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What is thyroid?

Our body has organs that secrete hormones, and these are called endocrine organs. These endocrine organs include the pituitary gland, which secretes various stimulating hormones, the pancreas, which secretes insulin, which is important for diabetes, and the adrenal gland, which secretes steroids. The thyroid gland is also an endocrine organ that produces and stores thyroid hormones and releases them into the blood when needed. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones and plays a role in maintaining the proper function of all organs in the human body. If the amount of hormone secreted is too much or too little, diseases such as hyperactivity or hypofunction may appear.

Thyroid hormones play a very important role.

Thyroid hormones play a role in maintaining the proper function of all organs by promoting metabolic processes in the human body. It also generates heat to maintain a constant body temperature and promotes the growth and development of the brain and bones of fetuses and newborns. When thyroid hormones increase, metabolism becomes active, the heart beats faster, the body becomes hot, sweating a lot, it becomes difficult to endure the heat, and weight loss occurs. Conversely, if thyroid hormones are lacking, not only will the body become lethargic and easily tired, but the body temperature will also drop below normal, making it difficult to withstand the cold. In normal people, the thyroid gland is located just below the thyroid cartilage called ‘Adam’s apple’ that protrudes at the front of the neck, between the bronchi and the muscles that go up to the ears. They are about the size of a thumb and are located on each side of the bronchi. They are connected by band-shaped tissue, making them look like butterflies. It is 4-5 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, and 2-3 cm thick, and the combined weight of the left and right thyroid glands and their connecting parts is about 15-20 g.

There are these types of thyroid diseases:

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine organ in the human body, and because it is located in the front of the neck, abnormalities in its shape can be easily detected by careful observation. If you feel under the thyroid cartilage, called the ‘Adam’s apple’, which protrudes at the front of the neck, you will see a ring-shaped cartilage, and the thyroid gland is located on the left and right of the lower bronchus. Look in front of the mirror with your chin slightly raised. You can see your thyroid gland rising and falling when you swallow saliva or drink water. At this time, you can find out whether the thyroid gland has enlarged by placing your finger on the thyroid area and observing it. The thyroid gland is invisible and cannot be felt, so if it becomes enlarged or is touched, you must see a specialist for a checkup. Thyroid diseases can be broadly divided into three categories: abnormalities in thyroid function, inflammation, and thyroid problems.

If there is a problem with the function

Diseases caused by abnormal thyroid function are divided into hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. As the name suggests, hyperactivity is a disease caused by too much thyroid hormone, and hypofunction is a disease in which the function of the thyroid gland decreases due to a lack of thyroid hormone.

If inflammation occurs

Thyroiditis is classified as chronic, painless, subacute, and acute, and thyroid function increases or decreases depending on when the disease is discovered.

If a problem occurs with the shape

Morphological abnormalities of the thyroid gland include simple goiter and multiple goiter. Simple goiter refers to a case where there is no abnormality in the function of the thyroid gland, but its size is larger than normal. Also, an enlarged part of the thyroid gland is called a nodule (hard, small nodule). Such nodules include thyroid cysts, malignant tumors, and benign tumors. If there are multiple nodules, it is called multiple goiter.

Classification of thyroid diseases

List of changes in functionality

Changes in function Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism

Changes in shape Enlargement of the thyroid gland Simple goiter

Nodular goiter Solitary nodular thyroid cyst Thyroid tumor (malignant or benign)

Multinodular multiple goiter

Thyroiditis Chronic thyroiditis Painless (postpartum) thyroiditis Subacute thyroiditis Acute purulent thyroiditis

Thyroid test, this is how it is done.

If an abnormality is found in the thyroid gland, the form and function of the thyroid gland are examined. First, thyroid scans, thyroid ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to diagnose the shape and size of the thyroid gland. If there is a nodule, thyroid tissue is collected with a thin needle and a cell test is performed. To determine the function of the thyroid gland, the concentration of thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood is tested, and to determine the cause of thyroid disease, a thyroid autoantibody test is performed.

thyroid scan

A test that uses radioactive isotopes to image the shape of the thyroid gland is called a thyroid scan. If there is a nodule in the thyroid gland, the function of the nodule area may disappear altogether or, conversely, the function may increase compared to the normal area. Areas where function is lost appear as black ‘cold nodules’, and when function increases, they appear as ‘hot nodules’ where the nodule area appears darker than the normal area. If a cold nodule is diagnosed, cytology and biopsy must be performed. In cases of hypothyroidism or subacute thyroiditis, the thyroid gland may not be visible on scan.

ultrasound examination

Ultrasound is used to observe the shape, size, and nature of nodules in the thyroid gland. In particular, if there is a thyroid nodule, it is possible to determine whether the contents of the nodule are solid or cystic, and it is useful for tracking changes in the size of the nodule after treatment. Even when conducting a cytology test, performing it under ultrasound guidance helps find the exact test site.

Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging

This test is used to monitor the progress of cancer during the treatment of thyroid cancer. It has the advantage of being able to see the tissue around the thyroid gland in detail.

Thyroid cytology and biopsy

Thyroid cytology is a test that involves aspirating cells using a thin needle, staining them, and observing them under a microscope. By aspirating and examining a sufficient amount of cells, it is possible to determine whether the nodule is benign or malignant. When a definite diagnosis cannot be made through cytology, a biopsy is performed.

Thyroid autoantibody test

Healthy people do not make antibodies against body components, but some patients may make antibodies against cellular components of their own body tissues. These are called autoantibodies. Among these autoantibodies, there are also thyroid autoantibodies, which attack thyroid cells and cause autoimmune thyroid disease. Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases are carried out in close cooperation between endocrinology and otolaryngology. Tests and drug treatment are mainly performed in the internal medicine department, and if surgical treatment is necessary, the patient is referred to the otolaryngology department. Even during hospitalization, the two departments share roles to ensure optimal treatment.

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