What is Thyroid Disease? Types, Symptoms, and Risks

What is thyroid disease?This is a common question for many people facing health issues related to the neck area. In fact, thyroid disease encompasses various disorders affecting the structure or function of the thyroid gland, a crucial endocrine gland located at the front of the neck. This gland plays a role in regulating the body's metabolism through the production of T3 and T4 hormones. Common disorders include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, along with thyroid nodules developing within the gland.

Early recognition of signs and a clear understanding of thyroid diseases are crucial for timely treatment and limiting complications. In Vietnam, according to statistics from the National Hospital of Endocrinology, thyroid diseases are on the rise, especially among women.

Common thyroid diseases

To better understandWhat is thyroid disease, we need to classify the main types of pathologies:

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, slowing down the metabolism. This leads to many unpleasant symptoms, affecting the quality of life.

• Cause:This can be due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis (a common autoimmune disease in Vietnam), iodine deficiency, overtreatment of hyperthyroidism, or thyroidectomy.
• Symptoms:Patients often experience prolonged fatigue, lethargy, uncontrolled weight gain despite no change in diet, dry skin, brittle and easily shed hair, constipation, and cold sensitivity. Women may experience menstrual irregularities.
• Treatment:Mainly, synthetic thyroid hormone (Levothyroxine) is supplemented daily. Treatment needs to be monitored by a doctor to adjust the dosage appropriately.

Hyperthyroidism

In contrast to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, accelerating the body's metabolic rate.

• Causes:Graves' disease (a common autoimmune disease causing hyperthyroidism), toxic thyroid nodule, thyroiditis, or overdose of thyroid hormones.
• Symptoms:Sudden weight loss despite eating a lot, rapid heartbeat, anxiety and restlessness, hand tremors, excessive sweating, difficulty sleeping, bulging eyes (in Graves' disease).
• Treatments:Depending on the cause and severity of the disease, anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, or surgery may be used. At major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City such as Cho Ray Hospital, University Medical Center, these methods are all effectively applied.

Thyroid cancer

This is a malignant form of thyroid disease; however, most types of thyroid cancer have a good prognosis if detected and treated early.

• Main types:Papillary carcinoma (the majority, about 80-90%), follicular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, and anaplastic carcinoma (rare but highly malignant).
• Symptoms:There are usually no obvious symptoms in the early stages. The most common sign is the appearance of a lump or mass in the neck area, which can be felt. This lump is usually painless, but can cause difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or hoarseness when it grows larger.
• Treatment:Surgery is the primary method, and may be combined with radioactive iodine therapy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules are masses (tumors) that grow inside the thyroid gland. The majority of these nodules are usually benign (approximately 90-95%); however, a small percentage can progress to cancer.

• Symptoms:There are usually no symptoms if the nodule is small. When the nodule is large, it can cause a feeling of obstruction in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing.
• Diagnosis:Thyroid ultrasound is an effective initial diagnostic method. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) may then be needed to determine whether it is benign or malignant.
• Treatment:Benign nodules usually only require regular monitoring. Large nodules causing symptoms or with a risk of malignancy require surgery.

Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can cause temporary hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

• Cause:It can originate from an infection (acute thyroiditis), autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, de Quervain's subacute thyroiditis), or after radiation therapy.
• Symptoms:Neck pain, thyroid swelling, fever, fatigue. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may appear depending on the stage of the disease.
• Treatment:Depending on the cause and symptoms, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or thyroid hormone-regulating drugs may be used.

Symptoms identifying thyroid disease

Early recognition of symptoms is key to timely diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. Here are the signs you need to look out for:

• Changes in the neck area:An enlarged neck or the appearance of an abnormal lump. This could be a sign of goiter, thyroid nodules, or thyroid cancer.
• Sudden weight change:Sudden weight changes, either gain or loss, without a clear cause. Uncontrolled weight gain is common in hypothyroidism, while sudden weight loss is a sign of hyperthyroidism.
• Fatigue and mood changes:Constant fatigue, sluggishness, lack of energy. Mood swings, irritability, anxiety (hyperthyroidism) or depression, apathy (hypothyroidism). Sleep disorders, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much.
• Changes in skin, hair, and nails:Dry skin, dry and brittle hair, brittle and fragile nails.
• Muscle and joint aches and pains:Muscle aches, muscle weakness, joint pain, especially in people with hypothyroidism.
• Menstrual disorders in women:Irregular menstruation, changes in menstrual flow, or amenorrhea.
• Heart rate changes:Rapid heartbeat, anxiety, palpitations (hyperthyroidism) or slow heart rate (hypothyroidism).
• Changes in body temperature:Sensitive to cold (hypothyroidism) or feeling hot, sweating a lot (hyperthyroidism).

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially a combination of multiple symptoms, seek examination and accurate diagnosis at reputable medical facilities such as Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) or the National Hospital of Endocrinology.

Individuals at high risk for thyroid disease

Some groups are at a higher risk of developing thyroid diseases than others:

• Gender:Women have a significantly higher incidence of thyroid diseases than men, estimated to be 5-8 times greater. This may be related to hormonal factors and autoimmune diseases.
• Age:The risk of thyroid disease tends to increase with age, especially after 50.
• Family history:If a family member (parents, siblings) has a thyroid disease (especially autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's or Graves'), you also have a higher risk.
• History of autoimmune disease:People with other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus are at high risk of developing autoimmune thyroid diseases.
• Iodine deficiency:Although the addition of iodine to table salt has significantly reduced the prevalence of goiter and hypothyroidism due to iodine deficiency in Vietnam, people living in areas with low iodine content in soil and water are still at risk.
• Radiation exposure:People who have been exposed to high doses of radiation (for example, cancer treatment with radiation therapy to the neck area) have a high risk of developing thyroid cancer.
• Using some types of medicine:Some drugs such as Lithium, Amiodarone can affect thyroid function.

Regular check-ups, especially blood tests to measure TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) levels, can help detect thyroid problems early. In Vietnam, many clinics and hospitals offer general health check-up packages that include thyroid function tests, with costs ranging from 500,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND depending on the number of tests.

Conclusion

UnderstoodWhat is thyroid disease, types of diseases, symptoms, and risks help us be more proactive in protecting our health. The thyroid gland plays a vital role in the body, and any disorder can seriously affect the quality of life. Do not hesitate to visit a doctor if you have any concerns about your thyroid health. Early detection and timely treatment are key factors in controlling the disease effectively and maintaining a healthy life.

For reference only. Please consult a doctor for the most accurate advice and diagnosis.