Thyroid disorders are a common condition, affecting over one in eight women and 12% of the total US population. There are a variety of reasons you could be experiencing problems with your thyroid gland in your neck, but it is important to seek treatment as soon as you realize something is wrong. Thyroid Disease affects your entire body, not just your energy levels so symptoms can vary and may include changes in sleep, appetite and weight, constipation, temperature sensitivity, and more.
It’s common for many Thyroid tests to come back normal, which is why Dr. Reen ensures he looks at more than just the numbers, but the patient as a whole. Great advances have been made in thyroid care, meaning most chronic conditions can be well-managed, and cancer can typically respond well to thyroid treatment in Ridgecrest.
We know that treating a disorder is only part of treating a patient. True wellness requires a commitment to getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your health habits so we can develop the most comprehensive plan of care. With over 15 years of experience treating patients with Thyroid Disease, Dr. Reen ensures each plan of care is as unique as the person it’s developed for.
Possible Causes and Symptoms of Thyroid Disease
There are two principal types of thyroid disease that treatments in Ridgecrest could help manage and ideally correct for the long-term. Specifically, thyroid diseases could be due to insufficient thyroid hormone levels, known as hypothyroidism, or from an excess of hormones, known as hyperthyroidism. The cause of abnormal thyroid hormone levels is often another underlying medical condition that affects the functioning of the thyroid glands, such as an iron deficiency.
Hyperthyroidism symptoms often include heat sensitivity, muscle weakness, tremors, weight loss, sleep disturbances, and increases in nervousness, anxiety, and irritability. In addition, individuals in Ridgecrest with hyperthyroidism may experience eye irritation, vision problems, irregular or missed menstrual periods, and enlarged thyroid glands.
On the other hand, hypothyroidism could cause symptoms including a hoarse voice, increasingly forgetfulness, weight gain, and daytime or general fatigue. Some patients may also develop coarse or dry hair, a decreased tolerance for cold temperatures, and heavy, frequent menstrual periods. Unfortunately, due to the highly general nature of most thyroid disease symptoms of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, many people do not recognize the warning signs in the beginning stages.
Thyroid Disorders Manageable with Treatment
Individuals who suffer from an excess of thyroid hormones have several thyroid treatment options in Ridgecrest. Standard treatment methods include medications, such as anti-thyroid drugs that prevent the thyroid gland from generating hormones. In addition, medications known as beta-blockers are a possible hyperthyroidism treatment, but they do not alter thyroid hormone levels, instead only managing symptoms.
Radioactive iodine treatments could damage defective cells and reduce abnormally high thyroid hormone production for individuals with thyroid cancer. In significantly more severe cases of hyperthyroidism, surgery to remove the thyroid could provide a permanent solution, but patients will need replacement hormones for the remainder of their life.
Hypothyroidism patients primarily have one treatment option to increase their thyroid hormone production with replacement medication. The typical drug choice, levothyroxine, provides additional thyroid hormones to the bloodstream with one oral capsule taken daily. However, other prescription medications may help you manage hypothyroidism symptoms for the long term and may be better suited for your particular set of symptoms.
Get More Information on Thyroid Treatment Options in Ridgecrest
Thyroid hormones are primarily responsible for regulating your metabolism and the energy consumption necessary for your body to function correctly. Due to this, there are significant physical impacts when thyroid hormone levels become excessive or insufficient, resulting in hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Thyroid treatment in Ridgecrest offers hormone replacement medication for hypothyroidism patients to restore adequate levels of thyroid hormones.
Alternatively, hyperthyroidism patients may take several supplements and medications to manage hormone levels but may need surgery in extreme instances. Since thyroid disease symptoms are often confused for other medical concerns and typical periods of hormone changes, you should seek treatment as soon as you begin to notice symptoms. The best method to determine the right treatment approach and to get an accurate thyroid disease diagnosis is by scheduling an in-person examination with a professional at Reen Medical Group.
