Thyroid Treatment Specialist

What does the thyroid do?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that makes up part of your endocrine system. The thyroid creates thyroid hormones which control the rate of many processes in your body, including your metabolism and heart rate.

What conditions affect the thyroid?

The two most common thyroid problems that Dr. Chakrala treats include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition where your under-functioning thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. You may notice certain symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, poor concentration, and hair loss if you have hypothyroidism.
• Hyperthyroidism: An over-functioning thyroid causes your body makes too much thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism. If you have hyperthyroidism, you may exhibit signs like weight loss, nervousness, increased heart rate, and difficulty concentrating.

How do you diagnose thyroid problems?

Dr. Chakrala asks detailed questions about your symptoms before performing a physical exam.

During the physical exam, your doctor takes your vital signs, checks your reflexes, and listens to your heart and lungs. Part of the physical exam involves feeling the neck so your doctor can detect any potential thyroid enlargement (goiter).

If your doctor suspects a thyroid disorder, she performs blood tests to check your thyroid hormone and antibody levels. If they find a goiter, they may use ultrasound or iodine tests to get a more detailed look at your thyroid.

In rare cases, your doctor may also perform a biopsy to test any unusual cysts or nodules for cancer. After your doctor analyzes the appropriate test results, she can make a diagnosis.

What treatment options are available for thyroid problems?

Medications are the most common form of treatment for thyroid disorder, but surgery may be necessary for more serious conditions.

If you have hyperthyroidism, your doctor may recommend medication to block excess thyroid hormone from entering your system. If your body doesn’t respond to the medication, Dr. Chakrala can perform radioactive ablation to destroy some of the thyroid tissue.

If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor can provide synthetic thyroid hormone to replenish the missing hormone.

Your doctor may recommend surgery or thyroidectomy for goiters and cancer. If they remove your thyroid, you just need to take synthetic thyroid hormone every day going forward.

If you have symptoms of a thyroid disorder, get in contact with Plainsboro Princeton Medical Associates PC online or over the phone to set up an evaluation.