Our Services / Thyroid

What are common thyroid disorders?

Your thyroid is a gland in your neck and is part of your endocrine system. This gland is responsible for making hormones that control many of your body’s functions, including metabolism, digestion, and heart rate.

When this gland doesn't function properly, it can affect your overall health in several ways. Common types of thyroid disorders include:

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where your thyroid produces too many hormones.

This condition develops from chronic inflammation in your thyroid (thyroiditis) or autoimmune disorders like Grave’s disease-causing your body to mistakenly attack your thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones to support your body’s functions.

This condition can be the result of autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s disease. Other causes of hypothyroidism include radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, and the use of certain medications.

You can also develop thyroid cancer if you have a family history of the disease or other risk factors.

What are the symptoms of a thyroid disorder?

Thyroid disorders can cause changes in your mood, weight, breathing and negatively affect many functions of your body. You should schedule diagnostic testing for a thyroid disorder if you experience symptoms like:

• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Rapid heart rate
• Persistent constipation or diarrhea
• Unexplained weight changes
• Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)

As these symptoms may relate to several other health conditions, it’s important that you get an accurate diagnosis. Without treatment, a thyroid disorder can lead to more serious issues that affect your bones, muscles, and fertility.

Dr. Kesavan offers in-office blood testing to evaluate your thyroid levels and determine if you need treatment. You may also need an ultrasound or other diagnostic imaging test to assess the structure of your thyroid gland.

How are thyroid disorders treated?

The goal of your treatment plan is to restore and balance your hormone levels. Dr. Kesavan customizes a treatment strategy to your needs based on the type of thyroid condition and the severity of your symptoms.

Treatment options include:

Medications

Anti-thyroid medications can help slow down your thyroid’s production of hormones to treat hyperthyroidism. There are also medications available to relieve symptoms of an underlying thyroid disorder.

Hormone replacement therapy

Taking supplemental hormones can restore your balance in your natural hormone levels to relieve your symptoms.

Surgery

When medications aren’t enough to treat a thyroid disorder, you may need surgery to remove part or all of your thyroid. Following surgery, you’ll need to take replacement hormones for the rest of your life.

To schedule diagnostic testing for symptoms of a thyroid disorder, call the Comprehensive Primary Care office nearest you or book an appointment online today.