Hypothyroidism Center - Waterloo, IA
Waterloo Endocrinologist Doctors for HypothyroidismType of Physician: Endocrinologist What is a Endocrinologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat disorders of the internal (endocrine) glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Endocrinology also deals with disorders such as diabetes, metabolic and nutritional disorders, pituitary diseases, and menstrual and sexual problems. Specialty: Endocrinology Common Name: Endocrinologist Doctors in Waterloo * Westside Family Practice  Iowa Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism  Janet Schlechte MD  McFarland Clinic Endocrinology Waterloo, IowaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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HypothyroidismRead the Hypothyroidism article » What is hypothyroidism?Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by abnormally low thyroid hormone production. There are many disorders that result in hypothyroidism. These disorders may directly or indirectly involve the thyroid gland. Because thyroid hormone affects growth, development, and many cellular processes, inadequate thyroid hormone has widespread consequences for the body. This article will focus specifically on hypothyroidism in adults.
What are thyroid hormones?Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. This gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple. The gland wraps around the windpipe (trachea) and has a shape that is similar to a butterfly - formed by two wings (lobes) and attached by a middle part (isthmus). The thyroid gland uses iodine (mostly available from the diet in foods such as seafood, bread, and salt) to produce thyroid hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which account for 99% and 1% of thyroid hormones present in the blood respectively. However, the hormone with the most biological activity is T3. Once released from the thyroid gland into the blood, a large amount of T4 is converted into T3 - the active hormone that affects the metabolism of cells.
Thyroid hormone regulation- the chain of commandThe thyroid itself is regulated by another gland that is located in the brain, called the pituitary. In turn, the pituitary is regulated in part by the thyroid (via a "feedback" effect of thyroid hormone on the pituitary gland) and by another gland called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus releases a hormone called thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), which sends a signal to the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In turn, TSH sends a signal to the thyroid to relea... Recommended Reading Related to HypothyroidismPremature Ovarian Failure (POF) » What is premature ovarian failure (POF)?Health care providers use the term premature ovarian failure to describe a stop in normal functioning of the ovaries in a woman under the age of 40. Many women naturally experience a decline in fertility at age 40; this age may also mark the beginning of irregularities in their menstrual cycles that signal the onset of menopause. For women with premature ovarian failure, the fertility decline and menstrual irregularities occur before age 40, sometimes even in the teens. Some health care providers also use the term primary ovarian insufficiency to describe this condition. In the past, health care providers called this condition premature menopause, but this term is not an accurate description of what happens in a woman with premature ovarian failure. A woman who has gone through natural menopause will rarely ever have another period; a woman with premature ovarian failure is much more likely to have ... Other Related Hypothyroidism ArticlesEmergency Contact for Waterloo
Nearby Waterloo Hospitals *Covenant Medical Center Allen Memorial Hospital Sartori Memorial Hospital Waverly Health Center  Mental Health Institute  Grundy County Memorial Hospital  Buchanan County Health Center  Mercy Hospital Oelwein  Community Memorial Hospital  Virginia Gay Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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