As a trusted thyroid specialist in Thane & Bhiwandi, Dr. Gore provides expert diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and autoimmune thyroid conditions. With accurate testing, tailored treatment, and continuous follow-up, patients can achieve balanced thyroid function and better quality of life.
Thyroid disease is a general term for a medical condition that keeps your thyroid from making the right amount of hormones. It can affect people of all ages.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck under your skin. It’s a part of your endocrine system and controls many of your body’s important functions by producing and releasing thyroid hormones, like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Your thyroid’s main job is to control the speed of your metabolism (metabolic rate). This is the process of how your body transforms the food you consume into energy. All the cells in your body need energy to function. When your thyroid isn’t working properly, it can impact your entire body.
How common is thyroid disease?
Thyroid disease is very common. 42 million people are estimated to suffer from thyroid disease in India.
Thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine disease in the country.
While self-reported goitre or thyroid disorder prevalence was 2.2% in the 2015-2016 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-IV) and 2.9% in the 2019-2021 NFHS-V, experts note many cases remain undiagnosed.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Slower-than-usual heart rate.
Feeling tired (fatigue).
Unexplained weight gain.
Feeling sensitive to cold.
Dry skin and dry and coarse hair.
Depressed mood.
Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia).
Faster-than-usual heart rate (tachycardia).
Difficulty sleeping.
Unexplained weight loss.
Feeling sensitive to heat.
Clammy or sweaty skin.
Feeling anxious, irritable or nervous.
Irregular menstrual cycles or a lack of periods (amenorrhea).
Both conditions can cause an enlarged thyroid (goiter), but it’s more common in hyperthyroidism.
You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid condition if you:
Are female. Females are five to eight times more likely to have a thyroid condition.
Have a family history of thyroid disease.
Have Turner syndrome.
Take a medication that’s high in iodine.
Live in a country or area that doesn’t have iodized table salt, which can lead to iodine deficiency.
Are older than 60, especially if you’re female.
Have received radiation therapy to your head and/or neck.
Your healthcare provider will start by asking about your symptoms and medical history and doing a physical exam. During the exam, they’ll gently feel your thyroid gland to check if it’s enlarged or if there are noticeable nodules.
Your provider will need to use some thyroid tests to confirm a diagnosis. These include:
Blood tests: These tests can tell you if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. There are several types of thyroid blood tests, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 and T4, and thyroid antibodies.
Imaging tests: Imaging tests, like a thyroid ultrasound, help your provider look for nodules (lumps) and/or goiter. Nuclear medicine imaging like a thyroid uptake and scan can help show if nodules are overactive.
How is thyroid disease treated?
Treatment for thyroid disease depends on the type of condition and the cause. The goal is to return your thyroid hormone levels to a healthy range.
If you have hyperthyroidism, treatment options include:
Antithyroid drugs (methimazole and propylthiouracil): These medications stop your thyroid from making hormones.
Radioiodine (radioactive iodine) therapy: This treatment damages the cells of your thyroid, preventing it from making high levels of thyroid hormone.
Beta-blockers: These medications don’t affect your thyroid, but they help manage some symptoms, like rapid heart rate.
Surgery: For a more permanent form of treatment, your healthcare provider may recommend surgically removing your thyroid (thyroidectomy). This will stop it from creating hormones. However, you’ll need to take synthetic (manufactured) thyroid replacement hormones (pills) for the rest of your life.
If you have hypothyroidism, the main treatment option is thyroid replacement medication. It’s a synthetic way to add thyroid hormones back into your body. One medication that providers commonly prescribe is levothyroxine.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
