, were not in order.
When I learned about my diagnosis, what was the first thing I did? Of course, I went on the Internet.. And there... I read that in Soviet years Pregnant women with this diagnosis were automatically sent for cleaning, because The likelihood of giving birth to a healthy child and simply carrying it to term is very low. But something then made me believe that everything was fine with me.

So now I’ve been taking thyroxine for 5 years, I take a TSH test every six months, St. T4, my thyroid gland is small (but I’m really not big myself), so apparently it can’t cope. I maintain the norm on 50 mcg of thyroxine, I don’t experience any problems with taking replacement therapy, so I’ve never even thought about alternative methods, although I really like the idea of ​​a trip to the south :)

I also have hypothyroidism (autoimmune thyroiditis). I was told that iodine is not allowed for this disease. Only hormones. Hormonal imbalance or nervous breakdown? Thyroid gland: symptoms of hypothyroidism With hypothyroidism, the body's metabolism decreases.

Discussion

Get tested for hormones, do an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, go to a competent endocrinologist. You can consult on Tironet.ru - the best endocrinologists advise there. With compensated hypothyroidism, you can give birth, but it must be compensated and during pregnancy you must immediately increase the dose of thyroxine (as I understand, you have not been prescribed it at all).

Dear DD,

I dove a little deeper into the topic (a little because my son and wife got sick with ARVI and I've been dealing with both of them since last night) and here's what I found regarding subclinical hypothyroidism:

PREGNANCY AND HYPOTHYROIDSIS

1.1. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, indicators characterizing the function of the thyroid gland (TG) must be normalized as quickly as possible. The dose of L-thyroxine (L-T4) must be changed so that the TSH level quickly normalizes - less than 2.5 mU/L in the first trimester (or 3.0 mU/L in the second and third) or so that it reaches normal for the corresponding trimester level. Thyroid function should be re-evaluated after 30 to 40 days (USPSTF grade: A; evidence good; GRADE 1, ØØØØ).

1.2. If hypothyroidism was diagnosed before pregnancy, L-T4 dose titration is recommended before conception to achieve a TSH level of less than 2.5 mU/L (USPSTF grade: B; evidence is poor; GRADE 2, ØΟΟΟ).

1.3. The L-T4 dose usually needs to be increased at 4-8 weeks of pregnancy by 30 to 50% (USPSTF grade: A; evidence good; GRADE 1, ØØØØ).

1.4. Women with autoimmune thyroiditis early stages pregnant women are at risk of developing hypothyroidism and their TSH levels should be monitored (USPSTF level: A; good evidence; GRADE 1, ØØØΟ).

1.5. Subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH level above normal, free T4 level normal) is associated with adverse consequences for both mother and fetus (USPSTF level: B; moderate evidence; GRADE 1, ØØΟΟ). However, the effectiveness of replacement therapy in preventing these consequences has not been proven; but because the potential benefit outweighs the risk, the panel recommends L-T4 replacement therapy in this setting (USPSTF grade: I; evidence poor; GRADE 2, ΟΟΟΟ).

8. Screening for thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy
Although the benefits of universal screening for thyroid dysfunction (primarily hypothyroidism) are currently unproven (see sections 1 - 7), we recommend testing TSH levels in women at risk (USPSTF level: B; evidence moderate; GRADE 1, ØØΟΟ):

Women with thyroid dysfunction, postpartum thyroiditis and a history of thyroid surgery.

Women with a family history of thyroid disease
Women with goiter
Women with thyroid antibodies
Women with symptoms or clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism
Women with diabetes mellitus 1 type
Women with autoimmune diseases
In infertile women, TSH levels should be determined as part of an infertility screening program (USPSTF grade: B; moderate evidence; GRADE 1, ØØΟΟ).
Women with previous head and neck irradiation.

Your personal view on this data would be important to me. Or maybe we should move to a professional forum, because few people here will be interested in such narrow questions?

I looked into this topic purely by chance. I wrote. Thank you :)) Now I’ll read what’s written below.
And my current story is in many ways reminiscent of this girl’s story. True, I also encountered medical error at the beginning of the examination. An inattentive doctor, if she can even be called a doctor after this, she simply wanted to put me on the operating table from the doorway (link). Yes, TSH was 16.6 then.

Once every two months they take blood for TT and something else. It did not affect the first child; it is usually detected immediately after birth. We were tested right in the maternity hospital, the hormone was normal. But I take thyroxine, and it jumps during pregnancy, those. towards the end the dose of the drug always increases. After childbirth, it returns to the original norm. I'm in the USA, maybe things are different in my homeland. If the doctors are not itching, I would take the initiative into my own hands. You yourself know very well how a sick thyroid gland can affect a child. Some with this diagnosis do not carry to term if they really need background correction with medications, but this does not happen (the girl wrote that her sister had one early miscarriage, another somewhere in the middle, when she stopped taking the drug).

Hypothyroidism. Medical issues. Child from birth to one year. Care and education of a child up to one year: nutrition, illness, development. Hormonal balance and harmonious development. Cases of congenital hypothyroidism in Russia average 1 in 4000 newborns.

Discussion

I have had hypothyroidism for 7 years, I gave birth relatively normally (birth problems were not related to my thyroid gland). I did an ultrasound 10 times - no big deal. You just need to be sure to monitor your hormone levels (do tests at least once every two months) both during pregnancy and after childbirth.

It is better not to regulate the hormone level on your own, since an overdose increases the risk of both hyperfunction and hypofunction of the fetal thyroid gland (it does not develop properly, because it receives maternal hormones in excess).

And one more thing - be sure to get tested for hormones after giving birth - for example, my doctor reduced the dose of the hormone by 2 times. In addition, be sure to notify your endocrinologist if you are breastfeeding, because... prolactin and oxytocin, responsible for breast milk, affect the thyroid-stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland (TSH), which is an indirect indicator of the sufficiency of thyroid hormones. In short, the dose of medication should be determined by peripheral hormones (T3, T4), and not by TSH.

However, I will make a reservation that I am not a doctor myself, but I am giving only the explanations that my endocrinologist gave me. My advice is to find yourself a doctor you trust.

hypothyroidism confirmed during pregnancy should be treated with thyroxine
the child is developing normally
Cretinism is when the child himself is born with hypothyroidism and is not diagnosed at the time
Test for TSH, anti-TPO and free T4 in the child on the 2nd day of birth
don’t worry about the ultrasound, there’s no harm, don’t worry
Good luck

hypothyroidism Diagnosis. Pediatric medicine. Child health, illnesses and treatment, clinic, hospital, doctor, vaccinations. From "Pediatrics" ed. Gref: “Clinical picture of congenital hypothyroidism. Early symptoms are nonspecific: the child eats poorly, rarely cries, he has...

Discussion

THE LEADING clinical sign of congenital hypothyroidism is a severe lag in neuropsychic development (the child begins to hold his head up, sit up much later, does not play with toys, does not recognize relatives), and with weight, on the contrary, is too good (they are born large, and then gain weight faster). In your situation, you should first look at your dad and mom (maybe you are graceful yourself), remember what weight you were born with. From experience I can say that although your numbers are below average, they are not catastrophic.