Thyroid Specialist
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David W. Ranson, MD, FACS
General & Vascular Surgeon located in South Charleston, WV
Your thyroid produces hormones that help regulate many of your body’s most basic functions, including your metabolism, mood, and energy levels. At his office in South Charleston, West Virginia, David W. Ranson, MD, FACS, diagnoses and treats a variety of common thyroid conditions. If you’re experiencing sudden hormonal changes, your thyroid might be the culprit. To learn more, call David W. Ranson, MD, FACS, or schedule an appointment online today.
Thyroid Q & A
What are thyroid conditions?
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located toward the bottom of your neck. It’s part of the endocrine system, which regulates many of your bodily functions. The thyroid makes hormones that manage everything from your metabolism and weight to your mood and temperature.
Many conditions can affect the thyroid, including hormonal conditions, benign (noncancerous) growths, and even malignant (cancerous) tumors.
What are the types of thyroid conditions?
Some of the most common types of thyroid conditions include:
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, leading to fatigue, weight gain, memory problems, constipation, and depression. Many people with hypothyroidism — the most common thyroid condition — feel cold, weak, and have a slow heart rate.
Hyperthyroidism
The opposite of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid produces too many hormones. This can lead to unintended weight loss, increased heart rate, restlessness, anxiety, increased sweating, and insomnia.
Hashimoto’s disease
Hashimoto’s disease is an immune condition that can cause hypothyroidism. If you have Hashimoto’s disease, you may experience symptoms similar to hypothyroidism, as well as an enlarged thyroid (goiter).
Thyroid nodules and cancer
Thyroid nodules are enlarged growths on your thyroid that are typically benign (noncancerous). However, they can be malignant (cancerous), so Dr. Ranson may recommend taking samples of your growth or removing it altogether for testing.
What are the treatments for thyroid conditions?
How Dr. Ranson treats your thyroid condition depends on the type you have. If you have a condition like hypothyroidism, he may recommend hormone replacement therapy to rebalance your levels. This can help relieve some of your uncomfortable symptoms.
Anti-thyroid medications are the most common treatments for hyperthyroidism, as they prevent your thyroid from overproducing the thyroid hormone.
If you have a noncancerous thyroid nodule, Dr. Ranson can perform surgery to remove the growth from your thyroid. Another surgical option, particularly if you have thyroid cancer, is to remove the thyroid gland entirely. Once removed, you can take hormone replacement medications to ensure your basic bodily functions are regulated.
If you suspect you have a thyroid condition, call David W. Ranson, MD, FACS, for a comprehensive evaluation or schedule an appointment online today.