The doctor warned about the risk of confusing allergies with thyroid diseases
During the allergy season, severe swelling is most often associated with a reaction to pollen, food, or insect bites. However, similar symptoms can occur with serious thyroid disorders. Lyubov Stankevich, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Director of Laboratory Medicine and Manufacturing at the LabQuest medical company, told Izvestia on May 25.
According to the specialist, in medical practice, there are cases when a patient is brought in with a suspected severe allergic reaction, but the cause of the deterioration is decompensated hypothyroidism. During the period of active flowering, the probability of such an error increases, since both patients and others tend to associate swelling and weakness with allergies.
The expert explained that the external manifestations of these conditions may be similar, but the mechanisms of their development are fundamentally different. Allergies and severe endocrine disorders require a completely different approach to treatment, therefore, with severe or rapidly increasing edema, it is important to assess the condition comprehensively, taking into account breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, medical history and possible thyroid problems.
"The end of spring and the beginning of summer become a period of increased stress for the body. After winter, many people still have the effects of lack of sun, vitamin D deficiency, sleep disorders, and previous infections. Additional stress is created by heat, seasonal allergies, physical activity in the country and preparation for vacations. Against this background, symptoms such as drowsiness, irritability, swelling, sweating, insomnia, or weight fluctuations are often attributed to stress, weather, or overwork," the doctor said.
At the same time, seasonal changes by themselves do not cause thyroid disease, but they can make existing disorders more noticeable. What used to be almost asymptomatic may come to the fore against the background of fatigue and increased stress.
The expert recalled that thyroid hormones regulate metabolism. With hypothyroidism, the metabolism slows down, which causes weakness, drowsiness, swelling, decreased performance and weight gain. In the case of hyperthyroidism, the body, on the contrary, works in overload mode: palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, excessive sweating and poor heat tolerance occur.
According to Stankevich, both conditions can disguise themselves for a long time as ordinary fatigue, stress, or a reaction to seasonal changes. That's why it's important to pay attention to symptoms that persist for weeks, recur, or worsen.
The reason for the examination may be constant weakness, drowsiness, unexplained weight changes, persistent swelling, palpitations, sweating, irritability, hair loss, dry skin, or menstrual irregularities.
The expert stressed that it is impossible to distinguish between seasonal malaise, allergies and thyroid dysfunction only by feeling well. Laboratory tests are necessary for diagnosis, primarily tests for TSH and free T4. If necessary, doctors additionally prescribe a check for autoimmune markers.
"If severe swelling, weakness, palpitations or breathing problems occur suddenly and the condition worsens dramatically, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help. But if the symptoms persist for weeks and the person constantly explains them by the weather, stress or allergies, it is worth checking the thyroid gland," concluded Stankevich.
In April, Stankevich mentioned signs of thyroid disorders. According to her, special attention should be paid to unexplained weight changes. If the diet and the level of physical activity have not changed, but the body weight is increasing, this may be a reason for examination. At the same time, spring itself does not determine the change in appetite: the body's reactions may vary.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
