Understanding Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid disorders are one of the most prevalent conditions facing Americans today. This small butterfly-shaped gland in your throat plays an important role in regulating numerous metabolic processes throughout the body. It is sensitive to even the slightest changes in the body. If the thyroid is not functioning properly (either underactive or overactive), many body functions can be impaired. In diagnosing and properly treating your thyroid disorder, Rapid Healthcare values the importance of listening carefully to your symptoms in conjunction with evaluating your laboratory results.

Symptoms and Types of Thyroid Conditions

If you have thyroid disorder, you are essentially categorized as having too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroid) or too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroid).

Hypothyroidism is essentially an underactive thyroid. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight (despite reduced food intake)
• Coarse, dry hair
• Weakness
• Sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Decreased libido

Hyperthyroid refers to an overactive thyroid gland or producing too much thyroid hormone in the body. Its symptoms can be equally disruptive. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism may include:

• Fatigue or muscle weakness
• Mood swings
• Hand tremors
• Rapid heartbeat
• Irregular heartbeat
• Trouble sleeping
• Weight loss
• Increased frequency of bowel movements
• Light periods or skipping periods

Hashimoto’s Disease is actually an Autoimmune Condition that is often overlooked and treated as simply hypothyroidism, which may further destroy the thyroid. Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease include:

• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Constipation
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Pale, dry skin
• A puffy face
• Hoarse voice
• Unexplained weight gain
• Muscle weakness, aches, tenderness, and stiffness
• Joint pain, aches, and swelling
• Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Depression

Get Treated Today!

If you are concerned that you have a thyroid disorder, let us help you at Rapid Healthcare. Don’t dismiss this importance of this “master gland” in the body or keep suffering its disruptive symptoms when it is malfunctioning. Call our Joliet medical clinic today.