Top Thyroid Doctor in Webster and Pasadena, TX
At Primary Care of Clear Lake, personalized treatment programs for thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be provided by Dr. Smriti Choudhary, MD, depending on your symptoms and thyroid hormone levels. Our team also offers guidance on lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to support overall thyroid health. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Webster and Pasadena, TX.
Table of Contents:
What is the thyroid, and what does it do?
How does the thyroid affect metabolism?
What are common thyroid disorders?
What are the symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)?
What are the symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)?
At Primary Care of Clear Lake, we understand the critical role that the thyroid gland plays in your overall health. This small gland is responsible for producing vital hormones, which influence the function of a number of the body’s most important organs.
We provide comprehensive healthcare services that include monitoring and managing thyroid hormone levels. This is crucial to maintaining your body’s metabolism, growth, development, and other bodily functions.
Whether you may be experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, weight gain, and depression, or hyperthyroidism, which can lead to weight loss, rapid heart rate, and anxiety, we are here to provide the necessary care. Our thorough diagnosis process includes testing for levels of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, as well as TSH, which stimulates the production of these hormones.
At Primary Care of Clear Lake, we also understand that the thyroid gland uses iodine from the foods you consume to produce these hormones. Therefore, we offer nutritional guidance to ensure that your diet supports healthy thyroid function.
The thyroid gland plays an important part in regulating metabolism, the process by which your body converts food into energy. This small, butterfly-shaped organ acts as your body’s natural thermostat, controlling the rate at which your body uses energy.
In our practice, we focus on how thyroid hormones impact metabolism in several ways:
• Increasing Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): We acknowledge how thyroid hormones stimulate the rise of BMR, the rate at which your body burns calories at rest, by enhancing the activity of enzymes involved in energy production.
• Stimulating Lipid Metabolism: We recognize how thyroid hormones promote the breakdown of stored fats into energy, and increase lipolysis, the process by which fatty acids are released from fat cells.
• Modulating Carbohydrate Metabolism: We understand how thyroid hormones enhance the absorption of glucose from the gut and its transport into cells, ensuring adequate energy supply for essential cellular functions.
• Regulating Protein Metabolism: We know that thyroid hormones regulate protein synthesis and breakdown, promoting muscle protein synthesis and preserving muscle mass and tissue integrity.
Several problems can occur if the thyroid becomes overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism), both of which can severely impact the body’s metabolism.
At Primary Care of Clear Lake, we focus on providing comprehensive healthcare services, that include diagnosing and treating various thyroid disorders. The thyroid gland helps in regulating your body’s metabolism, energy levels, and overall development.
Thyroid disorders: we commonly manage include but are not limited to:
• Hypothyroidism: In this condition, your thyroid gland is not as active as it should be, leading to a slower metabolism. Our team is experienced in diagnosing and managing hypothyroidism, helping you manage symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and depression.
• Hyperthyroidism: If your thyroid gland is overactive, you could be experiencing symptoms such as weight loss, anxiety, and irritability. Our healthcare professionals are skilled in managing hyperthyroidism, helping you regain control over your body’s metabolism.
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease: Both of these autoimmune diseases affect the thyroid gland, with Hashimoto’s often resulting in hypothyroidism and Graves’ disease leading to hyperthyroidism. Our team offers comprehensive care for these conditions, helping you manage symptoms.
• Thyroid nodules and Thyroid cancer: Our experienced healthcare providers can accurately diagnose and provide treatment options for thyroid nodules, which are growths in the thyroid gland, and thyroid cancer, a less common but significant disorder.
At Primary Care of Clear Lake, we believe in proactive and comprehensive healthcare. If you’re experiencing any symptoms that may potentially be related to your thyroid, don’t wait to seek medical attention.
Patients battling hypothyroidism often report feeling unusually tired, sluggish, and weak, a telltale sign of this condition. Additionally, unexplained weight gain despite maintaining a consistent diet and exercise routine is another common symptom that we often see in our patients suffering from an underactive thyroid.
Physical signs of hypothyroidism include dry, thick, and scaly skin and increased hair loss. Furthermore, some patients may experience heightened sensitivity to cold, muscle aches and weakness, constipation, depression, a slowed heart rate, and impaired memory. For women, changes in the menstrual cycle may also be indicative of hypothyroidism.
In some cases, hypothyroidism can also contribute to high cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. A swollen thyroid, or goiter, may also develop, making swallowing or breathing difficult for the patient.
Hyperthyroidism is a type of disorder that happens when the thyroid gland, located in the neck, overproduces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism. This hormonal imbalance can affect numerous body systems, and the symptoms can vary in intensity and overlap with other conditions.
A common effect of hyperthyroidism is on the cardiovascular system. Symptoms such as an increased heart rate, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure often manifest in patients with this condition. Our medical experts are equipped to diagnose and manage these cardiovascular effects in our comprehensive care setting.
Hyperthyroidism can also affect the neuromuscular system and energy levels. Symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, muscle weakness, and difficulty concentrating are common. Despite these symptoms, individuals might also feel unusually tired or weak. Our healthcare providers are experienced in managing these complexities to ensure your overall well-being.
Hyperthyroidism can cause individuals to experience unexplained weight loss due to increased metabolism, despite a normal or increased appetite. Digestive issues such as frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and nausea are also common. Our team can provide comprehensive care and guidance to manage these symptoms.
Each patient’s experience with hyperthyroidism can be different, with not everyone experiencing all symptoms. If you are experiencing any combination of these potential thyroid symptoms, we encourage you to visit us at Primary Care of Clear Lake. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Webster and Pasadena, TX. We serve patients from Webster TX, Pasadena TX, South Houston TX, Brookwood TX, Seabrook TX, Bacliff TX, and surrounding areas.
Additional Services We Offer
- 2D ECHO
- ABI Testing
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- Diabetes Management
- EKG
- Food Allergies
- Food Sensitivity
- Geriatric Care
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- Individual Nutritional and Lifestyle Counselling
- Indoor Allergies
- Internal Medicine
- Lipid Disorders
- Medical Weight-Loss
- Osteoporosis
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- Parkinson’s Disease
- Primary Care
- Resting Metabolic Rate Testing
- Thyroid Scan
- Wellness Exams for Men
- Wellness Exams for Women
- Ozempic