How to Fix Thyroid Problems
If you suffer from thyroid problems, you may have one of many thyroid conditions that can complicate your health. The only purpose of the thyroid gland is to make thyroid hormones. According to the website Endocrineweb, "This hormone has an effect on nearly all tissues of the body where it increases cellular activity." Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are the most common thyroid problems associated with abnormal hormone levels. Cancer, goiters, solitary nodules and thyroiditis are other complications. If you feel generally unwell, or exhibit a number of symptoms of one of these conditions, a visit to your physician is in order.
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Instructions
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How to Fix Thyroid Problems
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Make an appointment to see your doctor if you exhibit any signs that you may have a thyroid problem. These can include neck enlargement, muscle pain, fragile or dry skin, loss of hair, bowel issues, inability to conceive, menstrual irregularity, weight change, depression and fatigue.
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Have the appropriate tests done to assess the health of your thyroid. The website ThyroidProblems suggests four methods of diagnosis including biopsy, blood test, radioiodine scanning and ultrasound.
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Discuss the results of your tests with your physician. If abnormal results are present, ask if the findings are serious enough that you should be referred to an endocrinologist, a specialist in gland disorders like those of the thyroid.
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Follow the advice of your doctor and take all medications as prescribed. You may be given a medicine called Synthroid if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism or a medicine called Tapazole if you have hyperthyroidism.
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Attend every follow-up appointment scheduled by your doctor. Understand that it may take some time and various tests to fix thyroid problems and get you on the way to feeling better. When you are taking thyroid medication, your hormone levels must be checked frequently until you have normal levels.
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Decide with your doctor over time if the medicine or treatment you are receiving is meeting your health needs. If you have a more-serious condition that is not medicinally treatable, you may consider removal of your thyroid via surgery or radioactive iodine.
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Tips & Warnings
Symptoms are the most important factor when being diagnosed with a thyroid problem. Even if your blood tests are in what your doctor considers a normal range, you still may need treatment.
Aetna's InteliHealth website advises that, "...calcium, iron tablets, iron in multivitamins and the cholesterol-lowering medications cholestyramine and colestipol can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption." You should take your thyroid pill on an empty stomach a few hours before taking anything else.
