Thyroid Disorders

What is the thyroid?

Your thyroid gland is in your neck and produces essential hormones required for your body to function normally. It controls numerous activities in your body, such as how fast your heart beats and how fast you burn calories.

Hormones produced in your thyroid gland regulate development and growth via your metabolism rate. Your thyroid must produce the right amount of these critical hormones for you to function properly. When it doesn’t, you have a thyroid disorder.

Certain thyroid disorders involve an over- or underproduction of hormones. The resulting fluctuation of hormone levels can cause the following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Restlessness
• Rapid weight gain or loss

Experts believe that due to other hormonal changes that occur due to pregnancy or menopause, thyroid disorders are more common in women than men.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism involves the underproduction of hormones. When your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, the resulting hormone deficiency interferes with your body’s normal chemical balance.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Obesity
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Joint pain
• Depression
• Constipation
• Thinning hair
• Impaired memory
• A slowed heart rate
• Muscle aches and weakness
• Sensitivity to temperature and light

If untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to heart disease and infertility. The most advanced, severe cases can be life-threatening.

What causes hypothyroidism?

Pinpointing an underlying cause of hypothyroidism is often difficult, but the team of doctors at Optima Medical can help. This condition is often attributed to the following:

• Thyroid surgery
• Iodine deficiency
• Radiation therapy
• Certain medications
• Autoimmune diseases

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism. It involves an overactive thyroid that accelerates your metabolism.

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism can mimic other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Sweating
• Irritability
• Brittle hair
• Restlessness
• Thinning skin
• Muscle weakness
• Increased appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Anxiety and nervousness
• A fast or irregular heartbeat

Hyperthyroidism is typically caused by:

• Graves’ disease
• Excessive iodine intake
• Excess intake of thyroid hormones
• Thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid gland
• Abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion
• Functioning adenoma and toxic multinodular goiters

The Optima Medical group strives to unveil the causes and contributing factors of your thyroid disorder. They assess your overall health and your body as a whole from a holistic perspective.

If you suspect you suffer from a thyroid disorder, let the team at Optima Medical help you find symptom relief. Call the office today or book your appointment online to receive your customized treatment plan.