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Think you may have thyroid disease?

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Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition where your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. It affects up to 15% of Americans, and is 6 times more common in women than men.

Untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, including high cholesterol, heart disease, infertility and depression. A few simple blood tests can help diagnose hypothyroidism.

Diagnosing Hypothyroidism

Are you feeling especially fatigued or have unexplained weight gain? If your provider suspects that you may have hypothyroidism based on your symptoms, past medical history, and family history, they will ask you to complete an initial blood test screening for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

How We Administer TSH Tests
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Our Partner Lab

$21 (insurance accepted)

We partner with Quest Diagnostics to administer the TSH and thyroxine tests (pricing may vary in NY).


Lab of Your Choice

Pricing may vary

Getting Your Lab Results
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Your Alpha Provider will contact you to discuss the results of your TSH test and next steps. If your TSH level is elevated, in combination with other risk factors, your provider will ask you to repeat the TSH and thyroxine (free T4) blood tests to confirm whether you have underactive thyroid before prescribing medication. The tests can be completed via:

Our Partner Lab

$21 (insurance accepted)

We partner with Quest Diagnostics to administer the TSH and thyroxine (free T4) tests (pricing may vary in NY).


Lab of Your Choice

Pricing may vary

Already Diagnosed with Hypothyroidism?
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We can treat you with just the initial TSH test.

Get the Treatment You Need

The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is synthetic thyroid hormone, levothyroxine. This medication is FDA-approved.

Synthetic Levothyroxine
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Hypothyroidism is treated by replacing the hormone that your own thyroid can no longer make. This oral medication is used daily to restore adequate hormone levels, thus reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism like weight gain, cholesterol levels, and fatigue.

Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong. After 6 to 8 weeks of initiating treatment, your provider will ask you to complete another TSH test to adjust the dosage if needed. Once you have reached the appropriate dosage, you’ll likely repeat the test in 6 months, and then subsequently once a year.

  • Levothryoxine
  • Synthroid

Your Alpha Provider can help you find the right dose of treatment that is simple, safe, and effective.

Get Treated
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Learn About Hypothyroidism

Do you have hypothyroidism? What causes it and what are the risk factors?

Symptoms & Causes
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SYMPTOMS

  • fatigue
  • weight gain
  • a puffy face
  • trouble tolerating cold
  • joint and muscle pain
  • constipation
  • dry skin
  • dry, thinning hair
  • decreased sweating
  • heavy or irregular menstrual periods
  • fertility problems
  • depression
  • slowed heart rate
  • goiter

Causes

  • Hashimoto’s (autoimmune) disease or inflammation of the thyroid
  • Congenital hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism that is present at birth)
  • Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid
  • Radiation or iodine treatment of the thyroid
  • Medications
Risk Factors
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Women are much more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism. The disease is also more common among people older than age 60.

YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM IF YOU:

  • have had a thyroid problem before, such as a goiter
  • have had surgery to correct a thyroid problem
  • have received radiation treatment to the thyroid, neck, or chest
  • have a family history of thyroid disease
  • were pregnant in the past 6 months
  • have Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects women
  • have Down’s Syndrome
  • have other health problems, including: Sjögren’s syndrome, a disease that causes dry eyes and mouth; pernicious anemia, a condition caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency; type 1 diabetes; rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects the joints; systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a chronic inflammatory condition
  • a family history of thyroid disease
  • a family history of autoimmune disease, e.g., type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis

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