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For my Steam Project, the objectives I decided to cover were:
- Explain the role of the lymphatic system in the immune response
- Relate how the lymphatic system can indicate disease.
My research tiesback into Grave’s Disease, Hyperthyroidism, and how the Lymphatic system plays a role in indicating the disease.
Hyperthyroidism is a disease caused when the thyroid makes too much much thyroid hormone, causing issues like fast heartbeat (tachycardia), heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), increased hunger, sweating, tiredness, sleep problems, muscle weakness, trembling of the hands and fingers, excessive weight loss, bulging eyes and more. (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
The Thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. The two main hormones it produces: Thyroxine (T-4) and Triiodothyronine (T-3) are the main and primary hormones, and when they’re overproduced and put into the bloodstream, hyperthyroidism occurs (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
One of the reasons Hyperthyroidism can develop is from autoimmune diseases, one of which being Graves’ Disease. Graves’ Disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by overproduction of autoantibody formation by the lymphocyte B cells. These cells bind to the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone receptors (TSHR) and enhance production of thyroid hormone, causing mass overproduction, and the Thyroid to inflame and become swollen. (Purnamasari et al, 2014).
The Lymphatic System is integral to our immunity system, as well as autoimmune diseases. It’s responsible for collecting excess fluid from the body’s tissues and returning them to the bloodstream, helping the body absorb fats, as well as protecting the body against invaders (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
A key part of the Lymphatic System are Lymphocyte B cells and Lymphocyte T cells, which are made from the bone marrow. B cells are what make our antibodies to fight pathogens, while T cells are what destroy harmful pathogens. These two are often at the forefront of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (Cano et al, 2013).
Due to the inflammatory nature of Grave Disease’s, the Thyroid will swell but the Lymph Nodes can also swell in response to the disease. Even in cases of the Thyroid not being visibly swollen, the Lymph Nodes can show signs of the disease. It’s been found that patients with long-standing Hyperthyroidism can also develop Lymphoma, which is a type of cancer that affects the Lymphatic System. It develops when the Lymphocytes become abnormal and out of control. (Ultmann et al, 1963).
In my art work, I wanted to choose an artistic approach of depicting the thyroid as well as the lymphatic system. The core of the artwork is the Thyroid, which I went for an exaggerated “butterfly” shape as described, as well as a stem that slowly spread out into the thyroid to exaggerate the butterfly look further. One side is lopsided and more inflamed than the other to showcase the swelling and inflammation, and the Thyroid has a bruised look. I wanted to draw veins and arteries spewing from the bottom as a reference to how the immune system travels through the blood to fight diseases, and at the top of the thyroid I had it produce “T3” and “T4” that would stab into it like daggers, showcasing that what it’s producing is the very thing hurting it. Off to the side are my take on swollen lymph nodes that would be around the neck area, using thick globs of yellow, orange, and white paint to give it a 3D and gross look.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cano, L. E., & Lopera, D. E. (2013, July 18). Introduction to T and B Lymphocytes. Nih.gov; El Rosario University Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459471/
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, July 31). Lymphatic System. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21199-lymphatic-system
Dyah Purnamasari, Pradana Soewondo, & Samsuridjal Djauzi. (2014). The Adaptive Immune Response in Graves’ Disease: Does Vitamin D have a role? Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, 29(1). https://doaj.org/article/35cddd8ac3214fd18f17ffb293bdf1d1
Mayo Clinic. (2022, November 30). Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20373659
ULTMANN, J. E., HYMAN, G. A., & CALDER, B. (1963). The Occurrence of Lymphoma in Patients with Long-standing Hyperthyroidism. Blood, 21(3), 282–297. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.v21.3.282.282
This essay discusses the relationship between the lymphatic system and the thyroid gland. hyperthyroidism and Grave’s Disease, two conditions that affect the thyroid gland and are characterized by hormone overproduction. The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located at the base of the neck and it mainly produces T3 and T4 hormones. When these hormones are overproduced it is known as hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism symptoms include tachycardia, heart palpitations, increased hunger, sweating, fatigue, muscle weakness, trembling of the hands and fingers, excessive weight loss, bulging eyes and more.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by an overactive immune system, particularly B lymphocytes in the lymphatic system, this is known as an autoimmune disease called Graves Disease. In addition to overproduction of hormones the thyroid gland may become swollen and inflamed. It has been found that patients with long term hyperthyroidism are at an increased risk to develop lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, due to the connection between the thyroid and the lymphatic system.
Nia describes her drawing as an exaggerated butterfly shaped thyroid, one half is larger to represent inflammation. She also describes the veins and arteries that she drew to represent the pathway of the immune system. Lastly, she describes the big blobs off to the side to be the swollen lymph nodes.