Thyroid Disease Specialist
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Diligent Medical Care, PC
Board Certified Internal Medicine & Primary Care located in Union City, NJ
Twenty million people in the United States have thyroid disease. At Diligent Medical Care, PC, in Union City, New Jersey, Mohammad Chaudhry, MD, and Sharon Mirante, APN, diagnose and treat all types of thyroid disease to reduce the symptoms of an overactive or underactive thyroid. To learn more and find out if you have thyroid disease, use the online booking tool or call the practice to schedule an appointment.
Thyroid Disease Q & A
What is thyroid disease?
Thyroid disease, or abnormal thyroid, is any condition affecting the hormones produced by the thyroid gland in your neck. When your thyroid makes too much or too little hormones it’s called thyroid disease.
There are several types of thyroid disease, including:
Hyperthyroidism
When your thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone your body uses energy too quickly. This is called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism makes you tired, causes rapid heart rate, nervousness, and weight loss.
Hypothyroidism
When your thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones, it’s called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism makes you feel tired, have sensitivity to the cold, and may cause weight gain.
Thyroiditis
When your thyroid is inflamed it’s called thyroiditis. Thyroiditis causes either high or low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder and the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis tends to run in families and involves chronic inflammation of the thyroid.
Who is at risk for thyroid disease?
Thyroid disease can affect male and females at any age but women are five to eight times more likely to develop a thyroid condition than men. Other risk factors that contribute to thyroid disease include:
- Having family members with thyroid disease
- Being age 60 or older
- Have had thyroid condition or cancer treatment
Some medical conditions also make you more susceptible to developing thyroid disease, including Type 1 diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, primary adrenal insufficiency, Turner syndrome, or Sjögren’s syndrome.
What are the symptoms of thyroid disease?
Thyroid disease symptoms depend on whether you have an overactive or underactive thyroid. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) symptoms include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Weight loss
- Muscle weakness
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Sensitive to heat
- Vision problems
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Frequent or heavy menstrual periods
- Forgetfulness
- Sensitive to cold temperatures
- Dry or coarse hair
Thyroid disease is sometimes hard to diagnose because the symptoms can be confused with other conditions. Diligent Medical Care, PC, uses blood tests, physical exams, and imaging tests to confirm a thyroid disease diagnosis. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms related to under or overactive thyroid, call Diligent Medical Care, PC, or schedule an appointment online for diagnosis and treatment.