Modern Approaches to Thyroid Disease Treatment

Medical Advances in Thyroid Disease Treatment

Worldwide, technology in the field of medicine is advancing and science is introducing new treatment methods. With these treatment approaches, many diseases that people once accepted as their fate are now being treated, and fatal illnesses are no longer considered inevitable.

Turkey, closely following this technology and science, is keeping pace with the times and making progress in the medical field, while supporting the discoveries made by its trained scientists. Thanks to these efforts, Turkish doctors have taken major steps in preventing and treating many diseases.

Today, many diseases are being treated. One of these diseases is thyroid disease. Let us examine together the symptoms, causes, and treatment methods of this condition that seriously affects people's lives.

What is the Thyroid?

The word thyroid is derived from Latin, meaning shield in that language. It acquired this name because its shape resembles a shield. The thyroid glands are located in the neck, below the Adam's apple cartilage. While not visible from the outside in women, it is more prominent in men.

These glands secrete T3 and T4 hormones and play an important role in maintaining a person's health. These hormones are produced by the thyroid glands and sent into the bloodstream. Thanks to these hormones, a person's metabolism functions correctly and as required.

How Does the Thyroid Gland Work?

The healthy functioning of the thyroid glands, which hold an important place in the body, is a crucial condition for us. The working mechanism and benefits of the thyroid glands can be summarized as follows:

• Commands are sent from the pituitary gland, located in the brain, to the thyroid glands.
• These commands reach the thyroid glands through the bloodstream via TSH hormone.
• Upon receiving the command, the thyroid glands begin to secrete T3 and T4 hormones needed by the body.
• These hormones ensure that a person's metabolism functions properly and support the immune system.
• These hormones control heart rate, regulate body temperature balance, and convert consumed food into energy.
• The thyroid glands support the baby's brain and intellectual development during pregnancy and after birth.
• In adults, the thyroid glands regulate fats, sugars, and proteins in the body.

What Are Thyroid Gland Diseases?

The hormones secreted by the thyroid glands play a crucial role in the body, and when these become imbalanced, certain problems can arise.

When the thyroid glands produce excessive hormones, hyperthyroidism develops; when they produce insufficient hormones, hypothyroidism develops.

Hyperthyroidism causes the following conditions:

• Heart palpitations occur.
• High blood pressure develops.
• Excessive sweating occurs.
• The person experiences irritability.
• The person's skin becomes warm and moist.
• The person becomes intolerant to heat.
• Despite normal nutrition, the person fails to gain weight and experiences weight loss.
• Tremors occur in the person's hands.
• Hair problems develop, including breakage, weakening, and hair loss.
• Skin sensitivity and thinning occur.
• Prolonged diarrhea develops.
• Enlargement of the eyes occurs.
• The person becomes sensitive to bright lights.
• The person experiences sleep disturbances.
• The person experiences irregular menstrual cycles, either absent or excessive periods.
• The person develops goiter.

In addition to this disease, there is hypothyroidism, with symptoms that are completely opposite. The person experiences edema, weight gain, absence of menstruation, and general weakness.

What Are Benign Thyroid Diseases?

• Goiter: enlargement of the thyroid glands. This can occur in certain sections of the glands. These enlargements may be nodular in shape.
• Nodular Goiter: The nodular structure of thyroid glands that grow in a budlike manner is called a nodule. The structure of thyroid glands in this form changes and is named nodular goiter.
• Single Nodule Goiter: Develops when nodules formed in the thyroid glands are singular.
• Multinodular Goiter: In this type of goiter, multiple nodules are present.
• Substernal Goiter: In this form of goiter, the thyroid glands abnormally enlarge into the person's chest cavity.
• Toxic Goiter or Hyperthyroidism: Develops due to excessive hormone production by the thyroid glands.
• Thyroid Inflammation Diseases (Hashimoto): When this disease develops, the immune system identifies the inflamed thyroid glands as foreign matter, causing metabolic imbalances.

What Are Malignant Thyroid Diseases?

Thyroid cancer, which is treatable, develops. In some cases, only medication therapy is used; in other cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Who Gets Thyroid Disease?

• Individuals with thyroid disease in their family or relatives,
• People living in areas with low iodine in the soil,
• Consumption of iodine-free salt,
• Individuals exposed to radiation in any form,
• People taking medication groups containing lithium, interferon, and amiodarone are more prone to developing thyroid disease.

How Is a Thyroid Test Performed?

Early diagnosis is an important detail for every disease group. For this reason, individuals should undergo certain hormone tests to identify thyroid disease early.

Investigation of nodules in the thyroid gland is conducted through collaborative work of Endocrinology, Nuclear Medicine, Pathology, and Radiology. Nodules are examined using ultrasonographic imaging, and any cancer risk is assessed.

The nuclear medicine field compares hormone values. Radiologists and pathologists work with general surgeons to investigate cancer through biopsy.

What Is Iodine (Radioactive) Therapy?

This treatment, performed when a person's thyroid glands are overworking or when a person has undergone thyroid surgery, is among the most important and effective applications used in disease recovery and resolution. The treatment is conducted as follows:

• Radioactive iodine is administered to the person orally.
• This iodine is digested and absorbed by the intestines and stomach.
• The iodine distributed in the body is absorbed by the thyroid glands, supporting their normal function.

How Is Thyroid Surgery Performed?

With advancing technology, thyroid surgeries are performed either using robotic surgical methods or through a small incision along the neck line. It is of great importance that this surgery be performed by specialist and skilled doctors. This is because there is a risk of vocal cord damage during the surgery.

If the cancerous tissue in the thyroid gland is larger than 1 centimeter, all thyroid glands are removed.

In medullary cancer type, all thyroid tissue is removed regardless of tumor size.

In toxic goiter, all glands are removed considering the risk of disease recurrence.

How Long Does Thyroid Surgery Take?

This surgery, performed under general anesthesia, typically lasts approximately 1-1.5 hours. However, it would not be accurate to provide a definite duration considering the possible risks and complications that may occur during the surgery.

Thyroid Treatment Costs in Turkey

Thyroid disease treatment in Turkey is performed quickly and comfortably thanks to successful and experienced doctors. Hospitals are spacious, comfortable, and fully equipped.

The greatest risk in thyroid surgery is damaging the vocal cords while removing the thyroid glands. If your doctor is not experienced and specialized, this risk is high. However, if you have this treatment performed by specialist, experienced, and skilled doctors like those in Turkey, risks will be minimized.

During thyroid treatment in Turkey, all hospital personnel work to ensure your comfort. Smiling and helpful staff and doctors are among the reasons foreign patients choose Turkey for treatment.

Another reason for their preference is that treatments in Turkey are affordable. These prices vary depending on the disease type, stage, and treatment methods to be used. For this reason, you can contact us with all your questions and inquiries regarding treatment costs.

Sources Used:

https://www.medicana.com.tr/saglik-rehberi-detay/12006/tiroid-bezi-hastaliklari-nelerdir-ve-nasil-tedavi-edilir

https://www.dromerbender.com/tiroid-nodulleri-ne-zaman-ameliyat-edilir#:~:text=G%C3%BCn%C3%BCm%C3%BCzde%20tiroid%20ameliyatlar%C4%B1%20boyun%20%C3%A7izgisi,ile%20paratiroid%20dokular%C4%B1na%20zarar%20verilmemesidir.