If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a hormonal condition, your primary care physician may suggest that you see a thyroid surgeon. But why? What can a thyroid surgeon do that your normal doctor can’t? Well, the fact is, a surgeon who specializes in the thyroid can provide you with a level of care that your regular doctor can’t. Here are some of the reasons your primary care physician might encourage you to see a specialist.
After You’ve Been Diagnosed
If your regular doctor diagnoses you with a health condition like hypothyroidism, they will likely suggest you see a thyroid surgeon soon after. Meeting with this specialized doctor will provide you and your regular care provider detailed insight into the nature and scope of your condition. It’s not uncommon for patients to visit with a thyroid surgeon only a few times before continuing to see their regular doctor instead. These few visits, however, offer your doctor the vital information they need to offer you a comprehensive treatment plan that can address your hormonal health issues.
If Regular Treatment Does Not Alleviate Your Symptoms
If after your initial visits with a thyroid surgeon, you and your regular doctor layout a treatment plan, and that plan doesn’t appear to be working, it’s time to visit the thyroid surgeon again. They can provide you with a second opinion and offer you updated or new treatment options that might work better. In many cases, finding the right concentration of thyroid medication is key, and often only a specialist can tailor the medication to your unique body.
If You’ve Been Diagnosed With Thyroid Cancer
A diagnosis of thyroid cancer is severe, and treatment is out of the hands of your regular doctor. By working with a thyroid surgeon, they can offer you treatment options, help to plan your recovery, and schedule follow-up appointment to monitor the cancer. While other doctors in related fields have treated thyroid cancer with some success, working with a specialist like a thyroid surgeon is the best way to ensure that your thyroid cancer is successfully treated.
If You Have A Goiter
In many cases, those who have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism often have a small goiter on their thyroid as well. In some cases, this goiter is small enough that is not visible and does not prevent an individual from swallowing or breathing normally. However, in some cases, the goiter can be large enough that it is visible on the side of the neck, and can interrupt someone’s ability to swallow and breath. In this case, it is important to see a thyroid surgeon to address the cause of the goiter and to discuss ways to remove and monitor the goiter. Even if you do not have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, but you do have a goiter, it’s important to meet with a thyroid surgeon.
While many may not realize it, the health of your endocrine system is responsible for the health of many of your other organs and bodily functions. While meeting with your regular care provider is important, it is also important to seek out the care of a thyroid surgeon when necessary. If you’ve been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, a goiter on your thyroid, or any number of other issues with your thyroid, be sure to contact the clinic of Dr. Kroeker today. As a leading member of the Austin medical community, Dr. Kroeker will utilize her years of specialized training to treat your health concerns and help you live your best life.
