The thyroid is an endocrine gland, which secretes hormones, which, through the blood circulation, affect all the tissues and organs of the body.
Endocrine glands should not be confused with other glands, such as the salivary glands, which secrete saliva (saliva) into the oral cavity, or the lymph nodes, which do not secrete any substance, but ensure the body’s defense against external infections.
Other endocrine glands such as the pituitary, adrenal and parathyroid glands are less well known to the general public.
“The thyroid is arguably the most popular, prominent and ‘popular’ endocrine gland. Most people know it, especially women and not without reason, since more than 8 out of 10 thyroid disease sufferers belong to the female gender.
The normal thyroid gland is small and practically not palpable. It is located at the base of the neck, in the “dimple” formed by the upper edge of the sternum, the two clavicles laterally and the trachea behind.
In the majority of cases when someone feels “lumps” in the neck area with their fingers, it is not the thyroid but lymph nodes, ephemerally enlarged due to some inflammation of the pharynx or teeth”, points out Dr. Charilaos Kandiloros, Endocrinologist, Diabetologist, Nutritionist , Metropolitan General Scientific Associate – HealthSpot Diagnostic Centers.
Also, most of the time when one sees a swelling of the neck, it is not the thyroid that is responsible, but the subcutaneous fat in the context of incipient or established obesity.
But there is also a condition in which thyroid swelling occurs. This is called a goitre. Very often small and/or large tumors called nodules and nodules form inside the thyroid.
The gland becomes inhomogeneous, which is due to a chronic inflammation called thyroiditis, known by the name of the Japanese doctor Hashimoto. In addition to these “anatomical” anomalies there are also “functional” ones. The best known are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is very common but easily treatable. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is fortunately rare because its treatment is more complex. Many patients are afraid of it due to the fact that it is sometimes combined with “exophthalmos”, i.e. eye prolapse.
“Finally, very rarely, we also diagnose thyroid cancer. Fortunately, if the diagnosis is early, this cancer is completely curable and there is no fear of metastases.
The endocrinologist is the appropriate physician to examine the patient, to recommend the appropriate hematological and ultrasound examination and the treatment for any thyroid condition”, concludes Dr. Kandiloros.
Written by:
Dr Charilaos Kandiloros, Endocrinologist, Diabetologist, Nutritionist, Scientific associate Metropolitan General – diagnostic centers HealthSpot
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