Hypothyroidism Specialist

What is hypothyroidism?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped organ in your neck that produces the hormones that regulate your energy levels and metabolism. Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid doesn’t release enough hormones.

Hypothyroidism is most often due to one of two causes. You may have ongoing inflammation that damages your hormone-producing thyroid cells. However, you may also have an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

If you have a condition that requires medical treatment to remove all or part of your thyroid, you will suffer from hypothyroidism. For example, you may need thyroid surgery to remove nodules or to address severe hyperactivity.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroid symptoms tend to develop slowly and may include:

• Weight gain and trouble losing weight
• Fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Dry skin
• Puffy face
• Thinning hair
• Constipation
• Muscle weakness
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Depression
• Memory problems

Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are mistaken as signs of aging, but as your metabolism slows, the symptoms become more severe and interfere with your life and well-being.

How is hypothyroidism diagnosed?

If you’re concerned about hypothyroidism, make an appointment to talk to Dr. Ugwu about your symptoms. He reviews your personal and family medical history with you, as your risk of thyroid problems increases if you have family members who also have thyroid problems.

Dr. Ugwu orders blood tests to measure your thyroid hormone levels, including your thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.

How is hypothyroidism treated?

If your tests confirm that you have hypothyroidism, Dr. Ugwu offers a customized treatment plan to restore your health. In most cases, you’ll need to take synthetic thyroid hormones to restore your hormonal balance. You have frequent appointments with Dr. Ugwu to test your hormone levels and monitor your symptoms. He may need to adjust your prescription to get the balance just right. You need to take the medication for the rest of your life to maintain your hormone levels and health.

Also, Dr. Ugwu can provide advice on adjusting your diet, exercise, and sleep habits to optimize your health and reduce the effects your hypothyroidism has had on your well-being.

Call VNC RealHealth or schedule a consultation online today for expert diagnosis and treatment for hypothyroidism today.