Your thyroid makes hormones that control the body’s energy use. Diseases can cause the thyroid to make too little or too much of this hormone, causing problems like weight gain or fatigue.
Your doctor can diagnose thyroid problems with a physical exam and blood tests. These may include checking the size of your thyroid and thyroxine levels.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. It’s the most common thyroid disorder, affecting about 5 out of 100 people in the United States. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that’s located in the middle of your neck, below the larynx (voice box) and above your clavicles (collarbones). The thyroid produces two hormones called triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These hormones regulate how you use energy and help keep your body working properly.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism are usually slow to develop and can vary widely from person to person. They include fatigue, sluggish metabolism (the way your body uses and stores energy), memory problems, depression, and difficulty concentrating. If you have these symptoms, your doctor will likely check your thyroid function by taking a blood sample and checking the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
An underactive thyroid can also affect your heart. If your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormone, it may cause your heart to beat faster and harder than normal. This can lead to a condition called arrhythmia, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. It can cause chest pain or heart failure. It can also increase your cholesterol levels and raise your risk for high blood pressure, which can lead to strokes and osteoporosis.
Your risk for an underactive thyroid increases with age and is more common in women than men. You’re also more likely to have a thyroid problem if you have a family history of thyroid disease, or if you have other health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia, premature gray hair, or radiation treatment to the head or neck during childhood for cancer or another illness.
If you have an underactive thyroid, your doctor can treat you with medication. These pills, which are safe to take during pregnancy, can restore your hormone levels to normal. Your doctor will probably monitor your progress and change the dosage of your medication as needed, based on results from your blood tests. You’ll need to have a follow-up appointment in 6 weeks and then regularly thereafter, at least once a year.
The thyroid gland produces a hormone called triiodothyronine and thyroxine, which control how the body uses energy. If the thyroid becomes overactive (hyperthyroidism), it releases too much of this hormone into the bloodstream, speeding up the body’s metabolism. This can cause the heart to beat faster than normal, which can lead to a life-threatening condition called tachycardia or arrhythmia. The hormone excess can also trigger a buildup of pressure on the thyroid gland, which is visible as a bulge in the neck (goiter).
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by several things. The most common is Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder. It’s a problem that starts when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid. It’s more common in women than in men. A baby can have hyperthyroidism if its mother has Graves disease and passes antibodies to the child. It goes away after the antibodies clear from the child’s bloodstream, which usually happens within a few weeks.
Another cause is thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid that causes it to leak too much hormone into the bloodstream. This can be caused by infections, radiation exposure, or certain medications. It can also be a symptom of some autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Neonatal Graves disease is a form of hyperthyroidism that occurs in newborn babies whose mothers have Graves disease. It can be prevented by not taking the mother’s thyroid-stimulating antibodies during pregnancy.
Treatment for hyperthyroidism includes medicine to slow down the thyroid’s production of hormone, surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland, or radioiodine treatment that destroys the gland. People who have their thyroid gland removed often need to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of their lives to replace the ones they can no longer make.
Your doctor will check your symptoms and do a physical exam. You may have a blood test to measure your thyroid hormone levels. If they are high, your doctor will want to do a thyroid scan to find out the cause. Your doctor may also suggest other tests to help diagnose your condition.
If a nodule is found to be cancerous, or is found to be overactive (hyperthyroidism) and cannot be treated by medication, surgery may be recommended. Depending on the size of the nodule and ultrasound findings, patients will be evaluated for different surgical options. The most common surgical option is a thyroidectomy, also called a removal of the thyroid gland.
A thyroidectomy is a surgery under general anesthesia. During the procedure, the surgeon makes a horizontal cut in the front of the neck. They then separate the muscles of the neck to access the thyroid gland. The surgeon will remove all or part of the thyroid gland and close the cuts with sutures.
In the hands of experienced surgeons, this operation has a very low rate of complications. There is a risk of bleeding in the neck during or after thyroidectomy; however, this can usually be controlled by placing a small tube (drain) in the area. A patient will typically remain under observation for a few hours in the recovery room to monitor blood pressure, heart rhythm, breathing and calcium levels before going home.
The most serious complication from thyroidectomy is injury to the nerves that control the voice and larynx (voice box). This can result in hoarseness for up to six months after surgery. It is important that preoperative evaluation for vocal cord function be performed to help prevent this complication.
