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What is a thyroid gland?
It is a small butterfly-like gland present in the neck below Adams’ apple. It is part of the endocrine system and produces thyroid hormone, which coordinates several functions in your body.
What is hypothyroidism?
It is a condition when the thyroid gland is underactive, which results in hypothyroidism.
What is Hashimoto’s Disease?
It is also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is a common disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to an underactive thyroid disease called hypothyroidism.
What are the symptoms of Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Disease?
Hashimoto’s disease is a slowly progressive disease that may present without symptoms or enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter. The patient may experience several symptoms, such as:
o Fatigue
o Increased cold sensitivity
o Pale, dry skin
o A puffy face
o Constipation
o Hair loss
o Enlargement of the tongue
o Brittle nails
o Joint pain and stiffness
o Unexplained weight gain
o Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
o Abnormal menstrual bleeding in women
o Muscle weakness
o Memory lapses/issues
o Depression
o High cholesterol
When to see a doctor?
If you have Hashimoto’s signs and symptoms, you should discuss them with your doctor to check thyroid labs. If you have high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), autoimmune disease such as Diabetes Type 1, RA, Lupus, etc., or are pregnant, you should also get screened for thyroid level. Once you are on thyroid medication, and if the symptoms do not resolve for the next 3-6 months, it would be a good idea to consult an endocrinologist to help optimize your thyroid replacement.
How is hypothyroidism Treated?
Hashimoto’s disease treatment may include observation or thyroid replacement medications. Your doctor will decide based on clinical and laboratory data.
Synthetic hormones: Hashimoto hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid replacement. It includes the most commonly prescribed generic synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine or brand name Levoxyl, Synthroid, and Unithroid.
Synthetic levothyroxine is identical to naturally made thyroid hormone, thyroxine (T4) in our body. Levothyroxine is a very inexpensive drug.
What is Graves Disease or Hyperthyroidism?
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune system disorder where there is an overproduction of thyroid hormones resulting in hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease is a common disorder with overactive thyroid, particularly in women and younger than age 40. Treatment is focused on reducing thyroid hormone production, which helps with the severity of hyperthyroid symptoms.
What are the symptoms of Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism?
Common signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease include:
· Anxiety
· Mood irritability
· Weight loss unintentionally.
· Goiter, or Enlarged thyroid gland
· A fine tremor of fingers/hands.
· Heat sensitivity
· Increased perspiration or moist skin
· menstrual irregularities
· Erectile dysfunction/sexual dysfunction.
· Frequent bowel movements
· Irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
· Sleep disturbance
· Graves’ ophthalmopathy: Bulging eyes
· Fatigue
· Graves’ dermopathy: Red and thickened skin over shins or tops of the feet
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What is Graves’ ophthalmopathy?
Up to 1/3 of the patients who have Grave’s disease develop inflammation and immune response to the muscles or tissues around the eyes, resulting in Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Common signs and symptoms may include:
· Gritty sensation, Bulging eyes, Pain or Pressure in the eyes, Retracted or puffy eyelids, Inflamed or red eyes, Light sensitivity, Double vision, Vision loss in severe cases.
How is the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease is made?
Your physician will likely perform a physical exam and get a detailed history to understand your current thyroid status. Standard tests and work include blood tests, radioactive iodine uptake scans, and thyroid ultrasound cases.
How is Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism treated?
Treatment for Graves disease includes Radioactive iodine therapy, Anti-thyroid medications, Beta-blockers, and in some cases, surgical removal of the total or partial thyroid gland.
What are thyroid nodules?
The thyroid may have nodules which could be either solid or fluid-filled lumps that you may or may not be able to feel with your fingers. Generally, these nodules are primarily asymptomatic and are found during a doctor check-up visit or undergo radiographic imaging. Some thyroid nodules may be large enough to be visible are and may also affect swallowing or breathing because of pressure in the neighboring structures in the area.
Does District Endocrine provide care for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer patients?
We provide comprehensive care for thyroid nodules, including FNA/Biopsy for the nodules. We provide state-of-the-art treatment for patients with thyroid cancer based on the latest guidelines from American Thyroid Association.
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