Thyroid Disease Management Questions and Answers

At Suburban HealthCare Associates, we help manage your thyroid diseases. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Naperville IL, Plainfield IL, and Joliet IL.

Thyroid Disease Management Near Me in Naperville IL, Plainfield IL, and Joliet IL

The thyroid gland, which is a small organ located in the front of the neck and wrapped around the windpipe, creates, and produces hormones that play a role in many different systems throughout the body. The gland is shaped like a butterfly: it is small in the middle with two wide wings that extend around the side of the throat. The thyroid gland makes hormones that help control a number of key functions of your body. However, when your thyroid is not working properly, it will impact your entire body. So, when your body produces too much thyroid hormone, you will develop a condition called hyperthyroidism, and if the body produces too little thyroid hormone, it is called hypothyroidism. The conditions for an overactive thyroid or underactive thyroid are very serious and need to be treated by a healthcare provider. More than 12 percent of Americans may end up with a thyroid condition at some point in their lives, and according to the American Thyroid Association, there are nearly 20 million people who have the disease, and as many as 60 percent don’t even know they have it. At Suburban Healthcare Associates, our doctors can help you with thyroid disease management and will help you live a healthy lifestyle.

What are the signs of a bad thyroid?

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause a number of symptoms, which include mood swings, anxiety, nervousness and irritability, persistent tiredness and weakness, sensitivity to heat, swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland, weight loss, trembling or twitching, and an irregular or unusually fast heart rate.

In the case of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), symptoms may involve fatigue, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, increased sensitivity to cold, muscle weakness, hoarseness, elevated cholesterol level, pain, stiffness or swelling in the joints, thinning hair, depression, slower heart rate, and impaired memory. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is known as the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the USA, affecting almost 14 million people. It’s mostly common in middle-aged women and symptoms include: mild weight-gain, dry skin, pale or puffy face, enlarged thyroid, intolerance to the cold, heave and irregular menstruation, fatigue, and depression.

Make sure you see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Thyroid disease management is important. Never avoid contracting a doctor; if you think you have an issue with your thyroid, get it checked now to avoid further complications to your health down the road.

What should thyroid patients avoid?

Having too much iodine will make an overactive thyroid worse and will lead the gland to producing too much thyroid hormone. A person with hyperthyroidism should avoid having large amounts of iodine-rich foods: dairy products, egg yolks, blackstrap molasses, baked good with iodate dough conditioners, food products that contain red dye, iodized salt, fish and shellfish, and seaweed or kelp. Caffeine, which includes coffee, black tea, chocolate, soda, and energy drinks, can also worsen symptoms of an overactive thyroid and should be avoided.

For those with an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, the suggested foods to avoid include foods with soy including miso, tofu and edamame, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, gluten in bread, pasta and rice, fatty foods, sugary foods, processed foods, excess beans from beans and vegetables.

The foods outlined may interfere with the production of thyroid hormone, and actual medications to treat the disease.

Is a thyroid problem serious?

The thyroid gland has an influence on almost all of the metabolic processes in the body, and the disorders range from small, harmless, to life-threatening cancer. However, most of the thyroid problems that exist can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated. Your doctors work with you to properly treat your thyroid issue.

How can I manage my thyroid?

Our team at Suburban Healthcare Associates will work with you to better manage your thyroid problem. We will prescribe the right thyroid medication, encourage exercise and regular physical activity, and help you follow a healthy diet for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism conditions. If you have any concerns or questions about your thyroid, call us at (Naperville, IL), (Plainfield, IL), and (Joliet, IL). Our state-of-the-art healthcare facility offers many services, and our board-certified physicians, nurses, and support team are here and ready to help you with any aspect of your health care. We serve patients from Naperville IL, Plainfield IL, Joliet IL, Woodridge IL, Wolfs IL, Warrenville IL, Crystal Lawns IL, Romeoville IL, Lockport IL, Crest Hill IL, Shorewood IL, Gilletts IL, and Fairmont IL.