For most people, the pain after a thyroidectomy is minimal. Those that do experience pain often feel it in their neck and throat. If you do feel pain, it is recommended that you take Tylenol or similar medication as directed by your doctor to manage any discomfort.
If a complete thyroidectomy was performed, your body will no longer make its own thyroid hormone and you will need to take levothyroxine (Synthroid or Unithroid) every day for the rest of your life. Your endocrinologist or primary care physician will perform regular blood tests to determine if the dose of your levothyroxine needs to be adjusted. It is important to follow up with your endocrinologist or primary care physician after a thyroidectomy, as they will need to be sure that you are receiving the correct dose of medication.
The thyroid is a powerful force in your body. It controls specific types of hormones that affect how fast your body moves, your heart rate and energy levels, your moods, memory and cognition, your skin, hair and nails. It’s important that it functions properly to achieve optimal health. When your thyroid is under- or overactive, symptoms can develop that impact nearly every aspect of your life.
The first step in treating thyroid problems is to find the source of the imbalance. Depending on the cause, treatment will vary. For example, hyperthyroidism requires treatment that will slow down your thyroid gland’s ability to make hormones, whereas hypothyroidism requires replacement of the hormone that is missing. Your practitioner will determine the best course of action based on your test results and other medical history.
If you have an underactive thyroid, a hormone replacement medication called levothyroxine is the usual treatment. Doctors will monitor your blood to ensure the dose is correct. This is especially important in pregnant women and the elderly, who are more prone to heart problems if the dose of replacement is too high.
People with underlying thyroid problems can also experience symptoms like anxiety, depression or gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms can worsen with stress, so it’s important to find ways to relax and reduce your stress level. Meditation, gentle yoga and tai chi can all help relieve stress and improve your overall well-being.
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any new symptoms or changes in your health. They may perform a physical exam and feel your neck for any lumps or enlarged areas of the thyroid. They may also order a blood test to check the function of your thyroid and to see if you have any swelling of the thyroid. Your doctor may also want to do a radioactive iodine scan to check for nodules on your thyroid. This is a painless test that involves swallowing a small amount of liquid containing iodine, which then collects in any thyroid cells that have extra hormone.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of thyroid disease, schedule an appointment with your BodyLogicMD practitioner today to get the diagnosis and treatment you need. Our practitioners have a holistic approach to healthcare and will work with you to get your thyroid levels back to an optimal range so you can feel your best.
The thyroid is a small but powerful gland that has big effects on how your body functions, including metabolism, heart rate, digestion and moods. If you notice any of the following symptoms, your thyroid might not be working properly.
While some symptoms may seem minor, if left untreated they could worsen. Here are the top warning signs to look out for.
Weight gain is one of the most common symptoms associated with thyroid problems. Your thyroid makes hormones that control how your body uses energy and can influence your mood, heart rate, metabolism, bone health and pregnancy. Problems can cause your thyroid to make too few hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism, or too many, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Your body can also become unbalanced if it’s exposed to certain chemicals or to medications that affect how your thyroid works.
A simple, at-home thyroid exam can help you spot a potential problem. Tip your head back and look at the front of your neck, above your Adam’s apple and below your collarbone. This is the location of your thyroid, shaped like a butterfly and surrounded by glands in your neck. If you see a protrusion or bulge in this area, your thyroid may be enlarged, a sign of hypothyroidism.
Some thyroid problems are inherited (passed down through families). Others develop from other conditions, such as autoimmune disorders that occur when your body’s immune system attacks the thyroid. Some people are at higher risk for thyroid disease than others, including females, people who have family history of thyroid disease and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. A thyroid disorder can cause a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. It can be treated by taking medicine or having surgery.
The thyroid produces hormones that control the speed at which the body uses energy. When it is overactive or underactive, this can affect all parts of the body and cause many different symptoms. These include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold temperatures and an inability to get enough sleep.
The body can also have trouble with digestion, as hormone changes can interfere with the movement of food through the digestive tract. This can lead to constipation. You might also notice a loss of appetite or an increase in thirst. The thyroid gland can also have an effect on the skin, causing it to feel dry or itchy, and the nails may become brittle.
