How to Understand Thyroid Problems

Learning that you have a thyroid disorder can be confusing and frightening. Fortunately, there are things you and your physician can do to control symptoms. There are also many ways to educate yourself about thyroid disease and its treatment.

Instructions

• 1

  Review your symptoms. An underactive thyroid can cause symptoms such as dry skin, forgetfulness, constipation and feeling cold all the time. An overactive thyroid may cause weight loss, nervousness, increased heart rate and increased perspiration. Graves' disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid, may also cause the eyes to look enlarged. An enlarged thyroid gland may cause swelling on the front of the neck.

• 2

  Schedule a visit to your doctor, first making a list of any questions or concerns. It's often difficult to recall unfamiliar words and concepts when you get home from a doctor's visit, so be prepared to record the information you receive, either with pen and paper or with a recording device. Having a friend or family member with you can be comforting and helpful.

• 3

  Discuss any symptoms with your doctor. She can assess your thyroid levels through blood tests. If your thyroid is enlarged, you may be sent for an ultrasound scan or a biopsy. You may be referred to an endocrinologist.

• 4

  Ask your doctor to monitor your thyroid levels routinely if you have any history of thyroid problems. Thyroid disease can go undetected or may resurface after many years, so periodic testing is important.

• 5

  Educate yourself by seeking out authoritative medical books such as the Merck Manual of Medical Information and the American Medical Association Family Medical Guide, which can be found in libraries and bookstores.

• 6

  Use the internet to find information at websites such as the Mayo Clinic and the American Thyroid Association. Unfortunately, misinformation abounds when it comes to thyroid disorders, so stick to authoritative sources.

• 7

  Check with your local hospital to see what information resources are offered. Often hospitals or medical groups offer informative talks on medical issues, such as thyroid disease, for the general public.

• 8

  Seek out a support group in your area. Your hospital may be able to put you in touch with local support groups. Two online resources are the Graves' Disease Foundation and the Light of Life Foundation. Thyroid cancer patients can locate groups through ThyCa, the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association.

• 9

  Follow your doctor's recommendations for medication and surgery. It is essential to take thyroid medication exactly as prescribed. Levothyroxine, the most commonly prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone, has a half-life (the amount of time required for half of the chemical to be eliminated from the body) of more than five days. This means that it may take four to six weeks to gain its full effect.

• 10

  Speak to your physician before making any changes in your medication routine. Your thyroid levels can be affected by age, weight, other medications or pregnancy, so it is important to schedule regular doctor's visits to monitor changes.