Dysthyreosis

DYSTHYREOSIS, dysthyreosis, a disorder of the function of the thyroid gland (see). At the present time, there is no consensus regarding the scope of this concept. Some understand dysthyreosis as any disturbance (both quantitative and qualitative) in the function of the thyroid gland. Under this interpretation, the concept would have to encompass both cretinism and myxedema as manifestations of its insufficient activity, and hyperthyroid syndromes such as Basedow's disease (see). A more correct understanding of dysthyreosis should be recognized as a disturbance in the activity of the thyroid gland where, alongside symptoms indicating its hyperfunction (e.g., weight loss, tachycardia, hyperthermia, sweating, insomnia, irritability, etc.), the given subject exhibits phenomena indicating hypofunction, e.g., a tendency toward obesity, hypothermia, dry skin, mucous edema, hair loss, lethargy, apathy, etc. In clinical practice, disturbances of thyroid function more frequently present, especially in mildly expressed cases, precisely with such disorders. Many are inclined to interpret the pathogenesis of Basedow's disease precisely as a case of dysthyreosis rather than hyperthyroidism in the sense just described, with some understanding it as a perversion of the gland's secretion, and others as the cessation of its detoxifying function with respect to toxic substances, which causes the accumulation of these substances in the blood. Still others associate the phenomena of dyssecretion with peripheral changes (perversion of the hormone's action depending on changing conditions at the periphery). For the therapy of dysthyreosis in the broad sense, see under the respective diseases. Dysthyroid states in a narrower sense respond well to treatment with small doses (from 0.005 to 0.1) of thyroid gland preparations. This therapy must be especially cautious in conditions where symptoms of hyperthyroidism are clearly expressed. DISTOMA, Distomum, an old generic name for trematodes with two suckers. Today the term has only historical significance. Distomiasis, helminthic diseases whose causative agents are trematodes with two suckers. In connection with the abolition of the term "Distoma" in modern helminthology, the term "distomiases" has only historical significance. Liver fluke, see Trematodes.