Thyroid Conditions

More than 12% of Americans develop a thyroid disease during their lifetime. Left untreated, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and other thyroid conditions might cause bothersome or dangerous complications. At Ruth Odoi Internal Medicine in Rochester, New York, compassionate physician Ruth Odoi, MD, diagnoses and treats thyroid disorders to eliminate symptoms and optimize your overall health. Schedule an appointment by phone or online today. 

What are thyroid conditions?

Thyroid diseases are conditions that affect your thyroid gland, the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck responsible for making and releasing thyroid hormones. Examples include triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which help control your body’s metabolism. 

Fortunately, medication management and other treatments balance your body’s thyroid hormone levels.

What are the types of thyroid conditions?

The different types of thyroid disorders include:

• Hypothyroidism: too little thyroid hormone production
• Hyperthyroidism: too much thyroid hormone production 
• Thyroiditis: inflammation of the thyroid gland
• Goiter: enlarged thyroid gland
• Thyroid cancer: cancer of the thyroid gland
• Thyroid nodules: lumps on the thyroid gland

About 20 million people in the United States have a form of thyroid disease. 

What are the symptoms of thyroid conditions?

Symptoms of thyroid diseases vary based on the thyroid condition and may include:

• Increased or decreased heart rate
• Fatigue
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Cold or heat sensitivity
• Dry skin or hair
• Depressed mood
• Anxiousness
• Nervousness
• Irritability 
• Heavy menstruation in women
• Irregular or lack of menstrual cycles 
• Sweaty or clammy skin
• Difficulty sleeping
• Visible goiter on the neck

Hypothyroidism can slow your metabolism, while hyperthyroidism increases it too much. Left untreated, thyroid disease may boost your chance of a stroke, heart problems, peripheral neuropathy, depression, and other mood disorders.

What are the risk factors for thyroid conditions?

The risk of thyroid conditions may increase because of:

• Family history of thyroid disorders 
• Turner syndrome
• Some medications
• Low-iodine diet
• Being over age 60
• Autoimmune diseases
• Type 1 diabetes
• Pernicious anemia
• Celiac disease
• Addison’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Lupus
• Radiation therapy to the neck or head
• Being female

Women are 5-8 times more likely than men to have a thyroid disorder. 

How are thyroid conditions diagnosed?

Dr. Odoi discusses your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history to learn if you’re at risk or if you have been diagnosed with thyroid disease. 

She also completes a physical exam and examines the thyroid gland in your neck to determine if it has noticeable nodules or feels enlarged. You might need blood tests, an ultrasound, or a biopsy.

How is thyroid disease treated?

Your customized thyroid disease treatment plan may include:

• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Dietary supplements
• Medications
• Radioiodine therapy
• Thyroid surgery

Follow up with Dr. Odoi periodically to ensure your thyroid hormone levels stay within a healthy range.

Schedule an appointment at Ruth Odoi Internal Medicine by phone or online today to address  thyroid conditions.