AIT of the thyroid gland

Autoimmune thyroiditis, or, as it is also called, AIT of the thyroid gland is a chronic disease that is accompanied by immune inflammation of the glandular tissue with its gradual destruction. Statistics show that AIT is much more often diagnosed among women than in males. Most often it develops after the onset of 40 years, although with hereditary form of the disease, its development can begin even in childhood.

Thyroid gland: causes

Most patients have a genetic predisposition to developing such a disease. But even if there is a hereditary factor, the disease may not manifest itself. And the following factors can provoke AIT:

- previously suffered severe infectious disease, mainly of viral origin;

- the presence of foci of chronic inflammation (eg, chronic tonsillitis);

- poor environmental conditions;

- severe mental trauma;

- radiation exposure;

- improper intake of hormonal drugs, as well as iodine supplements.

Separately it is worth mentioning and AIT of the thyroid gland, which develops after pregnancy. It is this form of the disease that occurs most often. Its development is associated with the activation of the immune system, which is greatly weakened for the time of gestation.

AIT of the thyroid gland: symptoms

Such a disease is rather difficult to detect, since the first phases of its development take place with practically no visible symptoms. Only in rare cases, there is a temporary increase in the size of the thyroid gland, which is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the throat. The patient can feel weakness, pain in the joints.

As the destruction of the gland tissue begins to manifest symptoms of hypothyroidism - the skin loses its elasticity, nails and hair become dull and brittle. A person can feel dryness in the mouth, especially in the morning. The chair is broken. Women have malfunctions of the menstrual cycle. Men complain about a strong decrease in sexual desire and even partial impotence. In the absence of treatment, the AIT of the thyroid gland passes into hypothyroidism.

AIT of the thyroid gland: diagnostic methods

In fact, it is difficult to diagnose the disease in the early stages, since no changes in the body are bothering the person yet. Therefore, if you have a hereditary disease in your family, you should regularly undergo a special examination.

For the beginning the patient needs to hand over some analyzes. An increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood will indicate the presence of latent inflammation. In addition, an analysis is carried out for the presence of antibodies to thyroid hormones in the blood, and the amount of thyroid hormones is determined. With the help of ultrasound, changes in the size or structure of the gland can be detected. If necessary, a biopsy is prescribed - mainly in those cases when there is a risk of formation of a malignant tumor.

AIT of the thyroid gland: treatment

Methods of treatment depend on the age of the patient, the phase of the development of the disease, and the presence of concomitant diseases. Unfortunately, in modern endocrinology the exact strategy of treatment has not been worked out yet.

The most commonly used drugs that contain the synthesized hormones of the thyroid gland. If AIT is accompanied by other inflammatory diseases, the patient is given glucocorticoids. In some cases, methods of immunotherapy are also used, since the strengthening of immunity has a positive effect on the process of restoring health. In more severe cases, which are accompanied by a strong increase in the volume of the gland or the formation of cysts, can also conduct surgical removal of the thyroid gland.

The prognosis for patients with this diagnosis is quite favorable, since after the treatment course all the symptoms disappear. Nevertheless, such patients should be under constant supervision of a doctor - this will give an opportunity to notice the onset of a relapse in time.