Do You Have A Thyroid Disorder?

By Josephine V. Jasper, MD F.A.C.E.

During your yearly physical, did you ever wonder why the physician places their hand on your throat and asks you to swallow? This common test allows Your doctor to check for thyroid nodules. Although thyroid nodules are extremely common and usually benign, there are growing numbers of people with thyroid cancer and other thyroid issues.

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland. It produces two main hormones that regulate body temperature, metabolism, heart rate and other factors. These two hormones are T3 and T4.

In recent years there have been several celebrities that have shared their personal stories of thyroid issues. Most recently, Supermodel, Gigi Hadid shared that she suffers from Hashimoto’s Disease, which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid.

Along with cancer and Hashimoto’s, thyroid nodules could suggest that that you may suffer from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. If left untreated, thyroid issues can lead to dangerous conditions like AFIB, blood disorders and heart disease.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms:
• Overactive appetite
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Lack of concentrate
• Irregular heartbeat
• Sleep disturbances
• Dry/Brittle & hair breakage
• Itchy dry skin

With Hyperthyroidism, an overproduction of the T3 and/orT4 hormones causes the body to react to the over secretion of the thyroid hormones in negative ways. The most common form of this disorder is Grave’s disease, which is an autoimmune disease. Grave’s causes the body to attack it’s on thyroid gland. Other causes can be from genetic mutations (can run in families), and tumors in the ovaries or testes.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
• Tendency to be cold
• Dry itchy skin
• Swollen eyes
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of concentration
• Lack of appetite
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Menstrual changes
• Hair loss
• Depression & anxiety

With hypothyroidism, the thyroid is underactive, producing too little T3 and/ or T4 hormones. The causes of hypothyroidism are autoimmune diseases, like Hashimoto’s, surgical removal of the thyroid (cancer patients), environmental radiation exposure, or radiation treatment of the thyroid. Although there is no cure, there are many different medications available to successfully treat hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Josephine V. Jasper, MD F.A.C.E.
Endocrinology, Thyroid, Diabetes and Metabolism
The right diagnosis and care makes all the difference in your outcome and healhy living. Dr. Jasper wants all of her patients to live their lives to the fullest with optimal health.

Learn how to manage your condition under the care of Dr. Josephine Jasper, a board certified endocrinologist and voted one of NJ’s top practitioners. She is now serving patients in Marco Island and Naples, Florida.

To schedule an appointment please call,
239-315-8271

Marco Island
40 Heathwood Drive, Suite E
Marco Island, FL 34145-5029

Naples
700 2nd Ave N., Suite 204
Naples, FL 34102-5701