DR.Guttler’s Patient’s #3 Blogpost: Thyroid Diseases 101: A Patient’s List Dr.Guttler’s comments:

 Thyroid Diseases 101: A Patient’s List

Dr.Guttler’s comments:

1. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ that sits in the front of the neck.

2. It makes thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

3. Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common thyroid diseases.

4. 1.2 percent of people in the U.S. suffer from hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid)—roughly one in 100 people.

5. Women are two to 10 times more likely to have hyperthyroidism than men.

6. Commonly caused by an autoimmune Graves’ Disease.

7. Graves’ disease effects 1/200 people.

8.  People with a family history of Graves’ or a related autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, or Celiac disease may later develop Graves’ disease and need a screening check up..

9. Symptoms also include a goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland), irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), diarrhea, insomnia, weight loss, tremors, and heat intolerance.

10. Hyperthyroidism usually has three treatment options.

11. Medication such as methimazole or propylthiouracil to control thyroid function is the first choice in 2022, surgery, or a procedure called radioactive iodine ablation, which kills a portion or all of the thyroid are used less over today.

12. Toxic or autonomous functioning thyroid nodules can be treated with RFA instead of surgery or radioiodine.

13.  Hypothyroidism means the gland is slowing down and failing to produce enough hormones.

14.  4.6 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 12 suffers from mild hypothyroidism,five out of 100 people.

15. Women are more prone to the condition.

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17. The most common autoimmune disorder that leads to hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto’s disease.

18. Symptoms consistent with a slowing down such as cold intolerance, tiring easily, dry skin, constipation, memory changes, and depression.

19.  Replace missing thyroid hormones, doctors will prescribe a medication  levothyroxine T4.

20. Other factors for Thyroiditis onset after childbirth.

21. After a virus infection called subacute thyroiditis).

22. Some medications can also cause thyroiditis, particularly ones with a higher iodine content.

23. Thyroid nodules—growths that are either tissue-filled or fluid-filled cysts and typically not noticeable until they became large—can lead to a permanently enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter.

24. Goiter symptoms include coughing, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, and a tight feeling in the throat.

25. A symptomatic benign goiter treatment plan can be non-surgical with either ethanol PEI or radiofrequency ablation RFA.

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27. Before and after ethanol ablation  PEI of large cystic goiter.

28. Solid > 50% benign nodules are treated with RFA.

29. 2018, there were 54,000 new cases of thyroid cancer. 10% could have familial non medullary papillary thyroid cancer FNMPTC.  First degree relative need screening by thyroidologists.

30. 1.2 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in their lifetime.

31.  The survival rate is high with 98 percent five-year survival rate.

32. A goiter or nodules on your thyroid can indicate cancer.

33. Nodules are usually benign, and small <1.5 cm microcancers can be treated by RFA or active surveillance.

34. The best test for function is a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test.

35. If it is normal you probably are not hypo or hyperthyroid.

36. 1-310-393-8860 or thyroid.manager@thyroid.com for a consultation.

37. Ask for Alicia

38. Dr.G.