Hypothyroidism Specialist
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Premier Care Clinics
Robert DiMasi, DO
Family Medicine located in Oldsmar, FL
Over 12% of the American population will develop a thyroid condition at some point in their life. Dr. Robert DiMasi diagnoses and treats hypothyroidism at Premier Care Clinics in Oldsmar, Florida. Both testing and treatment for hypothyroidism are fairly straightforward, and Dr. DiMasi makes it as unintimidating as possible. Call or click over to the “book now” button to make an appointment to have your thyroid checked.
Hypothyroidism Q & A
What is hypothyroidism?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that regulates your body’s use of energy with hormones.
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, develops when the thyroid produces too little of the thyroid hormone. This deficiency offsets various chemical balances in your body, leading to troublesome symptoms and complications.
Left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to:
- Fertility problems
- High cholesterol
- Depression
- Peripheral nerve damage
- Myxedema, or severe, life-threatening hypothyroidism
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
The symptoms of hypothyroidism are sometimes mistaken for natural signs of aging or other health conditions.
Some of the more obvious signs of hypothyroidism include:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to the cold
- Constipation
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Hoarse voice
- Thinned hair and dry skin
If you experience these symptoms, Dr. DiMasi may test you for hypothyroidism.
How do you test for hypothyroidism?
Diagnosing for hypothyroidism is pretty straightforward. Dr. DiMasi uses the information you provide about your symptoms and medical history, the results of his physical exam, and the results of your blood tests to make a diagnosis. Dr. DiMasi may test your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid antibody levels to check for hypothyroidism.
The pituitary gland produces TSH to stimulate thyroid hormone production, so high levels of TSH usually indicate an underactive thyroid. T3 and T4 measure the hormones produced by the thyroid itself, so low levels of those could also indicate a problem.
Thyroid antibody tests reveal whether an autoimmune disorder, such as Hashimoto’s disease, could be contributing to your thyroid issues. Hashimoto’s develops when your immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, causing hypothyroidism.
How do you treat hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is easily treatable with prescription drugs. The synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine is a medication that helps you maintain normal thyroid hormone levels.
If you have hypothyroidism, you need to take thyroid medication for the rest of your life. Dr. DiMasi schedules regular check-ins to see how you’re doing and to make any necessary adjustments to your medication.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, contact Premier Care Clinics over the phone or with the one-click booking system.
