Thyroid

Understanding Your Thyroid Health

Your thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of your neck, yet it plays an enormous role in your body. It’s an essential part of the endocrine system, producing hormones that regulate your metabolism — the rate at which your body uses energy. These hormones influence almost every organ, affecting your heart rate, body temperature, weight, energy levels and mood.

When your thyroid produces too much or too little hormone, or if structural changes occur, it can significantly impact your well-being. The good news is that most thyroid conditions are manageable with proper diagnosis and treatment.

Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This slows down your body’s metabolism. The most common cause is the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Key Symptoms May Include:

Persistent fatigue and lethargy
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Increased sensitivity to cold
Dry skin and brittle hair
Constipation
Depression or low mood
Slower heart rate

Treatment

Hypothyroidism is typically treated with a daily replacement of the thyroid hormone, usually in the form of a synthetic hormone medication.

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism — it occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, speeding up your body’s metabolism. The most common cause is the autoimmune condition Graves’ disease.

Key Symptoms May Include:

Unexplained weight loss despite increased appetite
Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
Anxiety, nervousness, and irritability
Increased sensitivity to heat and excessive sweating
Tremors (shaking of the hands and fingers)
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Muscle weakness

Treatment

Treatment options vary and may include anti-thyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy or surgery (thyroidectomy).

Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules are lumps or growths that form within the thyroid gland. They are very common, and most are benign (non-cancerous). They can be solid or fluid-filled (cysts).

When to Seek Evaluation

While most nodules are harmless and don’t cause symptoms, a small percentage can be cancerous or can grow large enough to cause symptoms like:

Swelling or a lump in the neck
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
A change in your voice

Diagnosis

Nodules are often discovered incidentally during routine exams or imaging. Evaluation typically involves a physical exam, blood tests, and an ultrasound. A Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsy may be recommended to determine if the nodule is cancerous.

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that begins in the cells of the thyroid gland. Fortunately, the most common types are highly treatable and curable.

The most common types are Papillary and Follicular thyroid cancer, which generally have an excellent prognosis. Rarer, more aggressive forms include Medullary and Anaplastic thyroid cancer.

The primary sign is often a painless lump or nodule in the neck. Other symptoms can include:

Hoarseness or other voice changes
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Pain in the neck

Treatment

Treatment usually involves surgery (thyroidectomy) to remove the gland, sometimes followed by radioactive iodine therapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Ready to Take Control of Your Thyroid Health?

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, seeking a second opinion, or experiencing symptoms that concern you, our specialized team is here to help.