When you have hypothyroidism, you may feel tired and achy, and it can also make losing weight difficult. Internal medicine provider Linda Coleman, MD, and the team at Coleman Primary Care in Sterling, Virginia, offer long-term management of hypothyroidism and support to help control your ongoing symptoms. For a consultation, call Coleman Primary Care or schedule an appointment online today.
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ located in your neck. The thyroid manufactures and secretes hormones collectively known as the thyroid hormones. These hormones serve as chemical messengers and provide information to various systems throughout your body.
Thyroid hormones regulate your body metabolic processes, which impact your heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development, mood, and bone maintenance.
Thyroid disorders are common and affect more women than men. Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and goiters, affect hormone production and balance. When your thyroid hormones are out of balance, you may experience a range of symptoms.
Hypothyroidism is a thyroid condition where your thyroid is underactive or doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone to keep your body well-balanced. When you have hypothyroidism, you may have symptoms such as:
Hypothyroid symptoms may be generalized and nonspecific, and taking your blood levels is the only way to confirm your diagnosis. Symptoms can significantly impact your general feeling of wellness, so if you think you may have symptoms, it’s essential to request a consultation with the team at Coleman Primary Care.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s disease, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. With Hashimoto’s disease, your thyroid tissue is attacked by your immune system, which impairs its normal function and production of thyroid hormones.
Other causes of hypothyroidism include surgical removal of your thyroid, thyroid cancer, radiation treatments, and side effects of some medications.
As part of your initial consultation, your provider at Coleman Primary Care collects information regarding your symptoms, your health history, and takes blood samples. Thyroid-specific blood work includes tests that measure the number of thyroid hormones circulating in your blood, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, and T4.
Once your diagnosis of hypothyroid is confirmed, your treatment may include:
The Coleman Primary Care team strives to treat your hypothyroidism in a holistic and integrated way, which helps to improve your thyroid hormone levels and your overall sense of wellness and health.
For a consultation regarding your hypothyroidism, call Coleman Primary Care or schedule an appointment online today.
