Thyroid problems can have different causes, but they all can lead to unpleasant symptoms like aches, pains, depression, and more. The experienced team at Doctors of Bellevue-Redmond in Bellevue, Washington, offer internal medicine services that can identify and treat the cause of your thyroid problems. Call Doctors of Bellevue-Redmond today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.
The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck. It's shaped like a butterfly and regulates your body’s metabolic processes, including heartbeat and how quickly you burn calories. There are different types of thyroid problems that can disrupt these processes.
Some thyroid problems include:
However, the most common thyroid conditions are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
If you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. That can be the result of several factors, including inflammation of the thyroid and thyroid hormone resistance.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Women with hypothyroidism can also experience long menstrual periods with excessive bleeding.
Hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism and occurs when your thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. This condition is usually due to thyroid nodules, excessive iodine consumption, Graves’ disease, or toxic multinodular goiters.
Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
If you’re suffering from hyperthyroidism, you may also notice unexplained nervousness or tremors.
Thyroid problems are typically manageable conditions that aren’t life-threatening.
Based on your symptoms and physical exam, your physician at Doctors of Bellevue-Redmond orders blood tests to measure levels of TSH and thyroid hormones in your system. Depending on your symptoms and blood work, your doctor might also order digital imaging tests like ultrasounds to look for calcifications or cysts.
For some thyroid problems, advanced testing is necessary. These scans involve using radioactive iodine to evaluate the function of thyroid nodules. Fine needle aspiration and biopsies are also done in some cases to diagnose thyroid conditions based on tissue samples.
Most thyroid problems like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism respond effectively to medications. However, in extreme cases, surgery is required to remove nodules, large goiters, or the entire thyroid gland.
If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with a thyroid disorder, call Doctors of Bellevue-Redmond or schedule an appointment online.