Thyroid Disorders
Expert care for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and other thyroid conditions.
What is a thyroid gland?
It is a small butterfly-like gland present in the neck below Adams’ apple. It is part of the endocrine system and produces thyroid hormone, which coordinates several functions in your body.
What is hypothyroidism?
It is a condition when the thyroid gland is underactive, which results in hypothyroidism.
What is Hashimoto’s Disease?
It is also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is a common disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to an underactive thyroid disease called hypothyroidism.
When to see a doctor?
If you have Hashimoto’s signs and symptoms, you should discuss them with your doctor to check thyroid labs. If you have high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), autoimmune disease such as Diabetes Type 1, RA, Lupus, etc., or are pregnant, you should also get screened for thyroid level. Once you are on thyroid medication, and if the symptoms do not resolve for the next 3-6 months, it would be a good idea to consult an endocrinologist to help optimize your thyroid replacement.
How is hypothyroidism Treated?
Hashimoto’s disease treatment may include observation or thyroid replacement medications. Your doctor will decide based on clinical and laboratory data.
Synthetic hormones: Hashimoto hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid replacement. It includes the most commonly prescribed generic synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine or brand name Levoxyl, Synthroid, and Unithroid.
Synthetic levothyroxine is identical to naturally made thyroid hormone, thyroxine (T4) in our body. Levothyroxine is a very inexpensive drug.