Thyroid disorders impact how your body uses energy. The thyroid gland in your neck makes hormones that regulate your metabolism. When the thyroid makes too many or too few hormones, your body's processes can slow down or speed up.
The most common thyroid disorders include:
- Hypothyroidism - Your thyroid gland doesn't make enough hormones. This causes fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, and other symptoms.
- Hyperthyroidism - Your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This speeds up your body's processes, leading to unintended weight loss, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and more.
- Hashimoto’s disease - This is an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your thyroid. It usually leads to hypothyroidism.
- Graves' disease - Another autoimmune condition where antibodies overstimulate your thyroid, causing hyperthyroidism.
What causes thyroid problems?
Thyroid disorders can result from pregnancy, inflammation, tumors, autoimmune diseases, nutritional deficiencies, or unknown reasons. Risk factors include family history, age over 60, or being female.
How are thyroid conditions diagnosed and treated?
A simple
TSH blood test can often detect thyroid problems. Your doctor may also check levels of thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
Treatment depends on the specific condition but may include:
- Levothyroxine - A synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism
- Anti-thyroid medications - Used to decrease thyroid hormone production for hyperthyroidism
- Radioactive iodine - Damages overactive thyroid cells to treat hyperthyroidism
- Surgery - Removes part or all of the thyroid gland for cancer or extremely overactive glands
If you suspect a
thyroid disorder, I recommend getting a check up with the caring doctors at Balance Hormone Center. Their team of endocrinologists and nurses provide personalized care to help diagnose and treat thyroid conditions.
Balance Hormone Center uses state-of-the-art testing to accurately assess your hormone levels and health status. They offer both conventional and complementary treatment approaches, including nutritional support and lifestyle changes along with medication when needed. Patients appreciate their whole-person approach.
So if you're feeling fatigued, gaining weight, or noticing other unexplained changes in your body, don't ignore it. Reach out to Balance Hormone Center to get the answers and treatment you need to get your thyroid and metabolism back on track. They accept most major insurance plans, and new patients can book a consultation online in just a few clicks. Get your hormones balanced and reclaim your health!