Thyroid
Hyperthyroidism: over-function of the thyroid gland.
AKA: Graves’ Disease, Acute Thyroiditis, Toxic Multinodular Goiter
Clinic Expectations: You may know the cause, or we may need to figure that out. I will order labs, and if necessary nuclear medicine imaging to figure it out. I can prescribe treatment options with medications or a referral to nuclear medicine or surgery.
Virtual Caveats: You will need to have a reliable method of checking your heart rate and blood pressure. Consider Omron 3 Series Blood Pressure Monitor or similar.
Hypothyroidism: under-function of the thyroid gland.
AKA: Hashimoto’s Disease
Clinic Expectations: We can discuss the natural history of this disease, the myths and facts, and the recommended treatments. I prescribe Levothyroxine and occasionally Liothyronine. I DO NOT prescribe desiccated thyroid. I use TSH as the most reliable marker in treating primary hypothyroidism. I will generally follow you until your labs are reliably in goal-range, and once you are stable, recommend you return to your primary care provider for continuation of your treatment. If you are pregnant, I will follow you all through your pregnancy.
Thyroid Cancer: I believe this is best handled in a multi-disciplinary center where endocrinologists, surgeons, pathologists and nuclear medicine specialists work together. I generally do not see active thyroid cancer patients, but can assist with screening for recurrence of thyroid cancer if needed.