Healthy+5Winterspring2024spreadsfinal - Flipbook - Page 9
“The thyroid plays a huge role in
critical bodily functions including
heart rate, digestion, brain
development, mood, and bone
density. When problems arise in
the thyroid, the impact is often felt
throughout the body”
–Eric Seyferth, MD, SVMC Internal Medicine
Diagnosing and treating an overactive
thyroid
Diagnosing an overactive thyroid is typically
done through a blood tests, imaging, or
combination of both. Blood tests will reveal
how high your thyroxine levels are and what
is causing the thyroid to be overactive, while
imaging allows your doctor to look for any
issues related to the structure of your thyroid,
such as inflammation, size, gland activity, or the
presence of nodules. There are multiple causes
of hyperthyroidism with the most common
being Grave’s Disease, an autoimmune
condition that stimulates the thyroid to enlarge
and produce excess thyroxine. With this
information, your doctor can recommend the
most appropriate treatment based on the cause
as well as any personal health factors. Common
options include:
• Daily beta blocker pills to reduce tremors,
rapid heartbeat, and anxiety
• Medication that lowers thyroxine levels
• Radioactive iodine taken as a liquid or
capsule
In very rare cases, surgery to remove
part or most of the thyroid gland may be
recommended.
Seyferth notes, “Hyperthyroidism is a lifelong
condition for most patients; meaning it will
need to be continuously treated and monitored
for the remainder of their lives.” ■
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