What Are the Disorders of Your Thyroid Gland?
There are several types of thyroid disorders:
- Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid
- Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid
- Thyroid nodules, growths that may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant)
What Does the Thyroid Gland Do?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It produces hormones that help regulate many of your body’s functions:
- Metabolism
- Heart rate
- Muscle function and growth
- Digestion
- Brain function
- Bone health
Symptoms of Thyroid Issues
The symptoms of a thyroid problem vary depending on what condition you have.
Hyperthyroid Symptoms
- Racing heartbeat (palpitations)
- Shaky hands
- Jitteriness or difficulty sleeping
- Excess sweating or feeling overheated
- Light and irregular menstrual cycles in women
- Unintentional weight loss
- Frequent bowel movements
Hypothyroid Symptoms
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Feeling cold
Thyroid nodules often cause no symptoms. You may get diagnosed with a nodule when you have imaging for another problem and your provider spots the growth. In rare cases, you may be able to feel a mass at the front of your neck where your thyroid gland is or you may have difficulty swallowing.
When to See an Endocrinologist
Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider if you notice symptoms of a thyroid problem. Your primary care provider will evaluate you with blood tests to find the cause of your symptoms. They may treat you or refer you to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in thyroid disorders.
Find an Endocrinology Specialist
How to Test for Thyroid Disorders
Your endocrinologist will use several tests to diagnose a thyroid disorder:
- Blood tests—A thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test checks your blood levels of TSH. TSH is the hormone your pituitary gland produces. It tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. If your TSH is low, it could mean you have an overactive thyroid. If your TSH levels are high, it could point to an underactive thyroid. Your provider may also order other blood tests to check for thyroid antibodies of an autoimmune condition.
- Neck ultrasound—This test uses sound waves to create an image of your thyroid and look for thyroid nodules or cancer.
- Radioactive iodine uptake and scan—Radioactive iodine will be injected into your vein. Then, your thyroid gland will be scanned for overactivity. This scan will also find the cause of an overactive thyroid due to a nodule or thyroid antibodies.
- Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA)—Some people may need a biopsy to test a thyroid nodule. Your endocrinologist will insert a needle smaller than the one used for a blood test into your thyroid nodule to remove a small sample of cells. They typically will use a neck ultrasound to guide the needle to the correct spot.
What Causes Thyroid Issues?
There are several different causes of thyroid disorders.
- Hyperthyroidism:
- Grave’s disease (an autoimmune condition)
- Benign thyroid nodule (toxic adenoma)
- Multinodual goiter (enlarged thyroid with multiple nodules)
- Thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation)
- Certain medications
- Hypothyroidism:
- Hashimoto’s disease (an autoimmune condition)
- Surgical removal of your thyroid gland
- Certain medications
- Thyroid nodules: Nodules may be genetic, or they may occur for no known reason.
Are Thyroid Disorders Hereditary?
Autoimmune conditions that lead to thyroid problems can run in the family. Some nodules or cancers can also run in families.
Thyroid Treatment
Treatment for thyroid disorders varies depending on what condition you have. Our endocrinologists put together comprehensive, personalized treatment plans to help manage your thyroid symptoms.
Thyroid Medication
Your endocrinologist may prescribe medications or thyroid hormone replacements to treat an overactive or underactive thyroid. They will check your thyroid hormone levels with regular lab tests to monitor your condition.
Radioactive Iodine Scan and Therapy
We may use radioactive iodine scans to treat hyperthyroidism and to monitor for thyroid cancer recurrence. Here's what you can expect during the scan:
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You will visit the hospital's radiology department for an X-ray in the morning.
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You will take a small pill by mouth that contains a tiny dose of radioactive iodine for diagnosis.
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You will get two follow-up X-rays: one 4 hours later and another 24 hours later.
This series of steps helps us plan your treatment with a higher dose pill of radioactive iodine. After you receive treatment, you’ll need to isolate yourself from others for a period of time to avoid exposing them to the radiation. Your care team will give you instructions for isolation after treatment.
Thyroid Cancer Surveillance
If you have thyroid cancer, your care team may monitor your thyroid nodule with regular blood tests, neck ultrasounds, and fine needle aspiration biopsies. These tests check whether the nodule is growing or spreading to the lymph nodes in your neck.
Ethanol Ablation
Ethanol (alcohol) ablation may treat thyroid nodules or cysts. Your endocrinologist will use ultrasound guidance to inject alcohol directly into the nodule or cyst. This alcohol injection reduces the size of the growth and decreases the symptoms caused by it.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment to shrink thyroid nodules. Your endocrinologist will use ultrasound guidance to insert a small needle into the growth. The needle uses heat to destroy (ablate) the tissue strategically and safely.
Thyroid Surgery
You may need surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland in some cases. Thyroid cancer is the most common reason for thyroid removal, but thyroid surgery may also be recommended for some cases of hyperthyroidism.
Refer a Patient to the Thyroid & Parathyroid Clinic
You will need a provider referral to schedule an appointment at the Thyroid & Parathyroid Clinic. Referring providers may call 801-581-7761.
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