Thyroid
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Summit Primary Care
Family Medicine located in Denver, CO, Colorado Springs, CO, Pueblo, CO & La Junta, CO
The thyroid gland regulates your metabolism and sends hormones throughout your body that affect nearly every vital function. That means you can develop a wide range of symptoms due to a thyroid problem. The compassionate team at Summit Primary Care specializes in determining the cause of your symptoms and treating your thyroid condition, restoring your health and energy. To schedule an appointment, call one of the offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, La Junta, or Pueblo, Colorado, or book online today.
Thyroid Q & A
How does the thyroid gland support my health?
Your thyroid gland produces three essential hormones. One of them maintains strong bones by regulating blood levels of calcium.
The other two hormones, collectively called thyroid hormones, regulate nearly every system in your body, including your:
- Metabolism
- Heart rate
- Bodyweight
- Muscle strength
- Cholesterol levels
- Body temperature
- Menstrual cycles
Your body tightly controls the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. When thyroid levels go above or below the normal range, you develop hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
What symptoms occur with hyperthyroidism?
When an overactive thyroid gland raises your blood levels of hormones, you have hyperthyroidism. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Hand tremors
- Insomnia
- Thinning skin
- Frizzy, brittle hair
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Increased sensitivity to heat
Hyperthyroidism may also cause thyroid nodules and osteoporosis.
What symptoms occur if I have hypothyroidism?
When your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, you have a condition called hypothyroidism. Low thyroid hormones cause symptoms such as:
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Hoarseness
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Puffy face
- Constipation
- Sensitivity to cold
Hypothyroidism can slow your heart rate and cause high cholesterol and neuropathy.
What type of thyroid problem causes a goiter?
A goiter develops when your thyroid gland becomes enlarged. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules can all cause a goiter.
How are thyroid conditions treated?
Your Summit Primary Care provider reviews your medical history, performs a thorough physical exam, and then draws blood to test your thyroid hormone levels.
The treatment you receive depends on the underlying thyroid condition:
Hyperthyroidism treatment
The best treatment for hyperthyroidism depends on variables like the cause of the condition, your age, and your overall health. Possible treatments include taking radioactive iodine, medication, or surgery.
Radioactive iodine makes the gland shrink, while medications may reduce hormone production. Most patients only need surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland if they have thyroid nodules that keep producing hormones.
Hypothyroidism treatment
Patients with hypothyroidism need to take thyroid hormones to restore normal hormone levels. Most symptoms go away once your hormone levels return to normal, but you may need to make dietary and exercise changes to lose weight.
Goiter treatment
Treating hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism often takes care of a goiter. Otherwise, you may need surgery to remove the goiter.
If you have symptoms of a thyroid imbalance, call Summit Primary Care or schedule an appointment online today.