Symptoms

People with specific thyroid and parathyroid disorders may have no symptoms. However, people with hyperthyroidism may experience symptoms like:

• Fatigue.
• Nervousness.
• Hand tremors.
• Weight loss.
• Goiter.
• Mood swings.
• Weak muscles.
• Heat intolerance.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Diarrhea.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue.
• Dry skin and hair.
• A puffy face.
• Fertility problems.
• Weight gain.
• Decreased sweating.
• Constipation.
• Joints and muscle pain.
• Depression and stress.
• Slowed heart rate.
• Heavy or irregular menstrual periods.
• Cold intolerance.

Symptoms of thyroid nodules include:

•  Lump in the neck
• Changes to the voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain in the neck and throat
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Diagnosis

The following tests are used to diagnose thyroid and parathyroid disorders:

• Comprehensive testing (Patient’s history and physical examination)
• Thyroid antibody tests 
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) tests
•  Parathyroid hormone test
• Ultrasounds
• Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsies
• Computed tomography (CT) – body
• MRI
• Bone densitometry (DEXA, DXA)
• 25-hydroxy-vitamin D blood test
• Nuclear medicine tests (such as radioiodine scans and PET scans)

Treatment

Treatments for thyroid disorders depend on the complexity of the disease. They can be a life-long condition, but the following treatments can help patients live a healthy life:

• Multinodular Goiter can be treated through thyroidectomy surgery.
• Hyperthyroidism (Graves disease) can be treated through:
  • Antithyroid drugs 
  • Radioactive iodine
  • Thyroidectomy surgery
• Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can be treated through thyroid hormone replacement.

Prevention

Generally, there is no way to prevent thyroid disease, but regular screening and awareness of risk factors and symptoms can help patients prevent severe complications of thyroid disorders. However, medical service providers recommend the following to prevent thyroid disorders:

• Maintain an adequate amount of iodine nutrition
• Avoid thyroid disruptors
• Give up smoking 
• Less alcohol consumption
• Try to avoid thyroid autoimmunity (positive thyroid antibodies)

When You Should Consult The Doctor

If you feel any of the following early symptoms of thyroid and parathyroid disorders, you must visit a doctor for a detailed check-up:

• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to heat
• Sensitivity to cold
• Unexpected weight gain
• Unexpected weight loss
• Slowed heart rate
• Increased heart rate

Parathyroid Disorders

Parathyroid glands are responsible for calcium, Vitamin D and phosphorus metabolism. Abnormal parathyroid levels cause bone mineral disease by affecting calcium and phosphorus metabolism. There are 4 parathyroid glands located behind the thyroid gland. We manage calcium and phosphorus disorders that are affected by hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.

Causes

• Hyperparathyroidism is caused by the overactivity of one or more of the parathyroid glands. It can be a result of:
  • Tumors
  • Larger growth of all four glands (rare cases, also called hyperplasia)
• Parathyroid Tumors can be caused by:
  • Genetic problems
  • Hyperparathyroidism 

Treatment

• Hypoparathyroidism can be treated by:
  • Injection of calcium
  • Calcium and vitamin D supplements
• Hyperparathyroidism can be treated through surgical removal of the affected parathyroid gland.