diagnostic Testing and treatment for thyroid conditions
Thyroid conditions Q&A
What are common thyroid conditions?
Your thyroid is a gland that sits just above your collarbone and is an important part of your endocrine system. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that control many of your body’s functions, including your metabolism, your heart rate, and your body temperature.
When your thyroid isn’t functioning as it should, it can lead to a variety of symptoms that interfere with your life. Some of the most common thyroid conditions Dr. Lima treats include:
Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that describes an overactive thyroid, which causes your gland to produce more hormones than your body needs.
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism describes an underactive thyroid, a condition where your body doesn’t make enough hormones to maintain normal function.
Your risk for developing a thyroid condition increases if you have other underlying disorders like diabetes or if you have nutritional deficiencies in your diet. You might also be at increased risk for thyroid conditions if you have a family history of them.
What are the symptoms of a thyroid condition?
The symptoms you can experience vary based on the type of thyroid condition you have.
If you have hyperthyroidism, you might experience:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Vision problems
- Muscle weakness
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Goiter (an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland)
Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include chronic fatigue, weight gain, forgetfulness, and increased sensitivity to cold temperatures.
Because these symptoms can relate to many different underlying health issues, Dr. Lima offers on-site blood tests to evaluate how well your thyroid gland is functioning. You might also need an ultrasound or other imaging test of your thyroid gland.
How are thyroid conditions treated?
The goal of treating a thyroid condition is to rebalance your hormone levels and relieve your symptoms.
Dr. Lima might recommend medications to stop your thyroid from making hormones. You might also need therapy using bioidentical hormones that supplements your body’s natural production of thyroid hormones.
You may also benefit from naturopathic modalities like:
- Botanicals
- Acupuncture
- Supplementation
- Nutrition counseling
- Medical weight loss
- Intravenous (IV) therapy
If you have symptoms of a thyroid condition, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Essence Medical Center or book a consultation online today.