Painless examination of the gland that affects the functioning of the whole organism
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located on the lower part of the neck. It is located under the larynx and in front of the trachea. The thyroid gland is an energy gland and affects many functions in our body, which is why it is sometimes called the guardian of the whole organism.
Thyroid disorders are one of the most common diseases of modern man. Approximately 200 million people in the world suffers from some thyroid disorder. The most common thyroid disease is thyroid nodules. Risk of occurrence nodes of the thyroid gland increases with age, Every 4th elderly woman has a nodule in the thyroid gland. .
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is one of the main diagnostic methods in detecting nodules on the thyroid gland.
In addition to thyroid nodules, thyroid ultrasound can detect cysts and tumors on the thyroid gland, see if the thyroid gland is swollen, inspect thickenings and nodules found during a routine examination, and monitor the thyroid gland that secretes too much or too little hormone.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is a simple and minimally unpleasant examination for the patient that does not require special preparation, and has great preventive significance. It is extremely important for early diagnosis thyroid cancer, which is often accidentally detected during an ultrasound examination.
The examination is performed using an ultrasound machine. Using high-frequency sound waves, the thyroid area in the neck is examined, and an image of the thyroid gland is displayed on the screen.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland is completely painless and harmless (no radio waves are used during the examination).
Thyroid ultrasound is performed in 4 simple steps:
Our doctor – a specialist in endocrinology will examine the appearance of the thyroid gland through the resulting image on the screen. During ultrasound of the thyroid gland can be seen The appearance and structure of the left and right lobes of the thyroid gland and the middle part of the thyroid gland called the isthmus.
With the help of thyroid ultrasound, the size, restriction and structure of the nodules that were detected during a routine clinical examination can also be monitored.
You can find knots that are larger, but are located on the back, as well as smaller knots of only a few millimeters that cannot be felt to the touch.
An ultrasound of the thyroid gland takes about 15 minutes, but talking to the patient and writing the results can take longer.
One of the advantages of ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is that this non-invasive examination does not require special preparation in the form of control of food and fluid intake or the like.
It is necessary to come to the thyroid ultrasound in comfortable clothes and make sure that the clothes do not cover your neck. It is also necessary to remove necklaces or other jewelry that could be a hindrance during inspection.
Be sure to take all the related medical documentation you have with you and communicate with your doctor if you are taking therapy related to thyroid diseases or have cases of thyroid disorders in the family.
The occurrence of thyroid disease is very frequent. After diabetes, thyroid diseases are the most common endocrine disorder and a global problem that affects the quality of life of those affected.
Fortunately, thyroid disorders are mostly harmless and successfully treated with appropriate therapy.
Of course, as with other diseases, early detection is a prerequisite, so it is extremely important to act preventively, that is, to regularly control hormones and perform ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland secretes the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which manage all metabolic functions of the body, and are also responsible for heat regulation.
Thyroid hormones They are crucial for the growth and development of the brain and bones of the fetus and young child. If there is a lack of thyroid hormones during the early development of the child, it can cause difficulties in growth and cognitive development.
The thyroid gland affects the functioning of all organs, it is responsible for regulating body temperature, maintaining the normal activity of the respiratory center, controlling energy and oxygen consumption.
Thyroid hormones also affect heart function, increase intestinal motility, participate in bone building and the regulation of sugar and fats in the blood.
Disorders in the function of the thyroid gland are called hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism. They occur when the thyroid gland secretes too much or too little hormone, which negatively affects normal metabolic functions.
The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, i.e. reduced secretion of thyroid hormones.
Possible causes are an enlarged thyroid, a thyroid tumor, a large hyperfunctional thyroid nodule that sends signals to the gland for increased hormone production.
Goiter often occurs in the elderly, the so-called goiter. It is an enlargement of the thyroid gland that is visible as the appearance of a protruding formation on the neck. It can be a consequence of the development of nodules in the thyroid gland, so a nodular goiter is formed. The occurrence of goiter is influenced by genetic predisposition and insufficient iodine intake.
