Palpation of the thyroid gland: rules and techniques

Palpation of the thyroid gland is the first stage of diagnosis, which makes it possible to detect the presence of the disease. With the help of such measures, the specialist determines the degree of the development of the disease, and then appoints further studies.

General information

Thyroid gland palpation is performed by all patients who have consulted an endocrinologist. Timely detection of certain diseases allows the specialist to prescribe conservative treatment so that a person does not have to resort to surgical intervention.

A little bit about the organ

What is the thyroid gland? According to experts, this is the endocrine gland that all vertebrates have. It stores iodine and produces iodine-containing hormones( iodothyronines), which take part in the growth of cells and the body as a whole, as well as in the regulation of metabolism.

Palpation of the thyroid gland is easy and simple. It is located in the neck in front of the trachea, under the larynx. Usually people have such an organ in the form of a butterfly.

Palpation of the thyroid gland. The degree of its increase

What is the procedure for? The fact is that many people suffer from the diseases of this organ. Such diseases can occur against a background of unchanged, increased or, conversely, decreased endocrine function. Occurring in certain territories, the shortage of iodine often leads to the development of cretinism and endemic goiter.

Palpation of the thyroid gland allows to identify the presence of a problem, and also to determine the degree of the disease:

0. The size of the organ under consideration at such a degree is natural. In this case, the thyroid gland is practically not palpable, and is not determined by visual inspection. By the way, in thin people during the examination this body can not be probed at all.

1. About this degree speak in the event that the patient has an isthmus in the patient when the first swallows.

2. At this stage, the isthmus becomes more prominent. In this case, the lobe of the gland is pronounced and greatly enlarged.

3. At this degree, both lobes of the thyroid gland are enlarged. Even with a visual examination of the patient, the doctor can easily notice the problem. After probing the organ, almost immediately all the existing thickenings are detected.

4. This stage is more serious. The enlargement of the thyroid gland becomes so noticeable that the so-called goiter begins to possess unnatural dimensions. Also, the gland is asymmetric, and the isthmus protrudes well. During the examination, the patient shows a squeezing of the surrounding organs and tissues in the neck. Pain with palpation of the thyroid gland begins to be felt with slight pressure. Also at this stage, the patient's voice becomes hoarse. He has a constant sense of squeezing in the neck and a feeling that something prevents him from swallowing.

5. At the last stage already developed goiter has dimensions that exceed all the permissible standards.

Palpation of the thyroid gland:

technique The patient should feel the thyroid gland of the patient only by an endocrinologist, while observing a special technique. When examining a patient, the doctor can occupy completely different poses, helping him to accurately view the patient, as well as determine the degree of increase in the internal organ.

How is the examination and palpation of the thyroid gland performed? The specialist adheres to the following rules:

• Having faced the patient, the endocrinologist places the thumbs on the cartilage of the thyroid gland, and puts the rest on the region of the clavic-sternocleid muscles. If in the process of such a palpation of the data for diagnosis is not enough, the patient is asked to take a sip. As a result of this, some displacement of the cartilage takes place, and the organ is obtained as completely as possible. With this method of palpation, you can easily detect the isthmus.
• Standing to the right of the subject, the doctor examines the patient, asks him to tilt his head forward. In this position, the muscles relax the muscles in the maximal way, that is, it is possible to probe the organ quite easily. With his left hand, the endocrinologist holds the neck in one position, and the right one gently probes both lobes of the gland.
• Having risen from behind the patient, the specialist can place the thumbs on the back of the neck, and the rest of them perform a thorough palpation of the thyroid gland.

Having carried out the described actions, the doctor can easily make a preliminary conclusion about the presence or absence of an increase in the internal organ.

Results of the

Study Palpation of the thyroid in children and adults helps a specialist to draw preliminary conclusions about the patient's condition. In what cases should the patient be concerned? If during the examination the internal organ is not probed, then this indicates its normal state( that is, there are no pathological increases).

According to the generally accepted classification, in endocrinology three degrees are established, of which only one is a variant of the norm. As for the others, they already testify to the development of pathology.

If during the examination of the patient his thyroid gland is probed, but rather weakly, then they speak about the first stage of the disease. The last degree of the disease is diagnosed if the damage is determined very well with palpation.

Features of the

study Now you know how the palpation of the thyroid gland is carried out. Normally this organ should not be enlarged. At the same time, it should be noted that the examination performed by the doctor is the initial stage of the diagnosis. He does not give a full guarantee, because a specialist can make a mistake, especially when examining too thin or obese people. Although the initial idea of ​​the patient's condition in this way can still be obtained.

Special attention should be paid to overweight patients when palpating an internal organ. This is due to the fact that in such people the layer of fat can be easily taken for thyroid gland, which will give an erroneous result of the study. Therefore, this type of examination can only be used together with others.

Advantages of palpation

The main advantage of physical palpation of the thyroid gland is that the patient can use this method alone. But you should act very carefully. Because ignorance of the anatomical features of a person can easily lead to disastrous results.

Treatment of

Treatment of thyroid diseases should be started only after all diagnostic measures have been carried out, including hormone tests. The first degrees of illness require conservative therapy. In this case, a person should drink artificial hormones and other drugs throughout his life. If this is not done, the thyroid gland may increase even more.

The most effective and proven method of treating the treated gland is its total surgical removal. However, such a method is also extremely dangerous. Therefore, only an experienced surgeon should perform such an operation. It should be noted that before placing the patient in the intensive care unit, he must undergo special treatment. During this period, the patient is prescribed various drugs, and also recommend to adhere to a strict diet rich in natural vitamins.