Thyroid Specialist in Scottsdale, AZ

Thyroid conditions prevent the thyroid from working correctly, causing either an overproduction or deficiency of the thyroid hormones. Four of the more common thyroid disorders are:

Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone and the body uses energy too quickly, affecting sleep and causing, an elevated heart rate, weight loss, and other symptoms.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid makes too little thyroid hormone causing fatigue, weight gain, and, in some cases, intolerance to cold temperatures.

Thyroiditis is the swelling, or inflammation, of the thyroid gland which can lead to over-or under-production of the thyroid hormone. It can be either be a painful or painless condition and can last for a few weeks or months.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an inherited autoimmune condition caused by the body attacking and damaging the thyroid. This is the most common form of thyroiditis and is approximately five times more common in women than in men. It is a painless condition and usually results in hypothyroidism, requiring thyroid hormone replacement treatment to rectify it.

There are a variety of symptoms that could suggest thyroid disease. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often very similar to the signs of other medical conditions which can make it difficult to know if they are due to a thyroid issue or something else entirely.

Generally speaking, the symptoms of thyroid disease can be divided into two groups — those related to hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include:

• Anxiety, irritability, and nervousness
• Trouble sleeping
• Losing weight
• An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
• Muscle weakness and/or tremors
• Irregular, or cessation of, menstrual cycle
• Sensitivity to heat
• Vision problems or eye irritation

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:

• Feeling tired
• Gaining weight
• Being forgetful
• Frequent and heavy menstrual periods
• Dry and coarse hair
• Hoarse voice
• Intolerance to cold temperatures

The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. This condition can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, depression, and sensitivity to cold. Hypothyroidism is more common in women, especially as they age. It can often be managed with medication to help restore hormone levels to normal. Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is essential for those diagnosed with hypothyroidism to ensure proper treatment.

The two main types of thyroid disorders – hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism – are caused by other conditions that impact the way the thyroid gland works.

Conditions that can cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) include:

• Thyroiditis (see above)

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (see above)

• Postpartum thyroiditis: usually temporary; occurs in 5% to 9% of women following childbirth.

• Iodine deficiency: iodine is used by the thyroid to produce hormones – when there is not enough iodine fewer hormones will be produced.

• A non-functioning thyroid gland: In some cases, the thyroid gland doesn’t work correctly from birth and if left untreated can cause physical and mental issues in the future. Newborns are given a blood test in the hospital to check their thyroid function.

Conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) include:

• Graves’ disease: the entire thyroid gland may be overactive resulting in an overproduction of the hormones; this problem is also called diffuse toxic goiter, or an enlarged thyroid gland.

• Nodules within the thyroid. These are abnormal growths that form a lump within the thyroid gland, and whilst the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign, a small number will contain thyroid cancer.

• Thyroiditis (see above)

• Excessive iodine: too much iodine in the body causes the thyroid to make more thyroid hormones than it needs. Sources of excessive iodine can include some medications and cough syrups, radiology procedures, and eating too much of a certain food such as kelp (seaweed).

In addition to thyroid care, our team at Infinite Wellness Hormone Specialists also offer hormone therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy, and specialized treatments focused on women’s health to help optimize overall well-being and balance. To learn more about the services and conditions we treat in our clinic, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located at 7373 N Scottsdale Road, Suite B270, Scottsdale, AZ 85253. We serve patients from Scottsdale AZ, Tempe AZ, Mesa AZ, Paradise Valley AZ, Chandler AZ, Phoenix AZ and BEYOND!