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant disease of the endocrine system. In the past 15 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of new cases of thyroid cancer.
According to the latest estimates of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, women make up almost 80% of thyroid cancer patients. It can occur at any age, in women it occurs more often from the age of 40 to 50, and in men it is more common from the age of 60 to 70.
Despite the fact that it is more common in the middle-aged and older population, thyroid cancer can occur at any age, even in children.
The most common type of thyroid cancer is papillary carcinoma which has an extremely good prognosis and is successfully treated. As with any cancer, it’s important to detect it on time.
Thyroid tumors are successfully detected during thyroid ultrasound. Through an ultrasound examination, the doctor can notice changes in the function, appearance and size of the thyroid gland that occur when a tumor appears.
Thyroid ultrasound is recommended to be performed at least once a year for the purpose of prevention. Sometimes it is during a regular examination that structural changes are found, due to which further diagnostic tests are performed, such as measuring the level of thyroid hormones in the blood.
Iodine, a rare element in the solar system and in the Earth’s crust, plays a key role in the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. The rarity of iodine in the soil leads to iodine deficiency, which negatively affects many organisms, including humans.
Iodine deficiency is the main cause of mental retardation and threatens about 2 billion people in the world. Also causes goiter, which affects more than 700 million people.
Iodine participates in the construction of thyroid hormones and thus affects its normal functioning. Given that thyroid hormones regulate all metabolic processes in the body, adequate iodine intake is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of this gland.
The World Health Organization has issued a recommendation for daily intake of iodine depending on age:
The problem of iodine deficiency can be regulated by iodine intake through certain foods and the use of iodized salt. Iodized salt is the main source of this essential element for the majority of the world’s population.
In Croatia, throughout history, iodine deficiency in food has caused endemic goiter in Slavonia and Lika, and most importantly in the village of Rude near Zagreb. Since 1953, mandatory iodization of salt has been introduced in Croatia.
Of the foods that contain significant amounts of iodine, dairy products, eggs, sea fish, algae, shellfish, soybeans, sesame, garlic, chard, zucchini, beets and spinach are important. By including these foods in our diet, we will provide the thyroid gland with a sufficient amount of iodine and enable its normal functioning.
In addition to nutrition, preventive examinations play an important role in maintaining thyroid health.
Clinical examination, control of thyroid hormone levels and ultrasound of the thyroid gland are important to perform regularly, given that thyroid diseases affect all age groups. Although the occurrence of thyroid disease is significantly more common in women, a significant number of men also suffer from them.
Regular control of the thyroid gland is recommended for everyone over the age of 35 because even small changes in the function of the thyroid gland can cause disorders.
According to the recommendation of an endocrinologist, it would be good to perform a preventive ultrasound of the thyroid gland at least once a year. In the case of nodules on the thyroid gland or other growths, it is recommended to repeat the thyroid ultrasound every 6 to 12 months.
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are successfully treated with appropriate pharmacological therapy, while surgery is required to treat tumors and goiter . In the case of early detection of thyroid disease, the prognosis is positive in most cases.
Thyroid ultrasound is a painless and non-invasive examination that can be performed quickly and without discomfort at the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic.
The main goal of the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top health services. In our multidisciplinary centers and specialist clinics, we have gathered top A team of experts and specialists to ensure high quality in all our services.
Thyroid ultrasound at the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic is performed by Kristina Kljajić, MD. specialist in internal medicine – diabetology and endocrinology. Dr. Kljajić will be happy to answer all your questions and concerns. In our At the Thyroid Center , we believe in the value of a good, quick diagnosis and offering a real, concrete and individual solution.
For consultations and ultrasound of the thyroid gland, you can make an appointment by calling +385 2444 646. Ordering is also possible via the online form on our website.
We will warmly welcome you at the premises of the Lohuis Filipović Polyclinic at Trg John Fitzgeralda Kennedya 6b, Zagreb. You can easily reach us by public transport, and parking is provided in front of the building with prior notice by phone.
Contact us with confidence and let us come up with the best solutions and answers to all your questions together.
