What are thyroid hormones? What are they useful for?
The body's daily iodine requirement is on average 0.1 milligrams. This need is met by the nutrients we consume.
Three quarters of the iodine taken into the body is retained by the thyroid gland.
Iodine, which undergoes various reactions, becomes T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (tetraiodothyronine; thyroxine). These two forms of iodine play important roles in many biochemical processes in the body.
Thyroid hormones affect almost every system in the body.
They are important for the brain and skeletal development of the fetus.
They increase the body's oxygen consumption, basal metabolic rate and heat production.
They also have effects on the heart.
They also regulate the working speed of the intestines.
What is thyroid scintigraphy? In what situations is it used?
Thyroid scintigraphy is based on the intravenous administration of a radioactive substance and then taking an image of the neck area.
It provides information about the status of the nodules in the gland and whether the activity of the gland has increased.
What is thyroid ultrasonography? In what situations is it used?
Ultrasonography is the most ideal imaging method for the thyroid because it is a radiation- free method.
It is used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules, in distinguishing solid from cystic nodules, and in determining the size and number of nodules.
It also serves to evaluate the characteristics, shape and boundaries of the thyroid tissue.
It gives an idea about the possible presence of cancer by showing the calcifications and vascularity in the thyroid.
It also plays a guiding role in evaluating the lymph nodes in the neck and performing fine needle biopsy on suspicious formations.
What are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MRI)? In what situations is it used?
CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies provide very effective imaging of the thyroid gland and adjacent lymph nodes.
It is especially helpful in examining goiters that are large, adhered to surrounding tissues, or extend to the chest area, which cannot be evaluated by ultrasonography.
It is useful in evaluating their relationship with the trachea and vessels.