Many people with thyroid problems are unaware they have them, leading to serious health risks that could be avoided. Residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico, relying on Sharon Schaaf, PhD, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, AG-ACNP, have access to thyroid management for hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and other forms of thyroid disease at Mountain Desert Health. Booking a visit is fast and easy online or by phone.

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What is the thyroid?

Your thyroid is a small gland located in the front of your throat. Shaped like a butterfly with two lobes, this small gland plays a large role in managing your metabolism, which is the way your body converts food into energy.

The thyroid produces hormones called thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3), more commonly known as thyroid hormone.  When your thyroid creates excessively high volumes of thyroid hormone, it can lead a thyroid disorder like hyperthyroidism. Other types of thyroid disorder include thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation) and hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone produced).

Many people live with thyroid disorders for many years before being properly diagnosed. Knowing what to look for helps you know when to enroll in thyroid management.

What is thyroid management?

At Mountain Desert Health, thyroid management allows Dr. Schaaf to closely monitor your thyroid condition and provide care that helps you find relief from your symptoms.

Thyroid management ensures you receive the proper treatments necessary to prevent serious complications.

Why might I need thyroid management?

Some of the signs you might need thyroid management include:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Increased appetite
  • Thinning or dry skin
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Irregular or pounding heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • More frequent bowel movements
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Constipation

These are just some of the symptoms of thyroid disorder. You might experience just a few of these changes or many, and they can range in severity from mild to disabling.

How are conditions treated through thyroid management?

There are several ways to treat thyroid disorders. At Mountain Desert Health, Dr. Schaaf works with you to find the right path for your unique needs.

Medications can help manage thyroid conditions. For hyperthyroidism, some drugs limit your thyroid from producing high volumes of thyroid hormone. Others focus on addressing specific symptoms like heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, or tremors. You may also benefit from reactive iodine, which can damage and shrink a portion of your thyroid gland, limiting thyroid hormone production.

If you have a condition like hypothyroidism, you might benefit from synthetic thyroid hormones, or thyroid replacement therapy.

If these treatments don’t help, surgical intervention offers the chance to remove part of your thyroid gland.

When you notice unusual changes in how you feel or function, call Mountain Desert Health or book online to schedule a consultation for thyroid management.