Subclinical thyrotoxicosis: causes and treatment

Any deviation in the thyroid gland affects the amount of hormones produced. The resulting imbalance can lead to the development of a disease such as subclinical hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of the pathological process, causes and basic methods of treatment will be discussed in this article.

How does the disease come about?

The subclinical form of thyrotoxicosis is diagnosed by the results of blood tests. Reduction of thyroid - stimulating hormone (TSH) at normal thyroid hormones (T3, T4) allows to speak about the presence of the disease. All processes in the body are interrelated. With the help of TTG, the pituitary gland acts on the thyroid gland and controls its functioning. If the gland begins to produce more hormones, TSH decreases. The pituitary gland captures the increase in T3 and T4. In response, it reduces the release of its own hormones. Such a clinical picture fully characterizes the pathological process.

The causes of subclinical thyrotoxicosis

The disease is most often diagnosed in women aged 18 to 45 years. In case of serious disorders, the early onset of the pathological process is not ruled out. All the causes of thyrotoxicosis doctors are divided into internal and external. Among the first can be attributed:

• Postpartum hormonal reorganization;
• Adenoma of thyroid gland;
• Basedov's disease (diffuse-toxic goiter).

Subclinical thyrotoxicosis in mild form can occur when taking medications (external causes). Speaking about the influence of medicines, specialists often cite the example of "L-thyroxine". It is prescribed after resection of the thyroid gland or a decrease in its functional activity. The development of the disease is also promoted by drugs used to treat thyroiditis (Alfa-interferon, iodine).

Who is at risk?

Having studied the results of numerous studies, specialists were able to identify a group of patients with a high risk of pathology. It includes:

• People whose relatives have a history of thyroid disease;
• Patients with diabetes mellitus;
• Patients with autoimmune pathologies.

Matching one or more of the items on this list increases the likelihood of developing subclinical hyperthyroidism. Patients at risk are encouraged to undergo periodic examinations to identify the disease at an early stage.

The first symptoms of the disease

Literally the term "subclinical" is translated as "before the onset of symptoms". Therefore, manifestations of this pathology are not sufficiently expressed or completely absent. Nevertheless, subclinical hyperthyroidism can cause changes in the operation of the following systems:

• Cardiovascular;
• Nervous;
• Digestive.

Patients with such a diagnosis in the history often have attacks of tachycardia. At rest, the heart rate can reach 100 beats per minute. At any physical exertion, palpitation becomes more frequent, sweating increases, dyspnea appears. Such reactions of the body are caused by the tone of the sympathetic NA. For the same reason, patients complain of frequent increases in blood pressure, gradually turning into arterial hypertension.

From the side of the central nervous system symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the form of insomnia, bad mood and high level of excitability. Patients can wake up several times a night. However, sleep disturbance does not affect the performance of a person. The subclinical form of thyrotoxicosis is characterized by a frequent change of mood. The disease does not affect the mental faculties, but the decrease in concentration and perseverance is clearly traced.

On the part of the digestive tract, there is an increase in intestinal peristalsis and upset of the stool. The patient is constantly experiencing a feeling of hunger, so often eats a lot, but does not recover. Weight gain is observed in isolated cases. Specific therapy of abnormalities in the work of the digestive tract is not carried out.

Methods of diagnosis

Timely detected subclinical thyrotoxicosis is the key to successful treatment. Lack of adequate therapy can lead to the development of osteoporosis, ischemia, senile dementia and other unpleasant pathologies. What methods exist for diagnosing the disease?

When there are certain symptoms indicating a thyrotoxicosis, it is worth to contact the endocrinologist. After examination and examination of the history, the specialist directs the patient for further examination. It includes ultrasound of the gland, blood test and ECG. For the pathological process, a decrease in the level of TSH is typical for normal T4 and T3 indices. The ECG usually shows tachycardia. Based on the results of ultrasound, the doctor prescribes treatment and finally confirms the diagnosis of "subclinical thyrotoxicosis".

