Thyroid Specialist

What is the thyroid and what does it do in the body?

Your thyroid is a small organ located at the front of your throat, just beneath your Adam’s apple. Shaped like a butterfly, your thyroid extends around to the sides of your throat. 

The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones that deliver chemical messages throughout the body, prompting all kinds of cellular functions. Your thyroid manufactures thyroid hormones, which regulate your metabolism. This relatively tiny gland within your body has a very large role in how you convert food into energy. 

What are some common thyroid conditions?

There are two main types of thyroid disorders: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. 

Hyperthyroidism

This condition occurs when your thyroid gland produces too many thyroid hormones. Symptoms include:

• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Sleep disruption
• Thinning skin
• Sweating
• Intolerance to heat
• Frequent bowel movements
• Rapid heart rate
• Unexplained weight loss

Hypothyroidism

This condition occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Feeling cold 
• Depression 
• Constipation
• Memory problems
• High cholesterol
• Extremely dry skin

If you notice these changes, schedule a diagnostic exam to determine if a thyroid disorder is to blame. 

What are some treatment options for thyroid issues?

If you’re diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the primary treatment is to supplement your natural thyroid hormone production with a synthetic option. 

Periodic blood testing helps determine if you’re getting the right volume of medication to keep symptoms at bay. Most people with hypothyroidism need medication for the rest of their lives. 

If you have hyperthyroidism, you have several treatment options. Drug therapy can slow your natural thyroid hormone production, and another option is radioactive iodine, which works by destroying a portion of your thyroid cells. 

Beta-blockers are often prescribed along with thyroid medication or radioactive iodine to slow your heart rate and prevent heart palpitations. 

For those who aren’t good candidates for these treatments, surgery can remove a portion of your thyroid, but you’ll likely need to take supplemental synthetic thyroid hormones for the rest of your life to achieve optimal balance. 

For more information about thyroid disorders and treatment paths, schedule a visit at Clinica San Miguel online or over the phone today.