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Prime Healthcare Endocrinology Group

Thyroid Disorders

Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism caused by abnormal immune system reactions that attack the thyroid gland and lead to an overproduction of hormones. This is sometimes known as a toxic diffuse goiter and is the most common form of hyperthyroidism.

Like most other immune system irregularities, the cause of Graves' disease is not known, although is believed to be a combination of factors such as age, sex, heredity and stress. It is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 40, and involves natural antibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland, causing it to produce excessive amounts of the hormone thyroxine.

Graves' disease causes many symptoms similar to other types of hyperthyroidism, which may include:

This condition can also cause symptoms within the eyes such as bulging, excess tearing, swollen eyelids and light sensitivity. Some people may experience no symptoms at all from Graves' disease.

Graves' disease can be diagnosed through a blood test and physical examination by your doctor. The blood test will determine the level of thyroid hormones in the blood and compare them to normal levels. 

Treatment for this disease depends on the severity of the condition and the patient's overall health, and may include:

Surgery to remove the thyroid gland is usually only used if more conservative methods have failed. Thyroid surgery often requires lifelong hormone therapy to supply the body with thyroxine. If left untreated, Graves' disease can turn into congestive heart failure or thyrotoxic storm.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common condition that involves an underactive thyroid not producing enough hormones. This condition can lead to obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease. The thyroid is the gland in the front of the neck that controls energy use and metabolic functions. Women over the age of age of 50 are at the highest risk for developing hypothyroidism.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism can vary depending on the severity of the condition, but may include:

Although you may not experience any symptoms at first, they may gradually worsen as your metabolism is affected. Symptoms can take years to develop.

Hypothyroidism can be caused by several different factors that affect the two main hormones of the thyroid, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Improper functioning of the thyroid gland can be caused by:

Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and involves an antibody attack against the thyroid gland, which can affect its ability to produce hormones. 

If you experience signs of hypothyroidism, or if you are at a higher risk for the condition, your doctor may perform blood tests to measure levels of thyroid hormones and TSH. Low levels of thyroxine and high levels of TSH may indicate hypothyroidism.

Thyroid hormone pills are the preferred method of treatment for controlling hypothyroidism. Symptoms usually improve within a week or two of beginning treatment. Hormone pills generally must be taken for the rest of a patient's life in order to remain effective. An increase in hormone production can negatively affect your body's reaction to medication, so it is important to see your doctor regularly while undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism. Most people experience effective results with no side effects or complications with hormone pills. 

Thyroid Cancer

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the throat that controls the body's heart rate, temperatures and metabolism. Cancer of this gland can interrupt these vital functions and lead to other complications as well. Fortunately, thyroid cancer can usually be successfully treated through minimally invasive methods.

Thyroid tumors are somewhat common, but most are not cancerous. Cancer can develop as a result of age, exposure to radiation or a family history of goiters, cancer or other diseases. The thyroid is made up of follicle and C cells, both of which can develop different types of cancer. The main types of thyroid cancer are:

Papillary cancer is the most common form of thyroid cancer and appears as a single mass in one lobe of the thyroid. This disease can affect anyone, but is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Thyroid lymphoma is the only type that does not develop from the cells of the thyroid, beginning instead in the immune system. This type of cancer is considered rare.

Thyroid cancer can be diagnosed through a series of tests including an ultrasound, blood test or fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Once diagnosed, further testing can help determine the stage of the disease and whether or not the cancer has spread.

Surgery is the most common treatment of thyroid cancer because it is the only way to ensure a complete removal of all cancer cells and greatly reduce the risk of recurrence. Thyroid surgery can remove part or all of the thyroid gland and is performed under general anesthesia in a procedure that can last up to 2 hours. Any thyroid surgery usually requires thyroid hormone medication to make up for the removed gland. This medication helps maintain healthy levels of thyroid hormones.

Less commonly used treatments for thyroid cancer include chemotherapy, radiation and thyroid hormone therapy. Although it can often be treated effectively, thyroid cancer is a serious condition that requires medical attention from a skilled and experienced doctor.

Please visit Dr. Diez's website www.endocrine101.com to learn more about thyroid disorders.

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Diseases / Services

• Cushing's Syndrome
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Prolactinoma
• Thyroid Disorders
  • - Graves' Disease
  • - Hypothyroidism
  • - Thyroid Cancer