What is thyroid management?

The thyroid (a gland in your neck) produces hormones your body needs for various functions, including regulating metabolism and energy levels.

Thyroid management helps people with disorders originating in this gland lead healthier, longer lives.

Are there different kinds of thyroid disorders?

The two primary thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism

This disorder results from an underactive thyroid gland that doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. The result is a slow metabolism, causing symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, temperature sensitivity, and constipation. The leading cause is an autoimmune condition, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Hyperthyroidism

In contrast to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism is where your thyroid gland produces excessive quantities of hormones. This results in an accelerated metabolism, with common symptoms including weight loss, anxiety, heat intolerance, rapid heartbeat, and tremors. The leading cause is Graves’ disease, another autoimmune condition.

Other disorders affecting the thyroid gland include thyroid nodules (abnormal growths) and thyroid cancer.

How are thyroid disorders diagnosed?

To diagnose thyroid disorder symptoms, your Michigan Avenue Primary Care specialist completes a physical exam, takes your medical and family history, and discusses your symptoms.

They take blood at the practice’s onsite lab for thorough thyroid function analysis. Blood tests measure your thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4, and TSH) to identify abnormalities.

You might also need imaging studies and/or a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, where your provider extracts a thyroid tissue sample for lab testing.

Thyroid disorders are often incurable but treatable. Early diagnosis and chronic disease management effectively control symptoms and improve quality of life.

What does thyroid management involve?

Thyroid management varies depending on your condition and its severity. Options include:

Medication management

Patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism receive personalized medication management plans. Your plan would include antithyroid medications for hyperthyroidism or thyroid hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism.

Thyroid cancer management

If you have thyroid cancer, Michigan Avenue Primary Care works closely with oncologists (cancer specialists) to deliver optimal results. Your treatment plan might include radioactive iodine therapy, surgery, or chemotherapy.

Lifestyle modifications

Your provider offers guidance on lifestyle modifications to support thyroid health, such as learning stress management techniques and making dietary changes.

How often you need thyroid function testing depends on your medical history, symptoms, and general health. People with diagnosed thyroid disorders require regular monitoring, while those with no symptoms need less frequent testing. A thyroid test may be part of your annual wellness visit so that any concerns are caught early and management may begin.

Call Michigan Avenue Primary Care to arrange an assessment or book a thyroid management appointment online today. Telehealth and same-day appointments are also available.