“The thyroid really is the engine of your body; it regulates your metabolism, providing the energy you need to function,” says Anupa Sharma, DO, an endocrinologist with Penn Medicine Princeton Medicine Physicians, the primary and specialty care physician network of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “Problems with the thyroid gland impact its ability to produce an essential hormone in the body, and correcting a diagnosed problem can restore your natural balance.”
The most common thyroid condition is hypothyroidism, where the butterfly-shaped gland, located in the front of the neck below the Adam’s apple, stops making enough hormone. Over time, the gland’s function becomes impaired and unable to produce the necessary thyroid hormone, eventually leading to hypothyroidism. In the United States, the most common form of hypothyroidism is known as Hashimoto’s disease. While it is most common in middle-aged women, it can also affect men and children.
Fewer people experience the opposite problem, where the gland produces too much hormone. Known as hyperthyroidism, this condition can be caused by an autoimmune disorder known as Grave’s disease, a viral infection that causes leaking of stored thyroid hormone, or increased activity from thyroid nodules, which are small growths within the thyroid gland.
Medication Can be Effective
“Thyroid conditions are often initially detected and treated by your primary care physician during an annual physical,” says Dr. Sharma, who is board certified in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. “In many cases, simple lab tests can determine if your thyroid is functioning properly, although in some instances further testing may be needed.”
Successful treatment for hypo- and hyperthyroidism often is limited to medication, although in some instances surgery may be needed. If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a daily oral thyroid hormone replacement usually is very effective at restoring thyroid function. If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, an oral medication to block the production of thyroid hormone can be prescribed.
“It is advisable to see your doctor if you have symptoms of either condition,” says Dr. Sharma. “Thyroid disease can have a real impact on your quality of life, but treatments are readily available to help you feel better.”
Watch for These Signs |
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HYPOTHYROIDISM
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HYPERTHYROIDISM
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