The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that has a huge impact on our overall health. This vital organ is part of the endocrine system and is responsible for regulating metabolism, heart rate, mood, and controlling the rate of many other important bodily functions.
Thyroid disorders occur when the thyroid produces too much or too little of the essential thyroid hormones. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime.
Some common thyroid disorders include:
If you suspect a problem with this critical gland, get your thyroid levels tested right away. The team of endocrinologists at Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all thyroid conditions. Their individualized treatment plans get your hormones back in balance quickly, so you can feel like yourself again.
Thyroid hormone blood tests like TSH, T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies can accurately determine if the thyroid is malfunctioning. If test results indicate a thyroid disorder, treatment typically involves synthetic thyroid medication to replace missing hormones.
Levothyroxine is the common drug used to treat underactive thyroid issues. Overactive thyroid is initially treated with medications like methimazole or propylthiouracil to prevent excess hormone production before more aggressive treatments are considered.
In some cases, the thyroid gland itself is causing problems and needs to be surgically removed (thyroidectomy), shrinking the gland with radioactive iodine, or eliminating lumps/nodules via ethanol ablation.
When properly diagnosed and managed, most people with a thyroid disorder can live normal, healthy lives. But left untreated, these common conditions can increase the risk for various problems like goiter, heart disease, growth issues in children, and thyroid storm (a rare, life-threatening form of hyperthyroidism).
So if you notice unexplained weight fluctuations, changes in bowel habits, altered heart rate, extreme fatigue or other bothersome symptoms, ask your doctor to check your thyroid function. The knowledgeable endocrinologists at Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic are thyroid health experts ready to help you regain balance. Call today to schedule your evaluation!