The iron located at the base of the neck, called the thyroid, produces hormones that are responsible for regulating the speed of metabolic processes, generating body energy and maintaining its normal temperature. Also, such a gland is very important for the proper functioning and assimilation of vitamins entering the human body along with food, as well as for the normal heart rate and growth of connective tissue. The thyroid gland is not a fully studied organ, and this is bad, since it is it that strongly affects the state of human health, and any problem that arises in it always provokes the development of dangerous consequences.
Status Description
Despite the fact that pathological processes in the thyroid gland most often occur in women, the reasons for their appearance are the same for both sexes: the production and prolonged presence of a large amount of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the body or, conversely, their lack can worsen the health status of this organ.
In the initial stages, the first signs of thyroid disease appear to a minimum, which does not reveal the disease at the earliest stages of its development. It is important to consider the main signs of organ damage. It should be remembered that the symptoms of thyroid disease and signs of the disease appear only after a few months or even years.
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is the organ located at the base of the neck. It is a butterfly form that actively secretes the following hormones into the blood stream: thyroxine, calcitonin and triiodothyronine. They affect the work of all organs and tissues in the human body. An important trace element contributing to the synthesis of thyroid hormones is iodine. It is its sufficient amount in the body that leads to the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.
While the baby is in the womb and during the first few years of his life, thyroid hormones affect the development of the baby’s brain. With their lack during intrauterine growth, the child develops a permanent mental retardation.
In addition, thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating the growth and puberty of a teenager. During life, they provide normal heat production, affect the mood of a person and brain activity, the functioning of the heart, skeleton muscles, and also digestive system organs.
The most common diseases
The following thyroid diseases are common in men:
- endemic goiter;
- hypothyroidism;
- chronic autoimmune thyroiditis;
- oncological neoplasms in the body: thyroid tumors.
To diagnose and prescribe effective treatment, the patient should go to an endocrinologist. The doctor will take into account all the information received from the patient, conduct an external examination, prescribe the appropriate studies, which, depending on the specific situation, may consist in the study of hormone levels, ultrasound, scintigraphy and general clinical tests.
Endemic goiter in a man
Endemic goiter is an active proliferation, an increase in the size of the thyroid gland tissue due to a lack of iodine entering the human body together with food and water.
The main symptom of this disease is an increase in the volume of the thyroid gland (in men it is more than 25 mm). The first signs of a thyroid disease in a man:
- feeling unwell;
- severe pain in the head, dizziness;
- heart problems
- a feeling of strong squeezing of the neck, which only becomes stronger when lying on your back;
- problems with breathing and swallowing;
- asthma attacks (compression of the trachea);
- dry cough.
During the treatment, the doctor prescribes the intake of medicines containing iodine, as well as special diet food. If the goiter has reached too large a size, then surgery is used.
Products with iodine
To prevent the occurrence of such a disease, an adult man should regularly consume 100-200 micrograms of iodine. To achieve this amount of daily allowance, you should eat foods high in micronutrient. For example:
- seafood;
- feijoa;
- iodized salt;
- walnuts;
- sea kale.
If it is not possible to consume such products constantly, then from time to time you can take medications prescribed by your doctor with iodine in the composition, for example, "Iodomarin."
The development of hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a disease that occurs due to a lack of thyroid hormones. This condition can occur when the cells of the gland are damaged by autoimmune inflammation, and when the gland tissue is destroyed by tuberculosis or syphilis. Also, this condition often appears as a result of a decrease in the sensitivity of cells to thyroid-stimulating hormones, after the surgical removal of part of the thyroid gland due to oncology.
The main signs of thyroid disease and symptoms in men include the following:
- general feeling of malaise;
- severe drowsiness;
- fast fatiguability;
- excessive excess weight;
- a decrease in body temperature, the appearance of chills;
- spread of edema on the face;
- dry skin;
- problems with memory and brain activity;
- joint pain;
- pain in the heart, slow pulse;
- prolonged constipation;
- complete or partial lack of appetite;
- depressed state, problems with the nervous system.
In addition, men often develop problems with erectile function.
