Thyroid Problems Specialist

What are thyroid problems?

Your thyroid gland produces hormones to keep your body functioning normally and is responsible for regulating your metabolism, your heart function, brain development, muscle control, and more. 

When your thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, your body uses energy at a slower rate than it should. This results in a condition known as hypothyroidism.

When your thyroid produces too much of the thyroid hormone, your body uses energy much faster than it should. This results in a condition called hyperthyroidism. 

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism?

Since the thyroid hormone regulates many different organ systems, both types of thyroid disease cause a wide range of symptoms. Patients with hypothyroidism often experience:

• Fatigue
• Frequent, heavy menstruation
• Forgetfulness
• Weight gain
• Dry skin and hair
• Intolerance to cold

Patients with hyperthyroidism sometimes experience:

• Irritability
• Muscles weakness or tremors
• Infrequent, light menstruation
• Weight loss
• Insomnia or disturbed sleep
• Vision problems
• Heat sensitivity 

People of all ages and backgrounds can develop a thyroid problem, but women are five to eight times more likely to develop an issue. Most symptoms are also general and shared with other diseases leading patients to ignore them for years. However, if left untreated, you may experience serious and life-threatening health complications. 

Some of the major organ systems affected by abnormal thyroid levels include:

• Cardiovascular system
• Renal system
• Nervous system
• Reproductive system

If you notice any of the signs above, talk to an expert at Katy Internists to learn more about getting tested for abnormal thyroid activity.

How do you treat thyroid disease?

The team at Katy Internists use blood tests to diagnose your condition and determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.

If you have hypothyroidism, your practitioner can prescribe synthetic thyroid hormone medication to rebalance your thyroid levels. Once your thyroid levels get back to normal, the symptoms of your hypothyroidism are reversed.

If you have hyperthyroidism, your practitioner can prescribe medications that aim to bring down your thyroid levels. If your case is advanced, your practitioner may suggest thyroid surgery to remove a part or the whole of your thyroid gland.

If you’re noticing troubling signs that might point to an abnormal thyroid, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment and get tested before complications arise.