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Common Symptoms of Thyroid Complications
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be having issues with your thyroid:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight changes
- Intolerance to cold temperatures
- Brittle fingernails
- Hair thinning or loss
- Constipation
- Depression
- Mood swings
Diagnosing Thyroid Complications
If you are experiencing, any of the above symptoms, it is a good idea to visit your doctor for a thyroid screening. This simple blood test is able to differentiate if your thyroid hormone levels are too high or too low and can allow your doctor to come up with a diagnosis and begin a treatment plan.
Types of Thyroid Conditions
If your thyroid screening results come back with abnormal results, you may have one of the following thyroid conditions:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
- Thyroid nodules (lumps)
- Thyroid cancer
Treatment Options
Your doctor will be able to recommend which treatment option is best for your particular case.
If it is determined that you have an underactive thyroid, hormone replacement therapy is the most common form of treatment. This involves taking a daily medication that replaces the hormones not being produced by your thyroid.
If your test results show you have an overactive thyroid, medications can be prescribed to reduce the amount of thyroid hormones being produced.
Surgery may be necessary in some cases, such as to remove any suspicious nodules or a goiter.
No matter what the results of your screening, thyroid disorder can usually be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.
Additional Resources
If you would like to find out more information about thyroid issues, please consult the following resources:
