Euthyroidism

The term euthyroidism means normal thyroid function . It comes from the Greek and literally means good thyroid function . One speaks of euthyroidism when the blood values ​​of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T ₄ ) and triiodothyronine (T ₃ ) and thus also the thyrotropin level in healthy people are in the normal range.

Use of the term

The term is not to be equated with a "healthy thyroid". It is most often used in connection with a goiter : A euthyroid goiter (a euthyroid goiter) is an enlarged thyroid gland with normal thyroid function. This condition is mostly based on an iodine deficiency , which is not very pronounced and can be compensated for by an increase in thyroid tissue, which is why it has not yet led to an underactive thyroid ( hypothyroidism ).

Euthyroidism is also used in the treatment of hypothyroidism (for example in the context of autoimmune thyroiditis ) or relapse prophylaxis after goiter resection with thyroid hormones , provided that normal thyroid values ​​and the corresponding freedom from symptoms are achieved during therapy.

In contrast, a functional autonomy of the thyroid gland is a specialty of euthyroidism : one or more autonomous nodes within the thyroid gland, decoupled from the existing feedback and control mechanisms, produce just enough hormones that the remaining thyroid tissue, which is still subject to the feedback mechanisms, produces its own own hormone production is reduced accordingly and overall a physiological or needs-based hormone balance is maintained.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ H. Ahmadzadehfar: Thyroid: Participate in therapy. novum publishing, 2010, ISBN 978-3-99003-221-3 , p. 116. (online)

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !