Treating Thyroid Disorders

ENT Clinics of San Antonio

Treating Thyroid Disorders

Situated in the middle of the lower neck, the thyroid is a small glad whose primary function is to regulate the body’s metabolism. When operating correctly, the thyroid continuously replenishes the hormones needed to properly convert consumed materials into energy. However, when this function becomes impaired, it can cause immense problems for your overall health. Read on to learn about some of the most common thyroid disorders and how treatment from your local ENT can help treat them!

Hypothyroidism

This condition occurs when the thyroid gland becomes unable to produce the necessary amount of thyroid hormone to correctly regulate the body’s metabolism. As you might expect, when the body experiences this shortage of hormones, the metabolism slows, an effect which can cause fatigue, weight gain, muscle, joint pain, and slowed heart rate.

• Treatment: Hypothyroidism is treated through the prescription of levothyroxine, a synthetic hormone which effectively assumes the role of metabolism regulation. Under the careful eye of an ENT doctor, this treatment helps return you back to a healthy lifestyle!

Hyperthyroidism

While Hypothyroidism reduces the development of hormones, Hyperthyroidism increases it. With an overactive thyroid, the metabolism becomes accelerated, often causing weight loss, irregular heartbeat, increased appetite, and anxiety.

• Treatment: Much like Hypothyroidism, medication is often the preferred method in treating Hyperthyroidism. However, unlike Hypothyroidism, there are a number of different medication routes to take, the choice of which depends on factors such as a patient’s age, physical condition, and underlying Hyperthyroidism cause. Some of these medications include thyroxine, methimazole, propylithiouracil, and beta-blockers. If prescription drugs are not a possibility, thyroid removal surgery can prove necessary.

Thyroid Nodules

Nodules are small lumps that can form along the thyroid. Coming in both solid and fluid-filled forms, the great majority of nodules thankfully turn out to be innocuous and nonthreatening. However, some nodules grow to be so large that they become visibly noticeable and make both swallowing and breathing difficult. Additionally, a small percentage of thyroid nodules turn out to be cancerous.

• Treatment: The proper route of treatment is totally dependent on the unique specifics of the nodule in question. For enlarged, yet benign nodules, either hormone suppression therapy or surgery are the best choices. Surgery is also the usual treatment option for cancerous nodules.

Concerned? Call Your Local ENT!

Thyroid issues can have immense consequences for your body if they are left unchecked. If you suspect that you may have a thyroid issue, set up a consultation with your local ENT physician as soon as you can!