Body temperature, metabolism, heart rate — these are just three of the many areas in which your thyroid plays a role. Here’s a look at the large influence this small gland has in your body.
Your thyroid is a very small gland that casts a surprisingly large net over your health. Its primary role is to produce hormones that influence your metabolism, body temperature, and your heart rate, among other things. So when thyroid disease strikes, the effects can be widespread.
Our team of experienced surgeons at Rockwall Surgical Specialists is here to help when thyroid disease develops. To better help you understand the effects of thyroid disease, especially those that may require surgery to correct, we review five of the more common signs that your thyroid may be in trouble.
If your thyroid is overproducing hormones — which can occur for several reasons, such as a Graves’ disease or thyroid nodules — you may experience:
This list is by no means comprehensive, as an overproduction of hormones can affect people in different ways, but these represent the most common complaints.
If your thyroid underproduces hormones, which puts you at greater risk for developing thyroid nodules, the list of symptoms is long and includes:
As you can see, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism affect both your physical and mental health.
One of the telltale signs that your thyroid is in trouble is if you develop unexplained hoarseness or a change in your voice. Because of your thyroid’s location in your throat, it can affect your larynx when a nodule or tumor forms.
This sign is one that’s difficult to ignore — a lump in your neck. In its earliest stages, you may notice it when you’re shaving or washing up. Or you may feel a tightness in your neck and discover a lump when exploring the area.
If you develop a nodule or tumor that interferes with your swallowing or breathing in any way, it’s important that you seek help sooner rather than later.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of the above, or a combination of these symptoms, we urge you to see your doctor to identify the problem. If a nodule has developed or if you have thyroid cancer, our surgical team can take the steps necessary to restore your health.
We offer different types of thyroid surgery, including:
To surgically remedy your thyroid issues, contact one of our locations in Rowlett, Rockwall, Greenville, or Forney, Texas. You can also set up an evaluation through our online booking system.
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