Dry skin can be a sign of goiter, but beware!

What is goiter disease? What are the symptoms of goiter disease? How is goiter disease treated? Experts warn! Can dry skin be a sign of goiter? Well why? Here are all the curious General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. We learned from Sarper Işıksel.

If you’re cold even on a summer day… 

Stating that thyroid diseases may occur due to iodine deficiency, familial tendency and individual characteristics arising from daily life conditions, General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Sarper Işıksel, fatigue, weakness, constipation, feeling cold even in summer, loss of desire to work, He stated that there are hair loss, nail breakage, skin dryness, and that these symptoms may be the harbinger of goiter.

If the thyroid tissue is larger than usual…

When goiter is mentioned, it is generally understood that the thyroid tissue is larger than usual, but this is not always the case. The size of the tissue varies according to age, gender, and iodine measurements taken. In fact, the size of the thyroid tissue can be different according to societies and regions.

The use of iodized salt has been considered for the needs of the thyroid tissue, and the production and use of iodized salt has been encouraged and supplemented with substances by the Ministry of Health. Everyone knows that iodized salt is useful, but does not know what its benefits are. Iodized salt should definitely be used, especially in children’s ages. Goiter, which means diseases of the thyroid tissue, is examined in two groups. In the first cluster, there is an endemic goiter resulting from iodine deficiency. In our country; In regions such as the Black Sea Region, Uşak and Ödemiş, there is this type of goiter that can sometimes be seen in a whole village population. Iodine levels in soil and water are very low here, which causes goiter. In the second cluster, there is a sporadic, that is, nondemic goiter. Iodine deficiency is not the subject of words in this type of goiter.

EXAMINED IN 3 CLUTS AGAINST HORMONE LEVEL

Thyroid tissue mainly secretes two hormones called triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These are also known as T3 and T4. Here, goiter is examined in three clusters according to these hormone levels. In the first cluster, there are goiters with normal levels of T3 and T4 secretion. Goiters that secrete hormones at the usual level do not cause any complaints except swelling in the length of the patients. These are called hyperthyroidism. It is popularly known as “poisonous goiter”. However, it is customary that this goiter is not poisonous, it is only a nickname. It has nothing to do with cancer either. The reason why it is called toxic is that it gives very striking complaints such as palpitation, weight loss, finitude, drooling in the eyes, trembling in the hands, menstrual irregularity, which disturbs the patient very much. Hyperthyroidism is treated with medication and surgery. Patients may need long-term drug therapy to bring their hormone levels back to normal before surgery. In the third cluster, there are goiters that secrete less hormone. Goiters that secrete less hormones are called hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 levels are found to be low in these patients.

If the treatment is left unattended, the disease will be permanent.

Noting that adults who secrete less hormone from the thyroid tissue, fatigue, weakness, constipation, feeling cold even in summer, loss of desire to work, hair loss, nail breakage, and dry skin, Dr. Sarper Işıksel said, “The appetite has decreased a lot, but there is weight gain. This weight gain is due to the accumulation of water in the body. The voice becomes thicker, a progressive deafness may develop. The treatment of hypothyroidism is purely drugs. When the missing thyroid hormone is given to the patient in the form of medicine, the patient quickly recovers and completely returns to normal. Hypothyroidism, which occurs in infants and childhood, leads to growth and developmental retardation and even mental retardation, and there may be deafness and dumbness. If treatment is delayed, infants and children do not improve and the disease becomes permanent. That’s why, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, compulsory blood tests for hypothyroidism are performed on newborn babies in all hospitals.

Increasing incidence of cancer

As we have brought to the language many times, there are dozens of types of goiter. All of them have different characteristics, diagnostic methods and treatments. Some are treated with medication, some with surgery, some with radioactive matters. Therefore, when goiter is mentioned, it should be known which medicine it is, and if it is not known, it should be investigated. Likewise, thyroid cancer does not mean much. There are many types of thyroid cancer. And different methods are applied in the treatment of all of them. However, as in all cancers, the first treatment option in thyroid cancer is surgery. Surgery is the gold standard in cancer. Today, the standard trend in thyroid surgeries is to remove all thyroid tissue and to use thyroid hormone for longevity. Thyroid cancers are thought to be goiter for many years, but they are diagnosed with detailed examinations or surgery. Therefore, everyone with a goiter is at risk of cancer and should definitely be under medical supervision.

Source: Mahmure