Excess weight and a bad mood are always problems with the thyroid gland, iodine can and should be taken by absolutely everyone, and knots on the thyroid gland are dangerous! We encounter these and other popular myths on a regular basis. Where is the truth and where is the delusion? surgeon-endocrinologist, oncologist, candidate of medical sciences Victor Makaryin.
Myth 1. Everyone needs iodine
In fact: iodine-containing drugs should be drunk as directed by a doctor. According to clinical recommendations, we prescribe them to children and pregnant women. In addition, you need to be careful about dietary supplements. In them, the concentration of substances is usually unknown. In particular, we do not know how much iodine is there. If it turns out that it is there in excess, this can lead to a damaging effect and poor functioning of the thyroid gland.
Nevertheless, we should not forget that in our country there is a problem of iodine deficiency, this is confirmed by studies of the Endocrinological Research Center. Its experts revealed that the deficit is highest in the regions that suffered from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant: Bryansk, Tula, Kaluga, Oryol. Also, a pronounced shortage was found in the Tyumen region, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Yakutia, the Republic of Tyva and Siberia. Therefore, if you want to know whether you need to take iodine and in what quantity, consult a doctor, he will determine the exact dosage.
Myth 2. A weight problem always indicates a lack of iodine in the body.
In fact: Often, patients attribute overweight problems to thyroid disease. But these are not always related things. Of course, there is the problem of hypothyroidism, when people are overweight and at the same time do not have enough hormones produced by the thyroid gland. However, this disease is not very common, it affects about 5% of the world’s population. At the same time, in addition to being overweight, patients have other symptoms: fatigue, lack of concentration, depression, menstrual irregularities in women. It is impossible to self-diagnose the disease. If you think that you may be suffering from hypothyroidism, contact a qualified specialist and get tested.
Myth 3. Thyroid antibodies are a reason for treatment.
In fact: Antibodies in our body are produced by the immune system to neutralize foreign objects. However, there are also autoimmune diseases in which antibodies begin to fight thyroid cells: antibodies to thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) and antibodies to thyroglobulin (anti-TG). But do not sound the alarm ahead of time: this may be a variant of the norm – antibodies can also be in absolutely healthy people. They should not be treated or attempted to be removed from the body. How much the presence of antibodies affects the function of the thyroid gland and whether there is a danger, only the doctor will determine.
Myth 4. An autoimmune protocol will help eliminate thyroid antibodies.
In fact: The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a popular diet that bans alcohol, coffee, dairy, soy, canned foods, and other foods. Marketers often recommend it for autoimmune thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and lack of thyroid hormones as a result of inflammation, selling ready-made food kits. But remember: this is just a publicity stunt: in no way will nutrition help to remove antibodies. In addition, as I said, in most patients with elevated antibodies, this diagnosis does not require treatment at all.
Myth 5. Thyroid nodules are always dangerous.
In fact: this is not true. Nodules are a fairly common phenomenon, about 70% of people in the world are diagnosed with their presence. To determine if they are dangerous, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound and, if necessary, a biopsy. Upon completion of the diagnosis, the specialist decides whether the nodes should be operated on, treated with medication, or it is enough to observe them, since they do not pose a danger.
Myth 6. Benign neoplasms can develop into malignant ones.
In fact: this is not true, nodes or cysts can be either benign or malignant. One cannot become the other. In order to determine the nature of the formation, a puncture is made and a sample is taken for research. This occurs in cases where the diameter of the neoplasm is more than 1 cm and has signs of a malignant tumor.
Myth 7. A bad mood is always a problem with the thyroid gland.
In fact: there is such a disease as thyrotoxicosis, it occurs when the amount of thyroid hormones in the blood increases. According to psychiatrists, this affects mood, causes serious disorders, such as depression. However, this is a very exclusive syndrome that is rare, so do not rush to diagnose it yourself. If you have any suspicions, see your doctor.
Thyroid disease can be caused by iodine deficiency, exposure to radiation, or genetic predisposition – there are many reasons. If you think that you have such problems, you should not self-medicate and look for information on the Web. It is better to consult a specialist. Remember: only a qualified doctor can conduct a high-quality diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe the treatment that is right for you.
There are contraindications, you need to consult a specialist