Fatigue is a common symptom of thyroid problems, and if you’re feeling tired for no apparent reason, talk to your doctor. They can do tests to see if you have an underactive or overactive thyroid and prescribe medication if necessary.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. It is brownish red and has a left and right half that look like wings. It weighs less than an ounce. Hormones produced by the thyroid travel through the bloodstream and reach all cells throughout the body, helping the cells turn oxygen and sugar and other body fuel into the energy they need to work. The thyroid is also important for growth and sexual development (puberty) in children.
The thyroid controls metabolism, heart function and a lot more. But it can go awry and cause mood changes. People with thyroid disease may feel irritable, apathetic or angry. They can also feel sad or anxious. These symptoms are linked to the amount of hormones produced by the thyroid. The more hormones produced, the more serious the symptoms are.
Hyperthyroidism causes the body to work in overdrive. As a result, the heart rate increases and people might experience heart palpitations. If you notice these symptoms, call your doctor right away. They will run tests to rule out other causes.
There are different ways to test the thyroid, including a simple self-exam in a mirror. To do it, tilt your head back and look at the front of your neck. The thyroid is in the front of the neck near the Adam’s apple. It’s easy to miss, so make sure you focus on this area.
If your doctor thinks your thyroid isn’t working properly, he or she will probably order an ultrasound of the gland. The test is quick and painless. A healthcare provider will apply gel to the front of your neck. This won’t hurt or stain your skin. They will then use a small probe to see the gland and any nodules on it. A radiologist will interpret the results and discuss treatment options with you. A surgery to remove your thyroid might be necessary if a doctor decides you have a thyroid problem.
Your thyroid gland makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy from food. Your hormone levels can get off balance when the gland isn’t working well. It can cause symptoms such as weight gain, tiredness, brain fog, chills and hair loss.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that’s located at the front of your neck. It’s part of your endocrine system, which produces the chemicals that control how your body works, including your heart rate, mood, metabolism, bone health and pregnancy.
Problems with the thyroid include too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism). Some problems are caused by autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves disease or goiter. Others are due to single or multiple nodules in the thyroid that are overactive (diffuse toxic multi-noduled goiter) or non-functioning thyroid glands that are present from birth (a condition called postpartum thyroiditis).
The first step in diagnosing a thyroid disorder is getting simple blood tests that measure your levels of TSH and thyroxine, or T3 and T4. A doctor may also order radioactive iodine uptake as a diagnostic test if they suspect hypothyroidism. The test measures how the thyroid takes up iodine to see how much hormone it’s making. Once you start taking thyroid replacement medication, your TSH and thyroxine levels should quickly return to normal. Your doctor will check your blood levels periodically to make sure you’re receiving the correct dose of medication.
The thyroid is the master gland that regulates many of the metabolic activities of our bodies. It affects how we use calories, our heart rate, muscle control, our mood and the way our brains develop. So if something goes wrong with it, your whole body will feel the effects.
Irregular menstrual cycles, also called oligomenorrhea, can be a sign of thyroid problems. They can occur when a woman’s hormone levels change, often due to an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, or due to other medical conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If the irregular periods persist, they can lead to infertility and may also be a sign of hypothyroidism, where the thyroid is underactive.
Other symptoms of thyroid issues include dry skin and brittle nails. This is usually because the thyroid is not producing enough hormones, causing a slowed metabolism. Digestion can also be affected, resulting in constipation or diarrhea.
A simple self-exam can help if you think you might have a thyroid problem. Find a mirror and position it so that you can see the thyroid gland on your front neck. This is in the lower part of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. You can see it better if you tilt your head back to look at the space in your neck where the thyroid is located. You can do this anywhere, at any age.
Thyroid problems can cause a range of symptoms. Treatment aims to return thyroid hormone levels to normal. This might be done with drugs or surgery.
If your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) your doctor might prescribe levothyroxine, a pill that contains a synthetic form of the hormone your thyroid makes. This is available in tablet, liquid and soft gel capsule forms.
The thyroid gland produces a variety of hormones that affect multiple bodily functions. Many medical conditions affect the thyroid gland, including benign thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers. Fortunately, doctors can use ultrasound to evaluate the thyroid. Unlike CT scans and X-ray studies, ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body without exposing you to radiation. This imaging test is safe and painless, and it can help diagnose a wide range of medical conditions affecting the thyroid gland.
