Thyroid disorder

What is thyroid disorder?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck that produces hormones to regulate your metabolism. A thyroid disorder occurs when this gland produces too much or too little thyroid hormone.

Some common thyroid disorders include:

• Hypothyroidism - This is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, and feeling cold. Hypothyroidism is most often caused by Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack the thyroid. Treatment is daily thyroid hormone replacement medication.
• Hyperthyroidism - This is when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, unexplained weight loss, fast heartbeat, hand tremors, excessive sweating, and feeling hot. Hyperthyroidism is most often caused by Graves' disease, another autoimmune disorder. Treatment options include medication, radioactive iodine therapy, and thyroid surgery.
• Goiter - This is an enlargement of the thyroid gland that can occur with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
• Thyroid nodules - These are lumps that develop inside the thyroid. Most are noncancerous (benign), but around 5% are cancerous. A thyroid ultrasound and biopsy are needed to diagnose.
• Thyroid cancer - This is fairly uncommon cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. Symptoms include a lump or swelling in the neck. Treatment may involve surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy. The prognosis is usually good when caught early.

How do you know if you have a thyroid problem? Some common signs and symptoms include unexplained weight changes, feeling too hot or cold, fatigue, constipation, muscle weakness, dry skin, thinning hair, pain or swelling in the neck, nervousness, irritability, rapid or irregular heartbeat, depression, and irregular menstrual cycles.

However, symptoms can vary greatly. The best way to diagnose a thyroid disorder is to see your doctor. They may check for enlarged thyroid, assess your symptoms, and run blood tests to check TSH, T4, T3, thyroid antibodies, and other hormone levels. This will help pinpoint if you have hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or another thyroid condition.

Getting proper treatment is crucial for managing symptoms and preventing complications of untreated thyroid disorders like heart problems, bone loss, anxiety, infertility, and more. Luckily, most thyroid problems are very treatable with medications, therapy, or sometimes surgery.

At Harmony Hormone Clinic, we specialize in holistic and personalized care for thyroid issues. Our experienced endocrinologists provide advanced testing and optimal treatment plans to get your thyroid levels balanced and relieve symptoms. We also offer nutrition plans, supplements, lifestyle coaching, and symptom management. Let our hormone experts help you take control of your thyroid health! Visit www.Harmony Hormone Clinic.com to schedule an appointment or call 555-1234 for a free consultation.