Thyroid disorders can cause symptoms like fatigue and weight gain and increase your risk of additional health complications. NP Tamara Washington treats thyroid disorders at Elite NP Clinic in DeSoto, Texas. Thanks to today’s technological advances and Nurse Washington’s determination to provide the best quality treatments, patients can receive effective management for thyroid disorders, including medications, lifestyle changes, and preventive care. Call or request your consultation online to discuss your thyroid with Nurse Washington.
Thyroid Problems
What is the thyroid?
Your thyroid is a gland located at the base of your neck that secretes your thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are necessary for a variety of essential body functions, including those associated with your metabolism, growth, and development.
Your thyroid hormones also help to regulate body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and weight.
What are thyroid disorders?
Since your thyroid plays such an essential role in your overall functioning, when your thyroid is malfunctioning, you can experience numerous symptoms. Thyroid disorders can negatively impact your quality of life and disrupt your sleep patterns.
There are four primary thyroid-related disorders.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism involves an overactive thyroid that produces too much thyroid hormone and often comes with symptoms like rapid heartbeat, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, tremors, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism involves an underactive thyroid that doesn’t produce sufficient thyroid hormone and often comes with symptoms like weight gain, thinning hair, fatigue, joint pain, depression, impaired memory, and muscle weakness.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is a malignancy in your thyroid cells and can often develop as a lump on your neck. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, and changes in your voice.
Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are growths that appear on your thyroid. Sometimes, the nodules don’t produce any symptoms and can go unnoticed, but in other cases, they can become so enlarged you can see and feel them. Though some nodules are cancerous, most are benign.
What are the treatments for thyroid disorders?
Nurse Washington first determines the type of thyroid disorder you have before comprising an individualized treatment plan.
Treatments for hyperthyroidism often includes:
- Beta blockers
- Radioactive iodine
- Anti-thyroid medications
- Lifestyle changes, such as nutrition and exercise
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is most commonly treated with an oral medication called synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. This medication is especially effective at improving fatigue and controlling weight with custom dosages.
Thyroid nodules can sometimes go away on their own, but some cases might require thyroid suppression therapy and even surgery.
Thyroid cancer treatments depend on the size, type, and stage of the tumor and require a cancer specialist and treatments like radioactive iodine, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, external radiation therapy, and surgery.
The thyroid is key to your overall health and wellness. Embark on your road to better health with a compassionate provider. Call or click to request your appointment online.