If you suddenly lose or gain weight without trying, experience heart palpitations, have hair loss or severe fatigue, thyroid disease might be the reason why. At NorthShore Weight and Metabolism in Amesbury, Massachusetts, board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Dominica Costello can evaluate you in a thorough manner, listen to your symptoms, and do a full workup to evaluate your thyroid status. She has many years of experience treating all types of thyroid disease, to help ease symptoms and prevent complications. Call the office to schedule an appointment or request one online today.
Hypothyroidism or “underactive thyroid” is one of the most common conditions treated by endocrinologists. It’s a health problem that affects your thyroid gland and results in low thyroid hormone levels. Your entire body uses thyroid hormone to function normally, and when the levels are too low, you can experience symptoms and other health issues.
Common signs and symptoms linked to an underactive thyroid include:
Call the NorthShore Weight and Metabolism team if you think you have symptoms that may be related to thyroid disease, and they can evaluate and treat you if indicated.
Hyperthyroidism or “overactive thyroid” is a condition where the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone and causes symptoms like rapid weight loss, palpitations, trouble sleeping, and shakiness. You may also notice a very dry and gritty feeling in your eyes.
The team at NorthShore Weight and Metabolism incorporates laboratory measurements of thyroid levels, as well as self-reported patient symptoms, to properly diagnose and manage thyroid disease. Dr. Costello believes that listening to each patient is at the center of successful outcomes. Occasionally you will need to have an ultrasound of your thyroid gland.
Depending on the type of thyroid disease you have and its severity, Dr. Costello may recommend one or more of the following:
Taking tablets of thyroid hormone to raise the levels in the bloodstream is how hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid is treated. For an overactive thyroid, radioactive iodine or other medications that slow the thyroid can normalize thyroid hormone levels and reduce unpleasant symptoms.
Don’t live with unpleasant symptoms linked with thyroid disease when your thyroid disorder can be treated properly and can offer relief and reduce your risk of complications. Call the NorthShore Weight and Metabolism office to schedule an appointment or request one online today.
