The thyroid gland, although small in size, is one of the most vital glands of the body. Located in the anterior part of neck, it functions as body’s main metabolism regulator and holds numerous other physiological functions. Since it is so important, we have to know the diseases that may affect thyroid. This article focuses on 6 main thyroid problems in men. Let's get to know them now.
Thyroid disorders are common in men. As thyroid gland through thyroid hormone influence all metabolic process, any problem in normal functioning of thyroid gland will lead to multiple health issues. These disorders range from harmless goiter to life-threatening cancer. Most common is the abnormal production of thyroid hormone by this gland. Below are 6 main thyroid disorders in men.
Hyperthyroidism is one of the significant thyroid problems in men due to excessive production of the thyroid hormones, resulting in a tremendous increase in the body’s metabolic rate.
Symptoms may include:
Causes
It can be causes by a myriad of autoimmune diseases. The main causes are:
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis includes medical history, physical examination, blood tests, thyroid scan and radio iodine update.
Anti-thyroid medications and beta blockers are used to treat heart complications. Radioactive thyroid and thyroidectomy are also considered. Surgical approach is used to manage Graves' ophthalmopathy.
Hypothyroidism is the deficiency of the thyroid hormone in the body. This causes hormonal imbalance which disturbs many metabolic reactions in your body.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism are slow to appear and often mistaken for normal symptoms of aging. These include:
This is one of the thyroid problems in men where the symptoms worsen if the disease is not diagnosed and treated earlier.
Complications include goiter (enlarged thyroid gland due to relentless stimulation by thyroid stimulating hormone), heart and mental problems, peripheral neuropathy and myxedema.
Causes
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis should be done via blood tests to find out your levels of TSH and thyroid hormones.
Daily intake of artificially synthesized Thyroid hormone levothyroxine can give you some relief.
Thyroiditis is the inflammation of the thyroid gland with various subtypes, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis (autoimmune), Postpartum thyroiditis (post child birth), Subacute thyroiditis (viral cause), Drugs and radiation-induced thyroiditis, Acute thyroiditis (bacterial cause).
Thyroiditis symptoms differ according to whether the thyroid gland cell damage is slow or rapid in nature.
Causes
Thyroiditis is caused when thyroid is damaged as a result of attack due to infections or medicines. Inflammatory response of the body as a result of infection can damage thyroid cells. Autoimmune disease is another cause of thyroiditis.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis includes blood tests to check hormone levels and radioactive iodine uptake. Treatment depends on the type of thyroiditis you have:
Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps on the thyroid gland. Among all thyroid problems in men, this one is usually harmless and painless.
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctor will use ultrasound and thyroid scans to get a clearer image of the nodules; thyroid function tests to determine whether nodules produce hormones; and fine-needle aspiration biopsy to check for malignancies.
Thyroid hormone suppression therapy and radioactive iodine for hormone producing nodules and surgery for malignant and troublesome non-malignant nodules are suggested to treat the problem.
Goiter is one of the thyroid problems in men characterized by a large swelling underneath the Adam’s apple.
Symptoms of goiter include a visible swelling at the base of the neck, it is usually painless. When too large in size, a goiter can cause complications like tightness of throat, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, coughing and hoarseness.
Causes
Treatment
Thyroid cancer is the most dangerous condition of all thyroid problems in men.
Symptoms
Initially it is asymptomatic but symptoms appear such as swelling in the neck, swelling of neck lymph nodes and pain, hoarseness and difficulty breathing as well as swallowing.
Causes
Causes may include exposure to high levels of radiation and inherited genetic syndromes. There are 4 types of thyroid cancer, including:
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis: Bloods tests, thyroid gland biopsy, genetic testing and imaging techniques can help diagnose thyroid cancers.
Treatment of thyroid cancers can be surgical, such as thyroidectomy and lobectomy as well as removal of affected lymph nodes of the neck. Chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy as well as intense radioactive iodine treatments are also used to kill cancerous cells.