Thyroid Disorders: Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid is a small gland in the front of the neck that makes hormones controlling how the body uses energy. A thyroid disorder happens when the gland makes too little hormone, called hypothyroidism, or too much hormone, called hyperthyroidism. These hormones affect breathing, heart rate, weight, digestion, and mood, so an imbalance can be felt throughout the body. Avita MD primary care providers diagnose and manage thyroid disorders for adults in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos.

What are the symptoms of thyroid disorders?

Thyroid symptoms often develop slowly and can be mistaken for everyday stress or aging. The direction of the imbalance shapes which symptoms appear.

• Fatigue, low energy, or feeling run down
• Unexplained weight gain (hypothyroidism) or weight loss (hyperthyroidism)
• Feeling unusually cold or unusually hot
• A slowed or racing heartbeat
• Dry skin, thinning hair, or brittle nails
• Mood changes, anxiety, or trouble concentrating

Hypothyroid vs hyperthyroid symptoms

Feature	Hypothyroidism (too little)	Hyperthyroidism (too much)
Energy	Tired, sluggish	Restless, anxious
Weight	Tends to gain	Tends to lose
Temperature	Feels cold	Feels hot, sweaty
Heart rate	Slowed	Fast or irregular
Mood	Low mood, brain fog	Irritable, jittery

How does Avita MD diagnose and treat thyroid disorders?

Diagnosis starts with a simple blood test that measures thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone levels. Avita MD draws these labs on-site at all three locations, so there is no separate trip to an outside lab. If results point to a thyroid problem, your provider explains what the numbers mean and builds a treatment plan with you.

Hypothyroidism is usually treated with daily thyroid hormone replacement, and the dose is fine-tuned with follow-up labs. Hyperthyroidism is managed based on its cause and may involve medication, radioactive iodine, or referral for further care. Because Avita MD keeps your results in one place over time, your provider can track trends and adjust treatment with longitudinal data rather than a single snapshot.

Same-day and next-day appointments make it easy to get evaluated when symptoms first appear, and the practice coordinates referrals to endocrinology when a nodule, an enlarged thyroid, or a complex case calls for specialist input.

When should you see a doctor about thyroid disorders?

See a primary care provider if you have ongoing fatigue, unexplained weight change, a racing or very slow heartbeat, or persistent feelings of being too cold or too hot. A neck swelling, a lump in the front of the neck, or trouble swallowing also deserves prompt evaluation. People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should have thyroid function checked, since untreated thyroid disease can affect both parent and baby. If you already take thyroid medication and your symptoms return, schedule a visit so your levels can be rechecked and your dose adjusted.