Thyroid And Endocrine Disorders Specialist

What is the thyroid?

Your thyroid is a walnut-shaped gland in your neck that produces important hormones necessary for your body to function normally and optimally.

Your thyroid regulates growth and development and controls many processes and activities in your body like how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats.

Thyroid disorders usually involve an over- or underproduction of hormones and bothersome flaring symptoms like rapid weight loss or gain and fatigue. 

Your thyroid gland is responsible for producing the right amount of these important hormones. If your thyroid doesn’t function properly, you have a thyroid disorder.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a disorder where your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones to maintain your body’s normal chemical balance. This can cause a number of symptoms, including:

• Obesity
• Dry skin
• Muscle weakness and aching
• Thinning hair
• Slowed heart rate
• Impaired memory
• Depression
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Light and temperature sensitivity
• Constipation

It can be difficult to find the exact cause of hypothyroidism, but it might be associated with:

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

Without proper treatment, hypothyroidism can lead to infertility and heart disease. In more advanced and severe cases, hypothyroidism can be life-threatening.

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism happens when you have an overactive thyroid that produces excess hormones and accelerates your metabolism.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

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

Diagnosing hyperthyroidism can be tricky since the symptoms can be similar to some other conditions. Hyperthyroidism might be associated with: 

• Graves’ disease
• Abnormal secretion of thyroid releasing hormone (TSH)
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland)
• Excessive iodine intake
• Functioning adenoma and toxic multinodular goiter
• Excessive intake of thyroid hormones

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease) happens when your immune system attacks your thyroid gland.

Dr. Shapiro can explain these conditions to you and work to determine if any of them are causing your thyroid problems.

What is a goiter?

A goiter refers to an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland that can sometimes make it difficult for you to swallow or breathe. This might be caused by or associated with a lack of iodine in the diet or nodules that develop in the thyroid gland. 

No matter your thyroid disorder, we offer effective treatments like prescription medications, healthy lifestyle changes like nutrition, stress management, and appropriate exercise, radioactive iodine treatment, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy. In some cases, surgery will be necessary.

Your thyroid health has a rippling effect on the rest of your health and the interconnected systems of your body. For personalized care, call Brighton Beach Medical Group or book online today.