Treatment with medication

Therapeutic measures in this disease are aimed at normalizing the activity of the gland. The standard treatment scheme implies the appointment of medications based on thiamazole and propylthiouracil. Drugs directly affect the iron, blocking its functions. Dosage and duration of drug intake are selected individually. After the improvement of the patient's condition from the treatment scheme go to the supporting option.

In most cases, patients are prescribed glucocorticosteroid hormones, the dosage of which is also adjusted. A certain role in the selection of the therapy scheme is played by the age of the patient, the stage of the disease. Treatment with radioactive iodine is considered one of the most effective methods to combat excessive gland activity. This method also helps to avoid resection of the organ. Radioiodine therapy (RJT) is that the patient takes a capsule or a liquid with radioactive iodine for a certain time. Getting into the body, the substance begins to accumulate slowly in the cells of the thyroid gland. Later they die, replaced by elements of connective tissue. Subclinical thyrotoxicosis after RJT is often complicated by hypothyroidism. The main reason is the incorrectly chosen treatment regimen. In identifying this ailment, patients are prescribed lifelong replacement therapy with hormones.

If the disease does not progress and does not cause serious disturbances in the functioning of the body, doctors prefer to adhere to expectant tactics. Subclinical thyrotoxicosis during pregnancy also does not require medical treatment. Since the disease usually regresses in the second trimester and does not affect the condition of the fetus, the use of thyreostatics is not justified. After the appearance of the baby, a full diagnostic examination is required if the work of the thyroid gland is not normalized.

Recipes of folk healers

With subclinical thyrotoxicosis, it is possible to use folk remedies as a supplement to the main therapy. The popular prescriptions of the healers are aimed primarily at eliminating the symptoms of ailment. For example, the disease is often accompanied by a digestive disorder. To normalize the work of the digestive tract, it is recommended to eat about 100 grams of raw beet daily.

In the disorders of the central nervous system helps valerian. To prepare the product you need 2 tablespoons of dry herb pour 4 cups of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes. After this, the resulting mixture must be insisted for another 30 minutes, then strain. The drug is recommended to take 100 g three times a day.

In case of heart problems, hawthorn infusion will help. It will take a tablespoon of raw material to pour 200 ml of boiling water. Insist hawthorn is better in the thermos. Folk healers are advised to take a medication for 4 tablespoons daily. The course duration is 3 weeks. After that, you need to take a break for 14 days and resume your appointment.

Features of the disease in children

Screening studies, which are used in most maternity hospitals, can diagnose subclinical hyperthyroidism immediately after the birth of a child. Among the main symptoms of the disease can be noted:

• Hoarse scream;
• Low temperature;
• Jaundice;
• Severe swelling of the face;
• Increased dryness of the skin.

However, most often the parents learn about the presence of the pathological process in a few years. Treatment involves a comprehensive approach and is based on the intake of synthetic thyroid hormones. Drugs are selected individually, taking into account the patient's age and weight.

Untreated timely disease can lead to unpleasant consequences. Subclinical thyrotoxicosis negatively affects the formation of the child's bone structure, its mental development. Sometimes there are problems with eyesight. Late treatment can cause problems with the overall development of the baby. Therefore, doctors recommend that you periodically undergo a complete examination to identify the disease at an early stage.

Let's sum up the results

The imbalance of hormones in the body is often the cause of serious health problems. Subclinical form of thyrotoxicosis does not have pronounced signs. Manifestations of the disease are associated with the defeat of a particular body system (nervous, cardiovascular or digestive). To timely diagnose pathology, doctors recommend to undergo a comprehensive examination periodically. About problems with health in the first place signals a blood test for hormones. What kind of doctors suggest treatment for the diagnosis of "subclinical thyrotoxicosis"? The responses of most patients suggest that hormonal therapy is most effective. Specific preventive measures have not been developed.