Thyroid: let’s talk about early diagnosis

It can work too much or too little, but for the general well-being of the organism it should instead work without excesses. We are talking about the thyroid, an important organ which, like an orchestra conductor, regulates the growth and development of the human body, maintaining the harmony of its many functions.

For us women, affected 10 times more than men by diseases and alterations of thyroid function, even in pregnancy and especially in menopause, its functional balance is even more important.

We talk about early diagnosis with Dr. Elena Lovati, radiologist of Humanitas San Pio X.

We often talk about hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, how can they be recognized by the symptoms?

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the most common thyroid diseases, but not the only ones. The symptoms with which these pathologies are manifested can be both generic and specific.

When thyroid function is reduced, i.e. hypothyroidism , you may feel tired, cold, hair loss, constipation, weight gain, dry skin, edema and swelling of the face, difficulty concentrating and cycle alterations when it appears in women in the fertile period.

Excessive thyroid function, i.e. hyperthyroidism , on the other hand can give symptoms approaching anxiety, irritability, palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmias, reduced heat tolerance and excessive sweating, unwanted weight loss, dysentery, tremors, but also fatigue and cycle changes, such as hypothyroidism.

However, knowing these symptoms does not help to self-diagnose but must be an alarm bell for going to the specialist because, especially if in association with a feeling of swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or protruding eyes, they could indicate other pathologies of the thyroid.

What are the causes of thyroid malfunction?

Thyroid malfunction can be due to benign or malignant nodules , thyroid goiter, thyroiditis , or pathologies that can have even serious consequences because they could cause pressure on the trachea or esophagus, or be the cause of cardiac pathologies such as arrhythmias , and alter the quality of life of women.

At what age does early prevention start?

The thyroid can get sick at any age, but checks should be carried out even in the absence of symptoms , talking to your doctor, especially at the beginning of menopause.

Checking the function of the thyroid with endocrinological ultrasound serves to intercept any pathologies early, and to cure them.

 In general, when is ultrasound of the neck indicated?

In the presence of symptoms, even generic ones, it is advisable not to wait. In fact, ultrasound of the neck and lymph nodes is an excellent tool both for the early diagnosis of benign or malignant tumors , and for the treatment of thyroid dysfunctions such as hyperthyroidism , hypothyroidism , goiter, thyroiditis and nodules, because it allows you to accurately see any alteration .

In the case of tumors, then, ultrasound also allows close monitoring over time, which is essential for evaluating the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of therapies. Furthermore, the study of the lymph nodes of the neck that is carried out during the same ultrasound scan can help to determine the presence of other pathologies, such as hematological ones or acute infections or salivary gland stones, clearly visible with the ultrasound scan of the neck.

Finally, in case of suspicions, fine needle aspiration (US-guided) with cytological sampling can be performed during the ultrasound, which together with the dosages of thyroid hormones, helps to establish the nature of the malfunction and therefore to define the therapy.

In any case, ultrasound monitoring of thyroid lesions and pathologies is essential to avoid future complications.