Thyroid Management

You probably never think about your thyroid, but that little butterfly-shaped gland could be behind symptoms that compromise your quality of life, including fatigue, moodiness, and hair loss. If you aren’t feeling like “yourself” or enjoying life to its fullest, expert otolaryngologist Dr. Orville Dyce evaluates your thyroid’s health and functionality on the premises at Black Creek Medical Consultants. Men, women, and children who live in Hartsville, South Carolina, or surrounding areas can receive in-house diagnosis and outpatient surgeries to alleviate thyroid-related symptoms. Call Dr. Dyce’s helpful staff to set up an appointment, or message us via the form below and a team member will get back to you!

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Q&A

 

What is a thyroid?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that wraps around the front of your windpipe, just below your Adam’s apple. Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate your body’s processes, including your:

• Metabolism

• Body temperature

• Muscle strength

• Cholesterol levels

• Menstrual cycle  

• Skin dryness

• Weight

• Rate of growth (infants and children)

According to the NIH, up to 27 million U.S. women, men, and children may have problems with their thyroids.

 

What kinds of thyroid problems are there?

The two main thyroid disorders are called hyperthyroidism, in which your thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, and hypothyroidism, in which it produces too little. Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid disorder, affecting approximately 4.6% of children, women, and men over the age of 12 years.

 

What are the symptoms of a thyroid disorder?

Symptoms of thyroid disorders overlap with other conditions and may have underlying causes, including Grave’s disease or cancer. That’s why Dr. Dyce recommends a thorough in-office thyroid evaluation at Black Creek Medical Consultants if you experience symptoms such as:

• Nervousness or moodiness

• Weakness or fatigue

• Frequent or constipated bowel movements

• Irregular menstrual periods

• Hair loss, dry skin, or brittle nails

• Memory and focus problems

• Intolerance of cold

• Unexplained weight loss

Symptoms occur so gradually that you may not notice them, or you might attribute them to aging. However, thyroid disorders aren’t a normal part of the aging process. Contact Dr. Dyce if you have troubling symptoms that might be caused by your thyroid.

 

How do doctors treat thyroid problems?

If Dr. Dyce suspects a thyroid disorder is at the root of your symptoms, he conducts a thorough physical examination and orders blood tests to evaluate your thyroid hormone levels. If he diagnoses hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, he may recommend:

• Methimazole or propylthiouracil to slow down an overactive thyroid

• Thyroid hormone pills to compensate for a slow thyroid

• Further tests to diagnose the presence of cancer

• Thyroidectomy to remove part or all of your thyroid

Dr. Dyce performs all of his evaluations and tests in-office. He performs thyroid surgery in local hospitals. He may recommend thyroidectomy if you have a goiter, overactive thyroid, or thyroid cancer.

Don’t “write off” your symptoms if you aren’t feeling your best. Come to Black Creek Medical Consultants for thyroid testing and possible treatment. Contact Dr. Dyce by phoning his knowledgeable and supportive staff, or contact us via the form below.