Thyroid operations are used for patients who have a variety of thyroid conditions, including both cancerous and benign (non-cancerous) thyroid nodules, large thyroid glands (goiters), and overactive thyroid glands. There are several thyroid operations that a surgeon may perform, including: 1) biopsy or lumpectomy - removing a small part of the thyroid gland; 2) lobectomy - removing half of the thyroid gland; 3) removing nearly all of the thyroid gland (subtotal thyroidectomy – leaving a small a Join discussion...

What do the following patients over the age of 60 years have in common? 1. A 72 year old grandmother with “fluttering of the heart” and vague chest discomfort on climbing stairs; 2. An 80 year old man with severe constipation who falls asleep during Bingo; 3. A 63 year old retired grade school teacher who has lost strength in her legs, causing difficulty in climbing stairs and in carrying more than 3 books at a time; she has recently lost 15 lbs in spite of a very good appetite; Join discussion...

Thyroid hormone is used in two situations: 1) to replace the function of the thyroid gland, which is no longer functioning normally (“replacement therapy”) and 2) to prevent further growth of thyroid tissue (“suppression therapy”) Join discussion...

Thyroiditis is a general term that refers to “inflammation of the thyroid gland” (see Thyroiditis Brochure); thus, postpartum thyroiditis is thyroiditis that occurs in women after the delivery of a baby. Thyroiditis can cause both thyrotoxicosis (high thyroid hormone levels in the blood) and hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels in the blood). In postpartum thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis occurs first followed by hypothyroidism. Join discussion...

Endotext.org is the web-based source of information on endocrine disease directed to physicians around the world caring for patients with these problems. It is comprehensive, authoritative, constantly up-dated, un-biased, and available without cost to physicians and trainees. Join discussion...

It has been appreciated for a very long time that there is a complex relationship between thyroid disease, body weight and metabolism. Thyroid hormone regulates metabolism in both animals and humans. Metabolism is determined by measuring the amount of oxygen used by the body over a specific amount of time. If the measurement is made at rest, it is known as the basal metabolic rate (BMR). Indeed, measurement of the BMR was one of the earliest tests used to assess a patient’s thyroid status. Pati Join discussion...

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine-related cancer; however, it is rare compared to other cancers. In the United States there are only about 20,000 new patients annually. Even though the diagnosis of cancer is terrifying, the outlook for patients with thyroid cancer is usually excellent. First, most thyroid cancer is easily curable with surgery. Second, thyroid cancer rarely causes pain or disability. Third, effective and well-tolerated treatment is available for the most common forms of Join discussion...

The term thyroid nodule refers to any abnormal growth of thyroid cells into a lump within the thyroid. Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous), a small proportion of thyroid nodules do contain thyroid cancer. Because of this possibility, the evaluation of a thyroid nodule is aimed at discovering a potential thyroid cancer. Join discussion...

Thyroid disorder characterized by increased hormone secretion. The Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment were discussed briefly. Join discussion...

Hypothyroidism is more frequent than we really believe. Old age is a risk factor. The causes are many, TSH estimation is the key for diagnosis. Treatment is by hormonal replacemet. Join discussion...