Thyroid diseases
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. This can increase your body’s metabolism and lead to rapid unexpected weight loss or an irregular heartbeat. There are several treatment options available for hyperthyroidism and your doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment for you depending on your age, health, personal preference and the severity of your condition.
At GenesisCare we specialize in advanced radiation therapy techniques that are designed to be effective while minimizing the side effects you’ll experience. Radioiodine ablation is an effective and non-invasive treatment for hyperthyroidism. You’ll take the radioactive iodine in the form of a tablet or pill and it causes your thyroid to shrink when it’s absorbed by the gland – reducing the amount of thyroxine it produces.
Thionamides are medicines that help ease your hyperthyroidism symptoms by reducing the amount of thyroxine produced from your thyroid gland. There are a few different types and you many need to take the medication for two months before seeing any improvement. You may also be given beta-blocker medication to normalize your heartbeat.
We work with expert teams of surgeons who are specially trained in thyroidectomy, the removal of the thyroid gland. Surgery is not usually the main treatment for hyperthyroidism and it’s only recommended if you can’t have radioiodine or medication. After your thyroidectomy, you’ll need to take long-term medication to supply your body with healthy levels of thyroxine.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypothyroidism develops when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroxine, commonly caused by another condition called Hashimoto’s disease.
Standard hypothyroidism treated is levothyroxine medication – a synthetic version of the thyroxine hormone. This is taking orally in the form of a daily pill and is effective in reversing hypothyroidism symptoms. You may start off with a low dose and gradually increase this overtime, depending on how well your condition improves. The dose your doctor starts you on will depend on the severity of your condition and your general health. Treatment is usually lifelong and you’ll need to have annual blood tests to monitor your body’s hormone levels.
Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are small, solid or fluid-filled lumps found in your thyroid gland. They’re often too small to be felt and only found during routine medical examinations or scans for another reason. There are several thyroid nodule treatment options and your doctor will suggest the most appropriate type according to type of nodule you have.
If your nodule is not causing you any difficulties, you and your doctor may decide not to treat your nodules at all. Instead, your doctor can actively survey the condition, where you’ll be required to have regular physical examinations and thyroid function tests. If your nodules grow, your doctor may want to perform an ultrasound scan or take a biopsy. If your benign nodule remains the same, you may never need treatment.
If your thyroid nodules are large and causing you breathing or swallowing difficulties, your doctor may suggest surgery.
In some instances, thyroid nodules can also produce increased levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, causing hyperthyroidism. You doctor may suggest standard hyperthyroidism treatments including radiation therapy, medication or surgery.
We work with expert teams of surgeons who are specially trained in thyroidectomy, the removal of the thyroid gland. Surgery is not usually the main treatment for hyperthyroidism and it’s only recommended if you can’t have radioiodine or medication. After your thyroidectomy, you’ll need to take long-term medication to supply your body with healthy levels of thyroxine.
Goiters
A goiter is a swelling in the thyroid gland that causes a lump that can be seen in the front of your neck and it can be caused by a few different conditions, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Your doctor will recommend your best treatment option depending on the size of the lump, your symptoms and the underlying cause of the goiter.
If the lump is small and is not causing you any additional problems, and your thyroid is functioning well, you and your doctor may choose not to treat it at all. Instead your doctor can monitor your condition on the next few months to see how it develops. If you start to experience additional symptoms, you can undergo some diagnostic tests for hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and we can treat your condition accordingly.
Diagnostics
Thyroid conditions are often diagnosed with pathology tests, such as blood tests and biopsy, and imaging scans including ultrasound, although your doctor may use other techniques to identify the problem. You may also have other additional tests to find out which treatments are likely to be most effective. Some of these tests are also used to assess how well your treatment is working.
Find your nearest GenesisCare center to find out what diagnostic tests and scans are available in your local area. Our expert team will provide a fast response and support you throughout your treatment journey.
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