Osteoporosis & Thyroid Disease Services Offered in Frisco, TX
Thyroid Disease
Up to 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disease. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can reduce uncomfortable side effects and thrive. At Signature Internal Medicine, concierge internal medicine specialists Humera Ahmed, MD, and Dina Diehl, DO, provide complete care for thyroid disease, including patient education, prescription medication, and referrals to endocrinologists. To make an appointment, call the office in Frisco, Texas, or book online today.
Thyroid Disease Q & A
What is thyroid disease?
Thyroid disease refers to a group of conditions that affect your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. Your thyroid produces a wide range of hormones that control many bodily functions, including your heart rate and appetite.
If your thyroid produces too many or too few hormones, it increases your risk of other health problems. Fortunately, there are several treatments that can provide relief.
What are the types of thyroid disease?
Signature Internal Medicine diagnosis and treats the two main types of thyroid disease:
1)Hyperthyroid
Hyperthyroidism causes your thyroid gland to overproduce the hormone thyroxine. That causes various symptoms, including a rapid heartbeat, unexplained weight loss, and excess sweating.
2)Hypothyroid
Hypothyroidism means your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. The condition develops slowly and doesn’t always present symptoms early on.
What are the symptoms of thyroid disease?
The symptoms of thyroid disease include:
How is thyroid disease diagnosed?
Signature Internal Medicine diagnoses thyroid disease during an in-office visit.
Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. Then, they do a physical exam.
During the exam, your provider examines your neck and thyroid, looking for signs of redness or swelling. They also order a series of blood tests to test the levels of certain hormones in your blood, including:
Your provider might also test for thyroid antibodies, calcitonin, or thyroglobulin. If your blood tests show abnormal hormone levels, your provider develops a custom treatment plan.
How is thyroid disease treated?
Treatment of thyroid disease depends on several factors, including the type and severity of your symptoms. Signature Internal Medicine might recommend:
If noninvasive treatments don’t provide relief, your provider might recommend surgery to remove the thyroid (thyroidectomy).
Osteoporosis
More than 12% of Americans aged 50 and older have osteoporosis, a disease that increases the risk of fractures and other musculoskeletal problems. At Signature Internal Medicine, concierge internal medicine providers Humera Ahmed, MD, and Dina Diehl, DO, provide complete care for osteoporosis, including prescription medication, exercise guidance, and hormone replacement therapy. To make an appointment, call the office in Frisco, Texas, or book online today.
Osteoporosis Q & A
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is an incurable disease that causes your bones to weaken and deteriorate. The condition develops slowly, so you might not realize anything’s wrong until you fall or suddenly break a bone.
Osteoporosis can affect any of the bones in your body, but it’s most common in the hips, wrists, and spine.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
The symptoms of osteoporosis include:
As the disease worsens, you might also experience lower back pain.
Who is at risk of experiencing osteoporosis?
Anyone aged 50 or older can develop osteoporosis, but several factors may increase your risk, including:
You might also experience osteoporosis if your diet doesn’t include calcium or vitamin D, which help build and strengthen your bones.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
The only way to diagnose osteoporosis is with an imaging test called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. Your Signature Internal Medicine provider can refer you to a nearby radiology facility for testing.
Once your provider receives your test results, they schedule a follow-up appointment and explain them to you.
Signature Internal Medicine recommends that all women aged 65 and older and all men aged 70 and older undergo a DEXA scan.
How is osteoporosis treated?
Treatment of osteoporosis often includes a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and prescription medication. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen your bones and slow down their deterioration.
Depending on your needs, the team might recommend:
If a certain medication doesn’t work for you, your Signature Internal Medicine provider adjusts your treatment plan as necessary.
How can I reduce my risk of osteoporosis?
The easiest way to reduce your risk of osteoporosis is to eat a diet that’s rich in calcium. Aside from dairy products, like milk and cheese, consider eating foods like sardines, broccoli, or dried figs. It’s also important to stay active by lifting weights; resistance exercises help increase bone density.