Thyroid

What is the Thyroid?

Your Thyroid gland is located in your neck and produces important hormones that are necessary for your body to function normally. Your Thyroid controls a number of activities in your body, such as how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats.

Your Thyroid gland hormones regulate growth and development through the rate of your metabolism. Your Thyroid gland is responsible for producing the right amount of these important hormones for you to function properly. If your Thyroid gland doesn’t function properly, you have a Thyroid disorder. Thyroid Disorders usually involve an under or overproduction of hormones and bothersome symptoms, such as fatigue or restlessness and rapid weight loss or gain.

Thyroid Disorders are more prevalent in women than men and many experts believe this is due to other hormonal changes that take place following menopause or pregnancy.

What is hypoThyroidism?

HypoThyroidism is a Thyroid disorder that involves the underproduction of hormones. When your Thyroid gland doesn’t produce sufficient hormones that maintain your body’s normal chemical balance, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as:

• Obesity
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light and temperature
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Weakness and muscle aching
• Thinning hair
• Slowed heart rate
• Impaired memory
• Depression

If left untreated, hypoThyroidism can lead to infertility and heart disease. HypoThyroidism in the most advanced and severe cases (myxedema) can be life-threatening.

It’s often difficult to pinpoint a cause of hypoThyroidism, but it can be attributed to:

• Thyroid surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Certain medications
• Pregnancy
• Iodine deficiency

Having an autoimmune disease increases your likelihood of developing hypoThyroidism.

What is hyperThyroidism?

HyperThyroidism involves an overactive Thyroid that produces too much of these hormones and swiftly accelerates your metabolism. Symptoms of hyperThyroidism include:

• Sudden weight loss
• Irregular or fast heartbeat
• Sweating
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Increased appetite
• Thinning skin
• Muscle weakness
• Brittle hair

HyperThyroidism can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms can mimic other conditions. HyperThyroidism is typically caused by:

• Graves’ disease
• Functioning adenoma and toxic multinodular goiter
• Excess intake of Thyroid hormones
• Abnormal Thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the Thyroid gland)
• Excessive iodine intake

Dr. Purgason offers innovative solutions to improve your Thyroid health in Arlington, Texas. Call the office or book online today.