Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid Disorders services offered in Alpharetta, GA

Thyroid disorders affect the thyroid gland that controls your body’s metabolism. At Alpha Medical Clinic, board-certified internal medicine physicians, including Dhiraj Patel, MD, and Neil Patel, MD, understand the harm that thyroid problems can cause. They offer comprehensive thyroid disorder support, from diagnosis to treatment, in the Alpharetta, Georgia, office. Call the office or schedule your appointment online today.

What are thyroid disorders?

Thyroid disorders are a collection of problems occurring in and around the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, positioned directly below the Adam’s apple in your neck, produces thyroid hormones that regulate cellular function (metabolism) in your body.

With thyroid disorders, something disrupts or alters thyroid hormone production, which can lead to a number of symptoms throughout your body.

What are the different thyroid disorders?

Thyroid disorders include:

Hypothyroidism: underproduction of thyroid hormones
Hyperthyroidism: overproduction of thyroid hormones
Goiter: thyroid gland enlargement
Nodules: lumps on thyroid gland
Graves’ disease: immune-related thyroid hormone overproduction
Thyroiditis: thyroid gland inflammation
Thyroid cancer: malignant masses on thyroid gland

The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism. It currently affects about 5 out of 100 Americans.

What symptoms do thyroid disorders cause?

Thyroid disorders cause symptoms, such as:

Tiredness or excessive energy
Weight gain or loss
Constipation
Depression
Muscle cramps
Cold or heat sensitivity
Joint swelling
Itchy skin
Swelling in your neck
Difficulty sleeping
Muscle weakness

Many of these symptoms are opposites. The specific symptoms you have depend on your thyroid disorder. For example, hypothyroidism often causes weight gain while hyperthyroidism can cause weight loss.

How are thyroid disorders treated?

After testing and diagnosis, the Alpha Medical Clinic team recommends a personalized thyroid disorder treatment plan attuned to your condition and needs. You may need to take capsules, pills, or liquids (medication or radioactive iodine therapy) as part of your thyroid treatment plan.

Because thyroid disorders can have serious effects on the body, you might need help to return to a healthy state, for example, weight loss management if you gained weight due to hypothyroidism.

Some thyroid disorders aren’t treatable with medication, for example, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer generally require surgery.

If you have hyperthyroidism and can’t tolerate medication or radioactive iodine therapy, or if it’s not effective for you, you’ll likely need surgical thyroid gland removal. After that, you’ll take thyroid medication to replace thyroid hormones.

Thyroid disorder management is an ongoing process, and it’s important to follow your treatment plan closely to avoid a recurrence or worsening of your symptoms. If you suspect a thyroid problem, call Alpha Medical Clinic or schedule an appointment online today.