The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the center-front of your neck, just above the base of your collarbone. The thyroid gland releases and controls thyroid hormones (two main hormones are thyroxine and triiodothyronine), which play a vital role in regulating body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, metabolism, and other bodily functions.
Thyroid problems can prevent your thyroid gland from producing and releasing the right amount of thyroid hormones. Let’s talk about some of the most common thyroid issues, when they warrant surgery, and where you can go in Sarasota for world-class thyroid surgery and treatment that works for you.
What Are the Most Common Thyroid Problems?
Thyroid disorders often fall into the following categories:
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces too much thyroxine hormone. This speeds up your metabolism and leads to symptoms like nervousness, restlessness, increased sweating, weight loss, and heart palpitations. Grave’s disease and thyroid nodules can cause hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism
This is the opposite of hyperthyroidism: In this case, the thyroid gland produces inadequate amounts of thyroid hormones. Hashimoto’s disease, which is also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder in which white blood cells and abnormal antibodies attack and damage the thyroid gland – and this is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism tends to cause fatigue, depression, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin.
Thyroid Adenomas (Nodules)
These small growths, or nodules, form in the cell layers lining the inner surface of the thyroid gland. These nodules themselves might secrete thyroid hormones and result in hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Surgery: Which Thyroid Problems May Require It
Thyroid surgery, otherwise known as thyroidectomy, is the surgical removal of all (total thyroidectomy) or part (partial thyroidectomy) of the thyroid gland. Thyroidectomy is most appropriate for people who might have:
Thyroid Cancer
If you have undergone radiation treatment to the chest, neck, and/or head area, then you are at an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. However, you may develop thyroid cancer without any known risk factors.
Common types of thyroid cancer are follicular thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. The removal of most, if not all, of the thyroid gland will likely be the most appropriate treatment.
Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid surgery might be your choice for treating hyperthyroidism if you have a problem taking anti-thyroid drugs and don’t want radioactive iodine therapy.
Enlargement of the Thyroid (Goiter)
A thyroidectomy is an option if you suffer from a large goiter that causes difficulty in breathing or swallowing or, in some cases, causes hyperthyroidism. A partial thyroidectomy may be the best choice if the large goiter causes embarrassment, and you want to reduce its size.
General Surgeon for Thyroid Surgery in Sarasota, FL
At Intercoastal Medical Group, our board certified General, Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgeon, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Joseph Mets, has extensive experience in performing thyroid and parathyroid surgery’s. In addition to thyroid and parathyroid surgery, Dr. Mets also has experience in:
- Robotic Colon Surgery
- Gallbladder/Biliary Surgery
- Skin/Soft-Tissue Surgery
- Endoscopic Surgery
If you have any questions, call us today at (941) 341-0042. To schedule with Dr. Mets, a referral is required. If you’re not established with a primary care physician, Intercoastal Medical Group has internal or family medicine physicians at all of our ten locations. We look forward to serving your family’s medical needs and being your primary care practice!
