4 Questions to Ask Your Thyroid Specialist

At the front of your neck is a small, butterfly-shaped gland known as the thyroid. Despite its small size, the thyroid gland is responsible for various important processes in the body, including our metabolism, our stress levels, and our overall wellness.

Your thyroid gland’s main function is to produce two important hormones for regulating the body’s metabolism: T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). A properly functioning thyroid ensures that your metabolism is balanced, which allows you to maintain a healthy weight, energy levels, and temperature. The thyroid gland also impacts mental health and stress levels. Disruptions in thyroid hormone levels may cause mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depression, and other mental health concerns.

Because thyroid hormones impact so many bodily functions, a healthy thyroid is crucial for overall wellness. Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can be widespread and affect multiple systems in the body, emphasizing the importance of regular thyroid health check-ups.

Dysfunction of the thyroid gland can result in a variety of symptoms, which vary depending on whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive. If your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism), common symptoms you may experience include:

• Unexplained weight loss.
• An enlargement on the front of the neck (goiter).
• Heat intolerance or excessive sweating.
• Warm, moist skin.
• Frequent bowel movements.
• Anxiety and irritability.
• Shaky hands.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Sleep problems.
• Vision changes.
• Bulging eyes (common with Graves’ disease).
• Hair loss or brittle hair.
• Muscle weakness.
• Irregular menstrual periods.

In contrast, people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) may notice:

• Unexplained, chronic fatigue.
• Unexplained weight gain.
• Heightened sensitivity to cold temperatures.
• Low libido.
• Frequent or heavy menstrual periods.
• Constipation.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands.
• Dry skin and hair.
• Depression.
• Slowed heart rate.

Managing thyroid disease requires the expertise of a specialist. When you visit a thyroid specialist, the process begins with an accurate diagnosis. The doctor will discuss your symptoms in depth and may order diagnostic tests to understand the nature of your condition and exactly how it impacts your wellness.

After an accurate diagnosis is established, the specialist will create a treatment plan that’s specifically tailored to enhance your wellness. Some of the most common approaches to the treatment of thyroid conditions include:

• Antithyroid drugs: Medications like methimazole and propylthiouracil can be prescribed to stop your thyroid from producing hormones.

• Beta-blockers: To manage symptoms of thyroid disease, such as changes in heart rhythm, beta-blockers may be prescribed.

• Radioiodine therapy: If you have hyperthyroidism, you may be a candidate for radioactive iodine therapy, which prevents the thyroid gland from overproducing hormones.

• Surgery: The surgical removal of the thyroid, known as a thyroidectomy, may be recommended in certain cases of thyroid disease.

• Thyroid hormone replacement therapy: If you have an underactive thyroid or have had the gland surgically removed, levothyroxine will be prescribed to regulate your hormonal balance.

Healthcare professionals use various tests to assess how well the thyroid gland is functioning. These include:

• TSH test: Often, the first thing that doctors check is the amount of TSH hormone in your blood. TSH is released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. It is responsible for regulating the levels of T4 and T3 that the thyroid produces.

• T4 test: If the results of the TSH test are inconclusive, the specialist will move on to the T4 test. While high levels of T4 in the blood may indicate an overactive thyroid, low levels of T4 are linked with hypothyroidism.

• T3 test: If the specialist suspects that you may have hypothyroidism despite normal T4 levels, they will perform a T3 test.

• Thyroid antibody tests: Your healthcare provider will assess the levels of antibodies in your blood to detect autoimmune disorders such as Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease.

• Thyroid ultrasound: In some cases, doctors use ultrasound technology to get a closer look at thyroid nodules.

• Radioactive iodine uptake test: Also known as a thyroid uptake test, this approach is used to assess thyroid function and pinpoint the cause of hyperthyroidism.

If you have thyroid issues, schedule a visit with Dr. Vanessa Mack (Dean) to receive comprehensive support in managing your symptoms and improving your wellness. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. 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 the surrounding areas.