Thyroid disease is a common endocrine disorder, and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from fatigue and weight gain to depression and anxiety. Being educated on Thyroid Disease will help you better understand the cause, symptoms, and treatments available. 

 You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid condition if you:

• Have a family history of thyroid disease.
• Have a medical condition (these can include pernicious anemia, Type 1 diabetes, primary adrenal insufficiency, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and Turner syndrome).

AFC Urgent Care Springfield has constructed an educative guide that will go over the causes, symptoms, and tests  for Thyroid disease.

How Do You Develop Thyroid Disease? 

The Thyroid gland produces two main hormones : triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Once the Thyroid starts to overproduce hormones (Hyperthyroidism) or once the gland starts to underproduce hormones (hypothyroidism) a thyroid condition is more than likely to  occur.

Other Thyroid Diseases, such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, and Thyroid tumors are very possible and should be taken into account.

Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism are the two common categories when dealing with Thyroid disease.

Hypothyroidism:

With hypothyroidism your thyroid gland can’t make enough hormones to function well.. In hypothyroidism, the gland’s hormone production slows. This, in turn, slows your metabolism, which can lead to weight gain and other symptoms. 

Hyperthyroidism:

As its name suggests, hyperthyroidism occurs when your body makes too much of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), and becomes overactive. If you have hyperthyroidism, you may experience a fast heartbeat, increased appetite, anxiety, sensitivity to heat, or sudden weight loss.

Symptoms Of Thyroid Disease To Look Out For

Thyroid disease symptoms can be easily mistaken for other common diseases or illnesses. If you experience the following symptoms, it’s highly recommended to seek medical attention. 

• Having muscle weakness and tremors.
• Experiencing irregular menstrual periods or having your menstrual cycle stop.
• Feeling sensitive to heat.
• Having vision problems or eye irritation.
• Having trouble sleeping
• Having dry and coarse hair.
• Having a hoarse voice.
• Experiencing an intolerance to cold temperatures.
• Feeling fatigue 
• Gaining weight

Being Diagnosed For Thyroid Disease

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please seek medical attention. Thyroid symptoms can easily be passed as ordinary symptoms to other conditions. Our doctors at AFC Urgent Care Springfield can check your Thyroid gland in a few ways. 

• Blood work can be done to determine the hormone levels
• Your medical history can be brought up to eliminate any other potential condition
• Physical examination (which is painless) can check if there is any abnormality in size or if there is any growth

What To Do If You're Diagnosed With A Thyroid Condition

Exercise is important and a Thyroid condition will not stop someone's daily exercise routine. Dietary change is going to occur, monitoring the Thyroid gland will be a must, and medication and treatment will be part of the person’s lifestyle. Being diagnosed with a Thyroid disease isn’t ideal but it won’t stop your every day routine. 

Let AFC Urgent Care Springfield help Test You For Thyroid Disease

AFC Urgent Care Springfield to help test you for thyroid disease. Our doors are open 7 days a week with no appointment needed. Our medical providers will go over your symptoms and evaluate you for any thyroid condition. Blood work will be needed, giving you the results you’re looking for.

Don’t delay your diagnosis. If you do end up getting diagnosed with a thyroid condition, we’re here to help point you in the right direction to treatment and lifestyle suggestions.