Thyroid Disorders

Know more about hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and other disorders

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a gland that is located on the anterior part of the neck right below the adam’s apple.  It is an endocrine gland responsible for the production of hormones which regulate the body’s metabolism and energy.  It is also the only structure in the body capable of iodine absorption.  Any abnormality in the thyroid can cause drastic changes in energy and weight and also cause many negative symptoms to appear.  Currently, thyroid disorders affect over 20 million people in the U.S. alone, making it one of the most common conditions in America.

What are common thyroid disorders?

                 There are three main thyroid disorders that affect the majority of diagnosed patients: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules.  Beyond these three are many other thyroid disorders but they are much less prevalent.  Unfortunately, the onset of symptoms is very gradual and they can be misinterpreted as other diseases, making misdiagnosis common.

What is the best advice regarding thyroid levels?

                  Get your physician to measure T3 and T4 levels everytime you get a physical.  To determine most of these thyroid disorders, you need a baseline T3 and T4 levels from prior years.