Introduction Iodine is a trace element that humans can only take in through food. The daily iodine requirement of a person is between 150 and 200 micrograms. In Germany, there is relatively little iodine in the groundwater and soil, so there is a natural iodine deficiency. 99% of the iodine ingested is used by the … Iodine deficiency
Causes Since iodine cannot be produced by the body itself, it must be taken in with food. An iodine deficiency is therefore the consequence of having taken in less iodine with food than the body actually needs. In Germany there is relatively little iodine in the groundwater and in the soil, so there is a … Causes | Iodine deficiency
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy During pregnancy and lactation the need for iodine is increased because the mother’s body has to supply not only itself but also the unborn or newborn with sufficient iodine. In pregnancy and lactation it is more difficult to take up sufficient iodine through food because of the increased iodine requirement. Pregnant … Iodine deficiency during pregnancy | Iodine deficiency
Hair loss due to iodine deficiency The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are important for many different metabolic processes in the body. Among other things, they control the metabolism of the connective tissue, including hair.An underfunction of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency can lead to dry and brittle hair and increased hair loss. … Hair loss due to iodine deficiency | Iodine deficiency
The goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) is a symptom and not a disease. Therefore, the therapy depends on the underlying cause of the thyroid enlargement. There are a number of factors that must be taken into account. The subjective complaints, the degree of struma, the result of the examinations, the age, the general condition … Therapy of the struma
Surgical therapy Surgery of the thyroid gland is always necessary if the other therapeutic options do not show success or cannot be applied. The “cold” nodules are suspected of being cancerous until proven otherwise, unless they have shown up as cysts in the ultrasound examination. Such nodes are therefore almost always operated on. Most of … Surgical therapy | Therapy of the struma
The symptoms of goiter/thyroid enlargement differ with the different causes of thyroid enlargement. The symptoms can occur alone or in different combinations. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) leads to Tachycardia Heat sensation Diarrhea Dry hair Excitability and Weight loss despite increased appetite The autoimmune-induced hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease) can lead in particular to the protrusion of the … Symptoms of goiter
Synonyms in a broader sense Goiter Thyroid enlargement Enlargement of the thyroid gland Parathyroid gland Nodular goiter Multinodular goiter Definition goiter The term “struma” (from the lat. struma “glandular swelling”, pl. strumae) or goiter denotes an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The struma has an essential cause in an iodine deficiency, therefore the struma is … Goiter
Symptoms A small goiter or lump rarely causes local discomfort or noticeable symptoms and is often a chance finding during a routine medical examination. For example, a conspicuous blood value or an ultrasound examination can reveal a nodose goiter. In rare cases, the goiter is so advanced that the enlargement itself causes mechanical complications. For … Symptoms | Goiter
Therapy When treating goiter, the exact cause and origin must first be clarified. Thus, for example, a therapy of diffuse goiter and nodosa goiter differs significantly. In principle, there are 3 main therapy options known today: 1) Drug therapy Iodine deficiency is known as the most important cause (over 90%) for the development of the … Therapy | Goiter
Prophylaxis goiter The iodine-enriched table salt has contributed to a decrease in the frequency of struma in recent years.Due to the extreme spread of iodine deficiency in the Alpine region, Switzerland has decided to enrich its drinking water with iodine. This measure has enormously reduced the occurrence of goiter there. However, patients suffering from hyperthyroidism … Prophylaxis goiter | Goiter
