At West Coast Ear, Nose, and Throat, our doctors know that thyroid disorders are relatively common, and because of this, we understand the importance of thyroid testing, thyroid medication, and thyroid surgery in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo, CA.

What Are the Signs of Thyroid Issues?

Increased/Decreased Heart Rate

The health of the thyroid can have a direct impact on your cardiovascular health. For example, hyperthyroidism can result in an increased heart rate, while hypothyroidism can result in a slowed heart rate. With hyperthyroidism, your arteries may end up losing elasticity, leading to high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. With hypothyroidism, you can develop high blood pressure as well, in addition to irregular, faster, harder heartbeats and chest pains.

Fatigue

Fatigue is incredibly common in those who have thyroid disorders. It tends to be the first sign of an issue. You may find that you are sleeping more or finding it hard to wake up in the morning and stay awake. These concerns are serious and may be a sign of an underlying issue, such as a thyroid problem, especially when presented with some of these other symptoms and should be discussed with your doctor.

Weight Gain/Loss

Rapid weight gain and loss is yet another sign that you may have thyroid disease. When you don’t have enough energy to get up and around like usual, you can’t burn the normal number of calories to maintain your normal, healthy weight. On the flip side, when you have an excess amount of energy, your metabolism will work too quickly, resulting in rapid weight loss.

Some other signs of thyroid issues include the following:

● Body shakes
● Difficulty concentrating
● Hair thinning or loss
● Irritability or other mood issues
● Sensitivity to heat/cold
● Muscle aches
● Digestive issues
● Changes in sexual performance
● Changes in the menstrual cycle

How Are Thyroid Problems Treated?

As soon as you have identified the symptoms of a thyroid issue and believe you may have a thyroid problem, you may be curious about how it may be treated. Although other treatment options may be available, there are two primary ways for thyroid issues to be treated: medication and thyroid surgery in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo, CA.

Thyroid Medication

There are numerous prescription medications that can be used to treat both types of thyroid issues. Some are in the form of a capsule or pill, while others come in the form of an injection. Depending on the extent of your disorder, medication may be the route to take.

Thyroid Surgery

In some cases, thyroid surgery is necessary to remove the thyroid. This tends to be the case with hyperthyroidism, as it can be resistant to medication. After the surgery, medication is usually prescribed.

If you believe you are experiencing signs of thyroid issues, call (805) 379-9646, (805) 527-7320, (805) 983-0395, or (805) 484-5929 to schedule thyroid testing at West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat today. Afterward, we can help determine the best course of action, be it thyroid medication or thyroid surgery in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo, CA.