In the treatment of this form of the disease, the doctor prescribes lifelong administration of thyroid hormone substitutes. Doctors do not isolate special preventive measures for the development of such a disease. To prevent the development of hypothyroid crises, it is important to conduct continuous treatment, as well as regularly visit an endocrinologist who will monitor the status of thyroid hormones and adjust the dosage of medications.
The development of hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is the excessive production of thyroid hormones in the human body.
The main symptoms of thyroid disease and signs of the disease include the following:
- Rapid weight loss.
- Increased sweating.
- The development of eyebrows.
- Heart palpitations.
- The development of atrial fibrillation.
- Strong irritability, increased talkativeness.
- Strong trembling of the extremities.
- Increased appetite.
- Atrophy and severe muscle weakness.
- Violations of coordination of movements.
- External signs of a thyroid disease in a man: early hair loss on the head and other parts of the body.
- Dry and diseased hair.
In men, libido and erectile function are greatly reduced, the front part of the lower leg, as well as the back of the foot, is significantly thickened. Together with hyperthyroidism in a man, myocardial infarction may occur, osteoporosis and severe fragility of the nails begin.
Thyrotoxicosis in men is much more difficult than in women. But many patients for a long time do not go to see a doctor, because they think that everything is normalizing on its own. Therapeutic measures can be carried out with the help of medications (thyreostatic agents are used that help reduce the activity of the thyroid gland).
Sometimes radioactive iodine is prescribed, which in large quantities accumulates in the gland and provokes the active death of pathogenic microorganisms. With a severe stage of the disease, the doctor prescribes surgery (partial removal of organ tissue).
Drug treatment includes regular monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy by the endocrinologist. The most common complication when taking drugs with iodine in the composition or during surgery is the appearance of hypothyroidism, in which it is important to start a lifelong replacement treatment.
After completion of therapy, it is important to adhere to certain preventive measures. Experts advise:
- avoid physical exertion;
- fatigue
- night work;
- emotional overwork, prolonged depression.
It is important to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, regularly go to preventive examinations by an endocrinologist and completely abandon bad habits.
Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis
Most often, this condition has a hereditary form, but can also develop with serious malfunctions in the immune system. What are the signs of thyroid disease? Basically, patients exhibit progressive symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Therapeutic measures are aimed at suppressing the autoimmune reaction, eliminating the inflammatory process, and restoring hypothyroidism by prescribing special medicines.
Preventive measures are taken to protect the patient's body from the formation of cysts and nodes in the thyroid gland. For this, it is important to regularly visit an endocrinologist, monitor the work of the organ and the amount of hormones produced, and get rid of any signs of autoimmune inflammation.
Tumor formations and organ cancer
In men, cancers at the initial stage of development pass without pronounced symptoms. It is important to go to an endocrinologist immediately after the appearance of any asymmetry in the neck (for example, iron began to stand out more strongly on the right than on the left). The attending specialist at the reception will conduct a detailed examination of the patient, prescribe an ultrasound and other examinations.
With tumor formations, it is important to consider the main signs of thyroid disease and treatment. Tumor masses and small cysts are observed by a doctor. Thyroid cancer is treated by an oncologist through surgery, as well as radio and chemotherapy.
You can prevent the development of such a dangerous disease as thyroid cancer by normalizing the iodine balance in the body.
Regular visits to the endocrinologist, ultrasound of nodes and other diagnostic tests will help determine the active development of the tumor and take appropriate measures.
Physical manifestations
Signs of a thyroid disease in a man manifest themselves on the physical side. An insufficient amount of iodine in the body provokes severe fragility of hair and nails, partial or complete lack of appetite, and weight loss. A photo of the signs of thyroid disease in men is presented below.
The body ceases to maintain normal temperature, for which reason a person begins to experience cold. Blood circulation in the body does not tolerate the necessary amount of nutrients that are so important for maintaining the softness and elasticity of the skin, which makes the skin very dry and loses all elasticity.
Mental changes
Psychoemotional manifestations in men are very different from the symptoms of the disease in women. The man’s mood changes a lot, memory problems arise, absent-mindedness, depression, anxiety, irritation, aggressiveness are manifested. Together with these signs, a man’s quality of life is greatly deteriorating due to confusion in thinking, problems with understanding what is going on around him. If there are signs of thyroid disease, it is important to immediately see a doctor.