Goiter endemic

Goiter endemic is a disease of residents of certain geographical areas with iodine deficiency in the environment, characterized by an increase in the thyroid gland.

Etiology, pathogenesis. The lack of iodine in soil, water, food, the use of products containing substances of thyreostatic action (some varieties of cabbage, turnips, rutabaga, turnips) lead to a compensatory enlargement of the thyroid gland. An increase in the thyroid gland, not caused by insufficient iodine content in the environment, is a sign of sporadic goiter (genetic disorders of intra-thyroid iodine metabolism and the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones).

Symptoms. Distinguish between diffuse, nodular and mixed forms of goiter. Function of the thyroid gland can be broken, reduced or increased. The most typical development of hypothyroidism. One manifestation of thyroid deficiency since childhood is cretinism (a combination of hypothyroidism with a delay in mental and physical development). With a significant size of goiter there are symptoms of compression of the neck, respiratory distress, dysphagia, hoarseness. At a zakazdinnom arrangement of a struma there can be signs of compression of bronchuses, the top hollow vein, an esophagus. When the goiter is located in the anterior mediastinum (intracranial goiter), an X-ray examination is the leading in diagnosis. Absorption of 131I thyroid is often increased, the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood exceeds the norm, with hypothyroidism - low levels of T3 and T4 in the blood.

Treatment. In the diffuse form, which proceeds without symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, - anti- string, microdoses of iodine, thyroidin, thyreotome, thyrecombe, thyroxine. When hypothyroidism is thyroid hormones in doses necessary to compensate for the condition. With nodal or mixed goiter, signs of compression of the neck, a vicious arrangement of goiter - surgical treatment.

Prevention: the use of iodized table salt, antistrum in endemic foci.