Ultrasound involves placing a handheld device called a transducer over the front of your neck. The device transmits high-frequency sound waves that create images of the thyroid and surrounding structures, such as the windpipe, esophagus, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. The images produced by the ultrasound machine are live, so you can see them in real time. The procedure is painless, and it requires no special preparation.
Your doctor will apply a water-based gel to the front of your throat to lubricate it and make it easier for the device to move over the area. The gel also helps the sound waves reflect off of the thyroid. Once the gel is in place, your healthcare provider will put the transducer on the front of your neck and move it around a bit to get the best possible images of the thyroid. You may be asked to swallow or bear down to get a better view of the thyroid, depending on what information you and your doctor are trying to obtain from the test.
If you have a nodule, the ultrasound can provide important information about its shape and size and whether it has cysts or is solid. It can also tell if the nodule has calcium deposits in it, which can indicate papillary thyroid cancer. If a nodule is cancerous, your doctor will probably need to perform a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Because of its simplicity, the ultrasound is usually the first test performed when someone has a suspected thyroid disorder. It is commonly done by an endocrinologist, a primary care physician with expertise in thyroid disorders, or a radiologist, but it can also be performed by sonographers who specialize in thyroid and neck ultrasound. The most important factor in getting a good ultrasound is the experience of the technician who performs and interprets it. Ideally, the thyroid ultrasound should be performed by an expert who performs many of these tests on a daily basis.
A radioactive iodine uptake scan is a diagnostic test used to examine thyroid function, especially when blood tests are abnormal. This test involves swallowing a pill containing radioactive iodine, which is absorbed by thyroid tissue and causes the gland to glow brightly in imaging studies. It is also used to identify thyroid tissue present in lymph nodes in the neck, even if no masses are visible or symptoms are absent. The scan can also help determine whether more treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI), such as RAI ablation, will be necessary after thyroid surgery or for cancer patients who have had thyroid radiation therapy or have undergone radioiodine ablation (use of RAI to destroy thyroid cells).
This test may be done in conjunction with a thyroid scan or on its own. A nuclear medicine technician places a probe over the thyroid and records images with a special camera called a gamma scan machine. A radiologist interprets the results of the test and provides a report to your doctor.
During the procedure, you will be asked to lie down and remain still on a narrow table while the camera takes pictures of your thyroid. If you are nervous, bring a friend or family member who can stay with you in the waiting room or drive you home after the test. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water to help the radioactive iodine pass out of your body quickly.
The results of the uptake test show how much thyroid hormone is absorbed by the gland and which parts of the gland are most active. A low uptake usually indicates that your thyroid is inflamed and not producing enough thyroid hormone, or hypothyroidism. An excessive uptake of iodine usually indicates hyperthyroidism, which is most often caused by Graves disease or a single nodule in the thyroid that produces too much thyroid hormone.
Before the test, inform the radiologist if you are breastfeeding or may be pregnant. You should also inform the radiologist of any medications you are taking, including supplements and vitamins. In some cases, your doctor will advise you to discontinue thyroid medications and other heart medications before the test.
A thyroid biopsy is an operation that removes a small sample of your thyroid gland or the lumps (known as nodules) on it to test in a lab. These nodules aren’t usually cancer, but they might be causing other health problems like Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease. These are conditions where your thyroid makes too many hormones or too few, causing you to feel a lot of pressure in your neck or difficulty swallowing. The nodules can also be filled with fluid, which is called a cyst or goiter, and these aren’t dangerous but might need treatment.
The most common type of thyroid biopsy is a fine needle aspiration biopsy. During this procedure, your doctor uses imaging guidance to place a thin needle into your thyroid nodule and aspirate a sample of cells. You might need to have several samples taken. After the biopsy, your doctor will clean the area and put a bandage on it.
Your doctor may give you medicine to make you relax or numb the area before doing this test. You will lie on your back with a pillow under your shoulders and your head tipped back. This position will help your doctor reach the thyroid nodule easier. You will be asked not to cough, talk or swallow during the procedure. You might feel a little discomfort as the needle goes into the nodule and then out again.
If your doctor suspects that the nodule is cancerous, he or she might do a core needle biopsy, which involves using a larger needle to remove a bigger sample of tissue. This isn’t as common, but it might be needed if the results of a fine needle aspiration biopsy don’t provide enough information about the nodule. It’s also used for more serious nodules like those with a high chance of being malignant. If a biopsy shows that the nodule isn’t cancerous, your doctor can decide whether to monitor it or treat it. This might include having thyroid function tests at regular intervals or an ultrasound of the nodule. If the nodule continues to grow or causes symptoms, you might need to have it removed surgically.
A thyroidectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid. It’s usually needed if nodules aren’t cancerous, but are too big or are making too much thyroid hormone. If you have hyperthyroidism, your healthcare provider may need to use anti-thyroid drugs or radioactive iodine to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone produced. This treatment can also cause hypothyroidism, so you’ll need to take thyroid replacement medication for the rest of your life.
To perform the surgery, your surgeon will make a cut through a lower crease in your neck. They’ll take care not to damage the blood vessels, nerves or other structures in your neck. Your doctor may place a drain in the area of your operation to help remove any blood or other fluids that build up. Then they’ll close the cut with stitches.
Before surgery, your doctor will need to know if any of your symptoms are related to thyroid problems. They’ll check your blood pressure and pulse, and will want to know if you have a family history of thyroid disease or other health conditions such as Turner syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis or heart disease. They’ll also need to know if you’ve had any recent thyroid surgeries or other neck procedures.
During the operation, you’ll receive general anesthesia. It’s important to tell your doctor about any allergies or if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking medicines that affect blood clotting (such as warfarin, heparin, aspirin and ibuprofen). Your doctor will also need to know if you’ve been pregnant recently.
You’ll spend a few hours in the hospital after your thyroid surgery. Some patients need to stay overnight, depending on the type of operation they have, how large their goiter is and other factors. Most people who have surgery to remove all or part of their thyroid are able to go home by 10AM the next morning. Before you leave the hospital, your doctor will give you a prescription for thyroid replacement medication. The medication is a synthetic form of the hormone called levothyroxine that your body still needs to function normally.
The thyroid gland makes hormones that control how the body uses energy. If it produces too few or too many hormones, serious health problems can develop.
Cancer treatment can cause thyroid problems, such as a goiter or an overactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Thyroid growths may also occur many years after radiation treatment and begin as slow-growing lumps in the neck.
The thyroid gland produces two hormones, thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). These hormones affect every cell in the body. They support the rate at which fats and carbohydrates are used for energy, control how fast your heart beats, and help to maintain a normal temperature. The thyroid gland can make too much of these hormones for a variety of reasons. The most common is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that stimulates the thyroid to make too many hormones. Graves’ disease can run in families. The symptoms of excess thyroid hormone include weight loss, a rapid heartbeat, and sweating. It can also cause an enlarged thyroid gland, called a goiter, which may look like a lump at the base of the neck.
Your doctor can diagnose hyperthyroidism by taking your medical history and doing a physical exam. Your doctor may also order blood and imaging tests, such as a thyroid scan or radioactive iodine uptake test. A radioactive iodine uptake scan shows how much of the thyroid gland is active by measuring how much iodine it “takes up.” The scan can reveal whether the whole gland or a single area is overactive.
You can treat hyperthyroidism to prevent long-term health problems and to relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Treatment options include medications and surgery.
Antithyroid drugs, such as methimazole (Tapazole) and propylthiouracil (PTU), can quickly reduce the amount of thyroid hormone your body makes. They are available in pills or liquid and can be taken for short periods of time. They are also available in a patch that goes under your skin.
A doctor can also use a thyroid ultrasound to see how well your thyroid is working. The ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your thyroid. This test is painless and noninvasive.
Some people with hyperthyroidism are treated with radioactive iodine therapy. Iodine is a mineral that the thyroid gland needs to function normally. The radioactive iodine takes up the active thyroid cells, and eventually kills them. After treatment, you will need to take thyroid replacement medication. If you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor before using this treatment.
Hypothyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. It is the most common cause of thyroid disease in the United States. The most common cause of primary hypothyroidism is Hashimoto thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid to develop antibodies against itself and stop making hormones. This disease typically develops slowly over time.
The main symptoms of hypothyroidism are weight gain, dry skin, and low energy levels. It may also lead to memory problems and slowed heart rate. In severe untreated cases, hypothyroidism can cause heart failure, and it can also contribute to high cholesterol levels in people who are predisposed to them.
