Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. Your thyroid gland is just two inches long, but it regulates vital bodywide functions like metabolism by continually secreting hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

When your thyroid doesn't work as it should, you can develop serious health problems.

Thyroid disease means that your thyroid gland doesn’t work properly. In the two main forms of thyroid disease, your thyroid gland makes too little (hypothyroidism) or too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism causes you to use energy more slowly. Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, cold sensitivity, fatigue, thinning hair, dry skin, and muscle weakness. An autoimmune condition, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism causes you to use energy too quickly, leading to symptoms such as restlessness, nervousness, weight loss, heart pounding, heat sensitivity, and insomnia. An autoimmune disorder, Graves' disease, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is the more common of the two conditions. It affects about 5 in 100 Americans, and an equal amount of people have hypothyroidism but don’t have a diagnosis yet. Hyperthyroidism affects around 1 in 100 Americans.

New Wave Physicians Group reviews your medical records and symptoms and then performs diagnostic blood testing in the office. Blood tests can check your T3 and T4 levels, along with your thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroid antibodies, calcitonin, and thyroglobulin if needed.

You may need an ultrasound or other imaging tests. These tests can detect problems like thyroid gland swelling or abnormal growths (nodules).

Thyroid disease treatment can include oral medication and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. For severe thyroid disease, you may need an advanced treatment like radioactive iodine treatment or thyroid gland removal surgery.

If you need a thyroid disease specialist, New Wave Physicians Group comanages your care with a trusted local endocrinologist who specializes in this area.

A thyroid disease diagnosis can be scary, but New Wave Physicians Group is here to support you throughout the treatment process so you can have an excellent quality of life. Book your appointment online or call the office to arrange your consultation today.