Hypothyroidism Specialist

Samuel I. Fink, MD

Internal Medicine & Primary Care located in Tarzana, CA

It’s estimated that hypothyroidism affects 5% of Americans, causing a wide range of bodywide symptoms that affect your energy, weight, heart, and nearly every vital system in your body. Samuel I. Fink, MD, Inc., has helped many patients overcome a multitude of hypothyroid symptoms by restoring hormones to normal, healthy levels. To learn whether your symptoms are due to hypothyroidism, call the office in Tarzana, California, or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment.

818-609-0700

Hypothyroidism Q & A

What should I know about the thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism and growth, and affect nearly every organ in your body. These are a few examples of the processes regulated by thyroid hormones:

Heart rate
Body weight
Muscle strength
Cholesterol levels
Breathing
Digestion
Nervous system
Body temperature

In other words, having the proper amount of thyroid hormone is vital for your health and well-being.

What is hypothyroidism?

When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism may be caused by:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Atrophic thyroiditis
Thyroid surgery
Thyroid cysts or tumors
Medications
Iodine deficiency

Radiation therapy to treat head and neck cancers also affects the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism.

What symptoms develop due to hypothyroidism?

Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, but you’re more likely to have the problem if you’re a woman older than 60, you have an autoimmune disease, or you have a family history of hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroid symptoms typically develop gradually, but when they start to become noticeable you’ll experience problems such as:

Fatigue
Weight gain
Dry skin and hair
Trouble sleeping
Depression
Impaired memory
Joint or muscle pain
Hoarseness
Elevated cholesterol
Sensitivity to cold temperatures

You may also notice muscle weakness, irregular menstrual periods, and thinning hair. Hypothyroidism has such a broad impact throughout your body that a comprehensive list of symptoms is too long to include here.

How is hypothyroidism treated?

The goal of treatment is to restore your thyroid hormones back to their normal levels. Dr. Fink prescribes synthetic thyroid hormone that you’ll take daily to reverse your symptoms and to maintain ongoing health.

Most patients need to continue taking thyroid hormones throughout their lifetimes, but your dosage may change over time. Changes in your body weight, aging, pregnancy, and starting or stopping certain medications are a few examples of factors that can affect the amount of thyroid hormone you need to maintain the right blood levels.

Dr. Fink routinely performs blood tests to monitor your thyroid hormone levels and make sure they stay in the normal range.

As soon as you develop symptoms of hypothyroidism, call Samuel I. Fink, MD, Inc. or book an appointment online so you can start the treatment you need to feel better.