Diffuse thyroid enlargement

Diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland is actually an autoimmune disease, which is a comprehensive disease of multiple systems. The onset of diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland will have a great impact on the patient's physical and mental health. If not treated in time, it may even be fatal. Therefore, it is very important for modern people to prevent and treat diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland. Only by doing a good job of preventive health care can the harm of this disease be minimized.

Toxic diffuse goiter (Graves' disease) is an autoimmune disease whose clinical manifestations are not limited to the thyroid gland, but is a multi-system syndrome, including: hypermetabolic syndrome, diffuse goiter, eye signs, skin lesions and thyroid acromegaly. Since most patients have both hypermetabolism and thyroid enlargement, it is called toxic diffuse goiter, also known as Graves' disease. The manifestations outside the thyroid gland are infiltrative endocrine exophthalmos, which can exist alone without hypermetabolism.

Causes

Although Graves' disease has been continuously explored in recent decades, including clinical and experimental studies, there is still no definite explanation for its occurrence, but there are some clearer explanations.

1. Genetic factors

Genetic factors are the cause of the disease recognized by most people, which shows that Graves' disease is closely related to genetic genes. It is common to see cases of the disease occurring successively in a family, and most of them occur in women. Approximately 15% of patients have a clear genetic predisposition to Graves' disease. About half of the patient's relatives have thyroid autoantibodies in their blood. The occurrence of hyperthyroidism is significantly correlated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA class II antigen), and its detection rate varies among different races. Chinese people are clearly associated with HLA-H46. In addition to HLA genes, there are also non-HLA genes.

2. Psychological trauma

Mental overexcitement or excessive depression caused by various reasons can lead to excessive secretion of thyroid hormones. The mechanism may be that the secretion of adrenal cortex hormones increases sharply under high stress, thereby changing the function of suppressor T lymphocytes (Ts) or helper T lymphocytes (Th) and enhancing the immune response.

3. Immune system abnormalities

T lymphocytes react to antigens in the thyroid gland, stimulating B lymphocytes to produce antibodies against these antigens. T cells play an important role in hyperthyroidism. [1]

Clinical manifestations

1. Neurological symptoms

The patient is easily excited and mentally sensitive. There are fine tremors when the tongue and two hands are raised and extended forward. He is talkative, hyperactive, insomniac, nervous, unable to concentrate, anxious, irritable, suspicious, etc. He sometimes has hallucinations. Some are manic, but some are taciturn and depressed. The patient's tendon reflexes are active and the reflex time is shortened.

2. Hypermetabolic syndrome

Patients with toxic diffuse goiter are afraid of heat, sweat a lot, and have rosy and sweaty skin, palms, face, neck, and armpits. Low fever is common, and high fever may occur during a crisis. Patients often have tachycardia, palpitations, and a significantly increased appetite, but also weight loss and fatigue.

3. Goiter

Most patients present with thyroid enlargement as their main complaint. The thyroid gland is diffusely and symmetrically enlarged, soft in texture, and moves up and down when swallowing. In a few patients, the thyroid gland enlarges asymmetrically or is significantly enlarged. Due to the increase in blood flow to the thyroid gland, vascular murmurs and palpable thrills can be heard on the outer sides of the upper and lower lobes, especially in the upper part of the gland.

In general, the harm of diffuse enlargement of the thyroid is very serious. The above is a brief introduction to the causes and symptoms of diffuse enlargement of the thyroid. Finally, I would like to remind you that if you find yourself having the above symptoms in your daily life, it is best to go to the hospital to check whether you have diffuse enlargement of the thyroid and then undergo thorough treatment.