Thyroid Disease - All Articles

FAQ
Hypothyroidism symptoms include slow heart rate, fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, dry skin and hair, low mood, constipation, and heavy menstruation. Hyperthyroidism can cause rapid heart rate, sleep issues, weight loss, heat sensitivity, clammy skin, anxiety, and irregular periods.
Autoimmunity is a common cause of thyroid disease. Thyroid damage during radiation therapy or surgery, certain cancer medications that affect the immune system, and iodine deficiency can also affect thyroid function.
Some types, like subacute thyroiditis, can fully heal. However, other thyroid diseases or treatments can result in a lifelong need for synthetic thyroid hormone. Speak to a doctor about the outlook for your type of thyroid disease.
Doctors diagnose thyroid disease through blood tests measuring thyroid hormone levels and imaging scans to check for nodules. A thyroid uptake and scan can differentiate between causes of hyperthyroidism and identify nodules that are producing too much thyroid hormone.
It’s best to avoid foods with excess iodine, such as seaweed soup. Ask a healthcare professional about the best diet for your type of thyroid disease.

Anna L. Goldman, MD
Medical Reviewer
Anna L. Goldman, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist. She teaches first year medical students at Harvard Medical School and practices general endocrinology in Boston.
Dr. Goldm...

Jennifer Logan, MD, MPH
Medical Reviewer

Sandy Bassin, MD
Medical Reviewer
Sandy Bassin, MD, is an endocrinology fellow at Mount Sinai in New York City. She is passionate about incorporating lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition into endocrinology,...

Kacy Church, MD
Medical Reviewer

Edmund Tsui, MD
Medical Reviewer
Edmund Tsui, MD, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
He earned his medical degree from Dartm...

Bronte Yang, DO
Medical Reviewer

Jill Corleone, RD
Medical Reviewer
Jill is a registered dietitian and health writer based in Honolulu. She spent the early part of her career working in a traditional setting as a clinical dietitian in a hospital, t...

Ghazala O'Keefe, MD
Medical Reviewer
- Thyroid Disease. Cleveland Clinic. March 25, 2024.
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