Thyroid Specialist
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GLOBAL FAMILY MEDICINE
Family Medicine located in Bluffton, SC
The thyroid gland in your neck might be small, but it's a hormone-producing powerhouse. If it isn't working properly, the team at Global Family Medicine and Urgent Care can identify the problem and help to optimize your thyroid function. At their office in Bluffton, South Carolina, they have an in-house lab for fast and convenient diagnosis of thyroid problems, and they provide effective treatments to rebalance the hormone levels in your body. If you have symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, call Global Family Medicine and Urgent Care today or book an appointment online.
Thyroid Q & A
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a gland that produces the hormones responsible for regulating your metabolism and other vital bodily functions.
If your thyroid – which is in your neck – is making too much or not enough of these hormones, it can have a variety of adverse effects on your health.
The two conditions that most commonly affect the thyroid are hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
What is hypothyroidism?
If your thyroid isn't releasing enough thyroid hormones, you have hypothyroidism, and your metabolism starts slowing down.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Lack of energy
- Extreme tiredness
- Temperature sensitivity
- Slow heart rate
- Weight gain
- Problems losing weight
- Menstrual changes
- Constipation
- Depression
- Dry hair and skin
- Hair loss
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
These symptoms are fairly vague and could be the result of many other conditions. Women are particularly prone to developing hypothyroidism in middle age, so they often mistake its symptoms for those of perimenopause.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is far less common than hypothyroidism. If you have hyperthyroidism, your thyroid is releasing too much thyroid hormone into your system.
Too much thyroid hormone can cause:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Temperature sensitivity
- Unexpected weight loss
- Palpitations
- Irregular heartbeat
- Problems sleeping
- Thinning skin
- Fine, brittle hair
Most thyroid disorders respond well to treatment. Global Family Medicine and Urgent Care has an on-site lab facility for testing the levels of thyroid hormone in your blood. This gives you a fast and accurate diagnosis as well as follow-up hormone levels for ongoing medication management.
How are thyroid problems treated?
The first step in treating thyroid disorders involves optimizing your thyroid function.
Your diet and lifestyle can affect your thyroid health, so making changes could help optimize your thyroid function. Eating a healthier diet that includes the nutrients your thyroid needs to function correctly is a good place to start.
Exercise, weight loss, and stress management are also important. The Global Family Medicine and Urgent Care providers are experts in functional medicine, identifying everything that could be having an effect on your thyroid health and helping you make any necessary changes.
Do I need medication for thyroid problems?
In addition to optimizing your thyroid function through diet and lifestyle changes, the Global Family Medicine and Urgent Care team uses medication to rebalance the thyroid hormone levels in your body.
If you're low on thyroid hormones, you can take hormone replacement therapy to restore them to a healthier level. For an overactive thyroid, you might need medication that slows down the production of thyroid hormones.
If you have symptoms of a thyroid disorder, don't assume it's aging or menopause related. Visit Global Family Medicine and Urgent Care for expert diagnosis and treatment. You can call the office or use the online booking tool right now.
