Hypothyroidism Treatment

Hypothyroidism Treatment in San Diego

Finding the right hypothyroidism treatment is difficult, but Achieve Concierge can help. Our expert clinicians can analyze a patient’s thyroid hormone levels and hypothyroidism symptoms, then offer one or more personalized treatment options.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that results in an underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck, and it releases thyroid hormones that the body uses to regulate metabolism, breathing, heart rate, and other vital functions.

Hypothyroidism prevents the thyroid gland from producing sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. In this instance, the body lacks the necessary thyroid hormones to keep different body functions running properly.

Hypothyroidism can occur at any time, and there are many reasons why hypothyroidism occurs, including:

• Autoimmune Disease: An autoimmune disorder causes the body to produce antibodies that attack the immune system.
• Thyroid Surgery: The removal of a portion of the thyroid gland or the entire thyroid may reduce a person’s thyroid hormone production, leading to permanent hypothyroidism.
• Radiation Therapy: The use of radiation to treat head and neck cancers sometimes affects the thyroid gland and leads to hypothyroidism.
• Medication: Lithium and other medications used to treat psychiatric disorders may contribute to hypothyroidism.

In rare cases, hypothyroidism also affects those who are dealing with a pituitary disorder, pregnancy, iodine deficiency, or congenital disease. Meanwhile, no one is immune to hypothyroidism — in fact, the condition affects men, women, and children. But hypothyroidism is treatable, and if the warning signs are identified then one can take the necessary steps to safely and effectively treat the condition.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are often similar to or the same as those associated with other medical disorders, which can make it difficult to properly diagnose and treat this problem. Common hypothyroidism symptoms include fatigue, dry skin, constipation, joint pain, and muscle aches, Mayo Clinic states. In some instances, hypothyroidism patients may experience elevated blood cholesterol levels, weight gain, and memory loss as well.

If an individual displays any of the aforementioned hypothyroidism symptoms, it is important to meet with a physician to determine if his or her symptoms are related to hypothyroidism. If a physician believes a patient is dealing with hypothyroidism, he or she then creates a personalized hypothyroidism treatment program.

Generally, hypothyroidism treatment involves daily use of an oral medication called synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. The amount of levothyroxine varies based on the hypothyroidism patient, and this form of thyroid replacement therapy helps a patient restore adequate hormone levels and reduce hypothyroidism symptoms.

Thyroid replacement therapy alone may help a patient treat hypothyroidism, but some patients require thyroid replacement therapy in combination with other treatments to address their hypothyroidism symptoms. To help a hypothyroidism patient achieve the best results from his or her treatment, each thyroid replacement therapy program must be tailored to a patient. At Achieve Concierge, our clinicians understand that the ideal hypothyroidism treatment depends on a patient’s age, medical history, and other factors, so they perform an in-depth patient assessment to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. To schedule a complimentary hypothyroidism treatment consultation, please contact us online or call us at (858) 221-0344.