Thyroid Disorders Specialist

What are thyroid disorders?

Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It’s responsible for regulating your body’s metabolism, including how to burn calories and turn food into energy. Thyroid disorders cause thyroid hormone levels in your body to become too high or too low, often leading to unpleasant symptoms or complications.

What are the different types of thyroid disorders?

Some of the most common thyroid disorders include:

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your body produces too much thyroid hormone, causing a higher metabolism. It often leads to excessive sweating, increases in appetite, hair loss, and unexpected weight loss.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition that causes low levels of thyroid hormone. It can cause weight gain, feeling cold, heavy periods in women, and hair loss.

Goiter

With thyroid disorders, you might develop a goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland visible in your neck.

Thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer can develop in your thyroid gland and spread to other parts of your body when left untreated.

Thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules are lumps in your thyroid gland, affecting the way the gland functions.

Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is the swelling of your thyroid gland and can affect thyroid hormone production.

What are the risk factors for thyroid disease?

While anyone can develop thyroid disease, some factors increase your risk of experiencing it. Examples include:

• Being a women
• Over the age 60
• Family history of thyroid disease
• Type 1 diabetes
• Celiac disease
• Other autoimmune diseases
• Radioactive iodine treatment
• Anti-thyroid medications
• Neck or upper chest radiation
• Past thyroid surgery
• Pregnancy
• Chronic diseases

At the first sign of new or unusual symptoms, especially if you have thyroid disease risk factors, see the Joel Wellness Clinic team for an evaluation. 

How does my doctor diagnose thyroid disorders?

To determine if you have thyroid disorders and develop an effective treatment, Dr. Joel reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms. She completes a physical examination, paying close attention to your neck. She may recommend you undergo blood tests, thyroid ultrasounds, or biopsies. 

What are common thyroid disease treatments?

Your thyroid disease treatment plan depends on the type and severity of your condition. Personalized treatments might include:

Lifestyle changes

Adopting healthy habits can reduce your risk of thyroid problems or help you manage thyroid disease. Lose weight if you’re overweight, eat nutritious foods, and get regular exercise. 

Medications

Taking oral medications can help you better manage thyroid levels, reduce unpleasant symptoms, and lower your risk of complications. 

Dr. Joel uses different types of thyroid replacement like levothyroxine and Armour Thyroid.

Radioiodine therapy

You can take radioactive iodine by mouth. It gets absorbed by your thyroid gland, which causes the gland to shrink and excess iodine to disappear from your body.

Thyroid surgery

Sometimes Dr. Joel recommends you undergo thyroid surgery to remove cancer, nodules, or part or all of your thyroid gland. If you have cancer, you might need chemotherapy or radiation therapy. 

Don’t let untreated thyroid disorders cause unpleasant symptoms or dangerous complications. Call the Joel Wellness Clinic office to schedule an appointment or book a consultation online today.