Quality of Life Interventions for Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders

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William B. Inabnet, MD
Director, New York Thyroid Center of Columbia University
Columbia University Medical Center
In Affiliation with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
phone: 212-227-2762

Thyroid disorders are extremely common in the U.S., with over 20 million people undergoing treatment. Women are especially vulnerable, as thyroid disease is up to eight times more common in women than in men. Parathyroid disorders are generally less common, occurring twice as often in women. Because these disorders tend to have multiple symptoms, may involve ongoing medical consultations, and sometimes require specialized surgery, a dedicated center may offer a comprehensive approach to treatment.

Located just above the collar bone, the thyroid gland secretes hormones the body depends upon to regulate metabolism. The four parathyroid glands surround the thyroid gland and secrete hormones that regulate blood calcium levels.

Thyroid and parathyroid disorders include:

• Hypothyroidism—thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, joint pain, increased sensitivity to cold, and depression.
• Hyperthyroidism—thyroid gland produces too much hormone, speeding up metabolism. Symptoms include sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nervousness and irritability, goiter (enlarged thyroid).
• Thyroid nodules/lumps—can indicate the presence of cancer, but most often are noncancerous with no symptoms. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include hoarseness, or trouble swallowing or breathing.
• Hyperparathyroidism—parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone. Symptoms include fatigue, frequent urination, bone demineralization (osteoporosis), and kidney stones.

Diagnosis of thyroid and parathyroid disorders is often simple, consisting of a blood test and a physical examination. If you have a sudden onset of symptoms resembling a thyroid or parathyroid disorder, you should not hesitate to visit your primary care physician.

For more information, please visit the New York Thyroid Center site.

Quality of Life Interventions from the Columbia University Department of Surgery