Many people with hypothyroidism are not diagnosed because they do not have any obvious signs and symptoms. This is partly because symptoms like fatigue and achy joints and muscles can also be caused by other health conditions or are normal parts of the aging process (e.g., drowsiness from sleep disorders or the menopausal transition). Symptoms of hypothyroidism can also be mistaken for signs of other illnesses, such as depression or the effects of some medications, such as the antidepressant amitriptyline.
Hypothyroidism can occur at any age. However, it is more common in older adults. Almost all adults who have hypothyroidism are treated with medicines called levothyroxine, which are identical to the thyroid hormones the body normally makes. The dose of these medicines is based on your doctor’s prescription and your body’s needs. The medicine is available in pill form, liquid, and soft gel capsules that may help some people with digestive issues to absorb the medication better.
Some people with hypothyroidism have a condition called subclinical hypothyroidism, which is a mild version of the disorder that is not noticeable to doctors or patients. This condition can be triggered by pregnancy, radiation to the neck or head, or certain cancer medicines.
Women who are planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant should discuss their risk for hypothyroidism with their healthcare providers. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can affect the health of both mother and baby. If a woman is already taking thyroid medicines, she may need to take a higher dose during pregnancy.
A goiter is a mass of tissue that forms around the thyroid gland. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including difficulty swallowing (from the enlarged thyroid squeezing the windpipe) and a feeling of tightness in the throat. A goiter may be caused by cancer, certain medications or radiation treatment for other cancers. It can also be a symptom of an overactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
A common cause of goiter is iodine deficiency. The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. If there is not enough iodine in the diet, the thyroid increases in size to make more hormones. Other causes include Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and thyroiditis, a temporary inflammation of the thyroid caused by a viral infection or pregnancy.
Small benign euthyroid goiters do not require treatment. However, if the goiter is associated with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, medical treatment using levothyroxine can reduce the size of the thyroid and improve symptoms.
If you have a goiter, your doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood tests to check your levels of thyroid hormones. They will also order imaging tests to measure the size of your thyroid and look for nodules. In some cases, a needle biopsy is necessary to determine if the goiter is cancerous. A core biopsy is a more extensive procedure that uses a larger needle to obtain a sample of tissue to be tested for cancer.
Some people with a goiter will experience no compressive symptoms, so their doctors will monitor them with annual TSH tests and ultrasounds. If these goiters increase in size, they will need to undergo surgery. This surgery can be performed by a family physician, internist or endocrinologist. In some cases, it is preferred to have a ENT specialist or an experienced general or endocrine surgeon perform the surgery. In addition to surgery, some people with a goiter will receive radioactive iodine treatment, which involves taking a pill. This treatment will destroy cancerous cells in the thyroid. In most cases, the goiter will also disappear. However, in some people, it may recur or grow to a dangerous size.
Cancer that starts in the thyroid cells can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The most common types of thyroid cancer are papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma and medullary carcinoma. They start in thyroid hormone-producing cells and may spread to other parts of the body. Cancers that begin in other cells of the thyroid gland are rarer. They include lymphoma of the thyroid, which starts in immune system cells, and sarcoma, which begins in connective tissue cells. Cancers of the thyroid are more common in women than in men.
The first step in diagnosing a thyroid problem is usually a physical exam by your health care provider, which includes feeling for any lumps or bumps on the neck. A blood test can check your thyroid hormone levels and other chemicals, including calcitonin. A fine needle aspiration biopsy can also be done to collect a small sample of cells for testing. X-rays, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans can also help find and diagnose thyroid problems.
Other tests can help your doctor decide on the best treatment for you. These include a thyroid function test and an ultrasound of your thyroid nodules to see whether they are functioning normally or not. A radioactive iodine scan can cause your thyroid to shut down, which stops it from making hormones. This is usually done if your cancer treatment causes your thyroid to stop working correctly.
There are many ways to treat thyroid diseases and most people lead full, active lives after a diagnosis. However, you will need to take medication to control your symptoms. Depending on the type of thyroid disease, you will likely need to be treated by several health professionals, such as an ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon, nuclear medicine specialist, head and neck surgeon and radiation oncologist. The type of treatment you receive depends on whether the cancer has spread. You might also need a nurse who specialises in adjusting your medications and providing other forms of support, such as counselling. It is normal to feel a range of emotions after a diagnosis of cancer, including disbelief, uncertainty and fear.