Liposuction with Underactive Thyroid

Liposuction is a great way to achieve a more toned and sculpted figure. But if you have an underactive thyroid, this procedure may not be right for you.

Thyroid disease affects the way your body uses energy. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause weight gain, fatigue, and other symptoms that could make liposuction difficult or even dangerous.

The first step in determining whether or not liposuction is right for your situation is to consult with your doctor about any medical conditions you have that might make it difficult for you to recover from surgery. If you think liposuction might be something you want to consider, talk with your doctor about whether or not they recommend waiting until after treatment before proceeding with surgery. In this article, we’ll discuss liposuction meaning, liposuction and thyroid disease.

The term “liposuction” refers to a type of cosmetic surgery in which localized fat deposits are suctioned out of problem areas like the stomach, upper and lower extremities, and chin and neck. These areas can also be sculpted (contoured) with liposuction. Lipoplasty and body contouring are other names for liposuction.

When it comes to losing weight, liposuction isn’t usually considered to be a viable option. Liposuction is not as effective at helping overweight people lose weight as other methods, such as diet and exercise or bariatric procedures like gastric bypass surgery.

If you have localized fat deposits but are otherwise at a healthy weight, liposuction may be an option for you.

Liposuction And Thyroid Disease

Patients who have begun treatment for hypothyroidism can undergo liposuction and other elective surgeries without risk. (High TSH levels are commonly referred to as low thyroid function.) Patients with hyperthyroidism are typically not candidates for liposuction or any other type of elective surgery. (This is what most people mean when they say “high thyroid”; your TSH is low).

Hyperthyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than the body needs. It is sometimes called thyrotoxicosis, the technical term for too much thyroid hormone in the blood. About 1 percent of the U.S. population has hyperthyroidism. Women are much more likely to develop hyperthyroidism than men.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which the pituitary gland produces, causes the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).

Hormones Made by the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland makes two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Thyroid hormones affect metabolism, brain development, breathing, heart and nervous system functions, body temperature, muscle strength, skin dryness, menstrual cycles, weight, and cholesterol levels.

A third hormone produced by the thyroid gland, calcitonin, is not considered a thyroid hormone as such, but affects calcium levels in the blood and controls the buildup of calcium in the bones.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), produced by the pituitary, a different endocrine gland in the brain, controls the production of thyroid hormone.

What causes hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism has several causes, including

  • Graves’ disease
  • one or more thyroid nodules
  • thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland
  • ingesting too much iodine
  • overmedicating with synthetic thyroid hormone, which is used to treat underactive thyroid

A pituitary adenoma, a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland, very rarely causes hyperthyroidism. In this case, hyperthyroidism is due to too much TSH.

Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease, also known as toxic diffuse goiter, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system acts against its own healthy cells and tissues. In Graves’ disease, the immune system makes an antibody called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI), which mimics TSH and causes the thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone.

Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules, also called adenomas, are lumps in the thyroid. Thyroid nodules are common and usually noncancerous. About 3 to 7 percent of the population has them. However, nodules may become overactive and produce too much hormone. A single, overactive nodule is called a toxic adenoma.

When multiple nodules are overactive, the condition is called toxic multinodular goiter. Often found in older adults, toxic multinodular goiter can produce a large amount of excess thyroid hormone.

Thyroiditis

Several types of thyroiditis can cause hyperthyroidism. Thyroiditis does not cause the thyroid to produce excess hormone. Instead, it causes stored thyroid hormone to leak out of the inflamed gland and raise hormone levels in the blood.

Subacute thyroiditis. This condition involves painful inflammation and enlargement of the thyroid gland. Doctors aren’t sure what causes subacute thyroiditis, but it may be related to a viral or bacterial infection. The condition usually goes away on its own in a few months. Many people with subacute thyroiditis briefly develop hypothyroidism-when hormone levels are too low-after the hyperthyroidism resolves but before the thyroid gland is completely healed.

Postpartum thyroiditis. About 8 percent of women who have been pregnant develop postpartum thyroiditis within a few months of giving birth. Postpartum thyroiditis is believed to be an autoimmune condition and causes hyperthyroidism that usually lasts for 1 to 2 months. The condition is likely to recur with future pregnancies. As with subacute thyroiditis, women with postpartum thyroiditis often develop hypothyroidism before the thyroid gland is completely healed. In some women, the gland does not heal and hormone levels remain low. These women must take thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of their lives.

Silent thyroiditis. This type of thyroiditis is called “silent” because it is painless, as is postpartum thyroiditis, even though the thyroid may be enlarged. Like postpartum thyroiditis, silent thyroiditis is probably an autoimmune condition and sometimes develops into permanent hypothyroidism.

Iodine Ingestion

The thyroid gland uses iodine to make thyroid hormone, so the amount of iodine you consume influences the amount of thyroid hormone your thyroid makes. In some people, consuming large amounts of iodine may cause the thyroid to make excess thyroid hormone. Sometimes significant amounts of iodine are contained in medications-such as amiodarone, which is used to treat heart problems-or in supplements containing seaweed. Some cough syrups also contain large amounts of iodine.

Overmedicating with Thyroid Hormone

Some people who take thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism may take too much. If you take synthetic thyroid hormone, see your doctor at least once a year to have your thyroid hormone levels checked and follow your doctor’s instructions about the dose you take. Some medications may also interact with your synthetic thyroid hormone to raise levels in your blood. Ask your health care professional about drug interactions when starting new medications. 

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism has many symptoms that can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are

  • nervousness or irritability
  • fatigue or muscle weakness
  • trouble sleeping
  • heat intolerance
  • hand tremors
  • rapid and irregular heartbeat
  • frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
  • weight loss
  • mood swings
  • goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid that may cause your neck to look swollen

Who Is Likely To Develop Hyperthyroidism?

Radioiodine Therapy

Radioactive iodine-131 is a common and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. Because your thyroid gland collects iodine to make thyroid hormone, it will collect the radioactive iodine in the same way. The radioactive iodine will gradually destroy the cells that make up the thyroid gland but will not affect other tissues in the body.

Sometimes more than one round of radioiodine therapy is needed to bring thyroid hormone production into the normal range. In the meantime, treatment with beta blockers can control your symptoms.

Although iodine-131 is not known to cause birth defects or infertility, radioiodine therapy is not used in pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. Radioactive iodine can be harmful to the fetus’ thyroid, and it can be passed from mother to child in breast milk.

Almost everyone who receives radioactive iodine treatment eventually develops hypothyroidism. But doctors consider this an acceptable outcome, since hypothyroidism is easier to treat and has fewer long-term complications than hyperthyroidism. If you develop hypothyroidism, you will have to take some type of synthetic thyroid hormone replacement.

Thyroid Surgery

The least-used treatment is surgery to remove part or most of the thyroid gland. Doctors sometimes choose surgery to treat pregnant women who cannot tolerate antithyroid drugs, people with very large goiters, or people who have cancerous thyroid nodules. Keep in mind that hyperthyroidism does not cause cancer.

Before surgery, your doctor may temporarily bring your thyroid hormone levels into the normal range with antithyroid drugs. This presurgical treatment prevents a condition called thyroid storm-a sudden, severe worsening of symptoms-that can occur when hyperthyroid patients have general anesthesia.

A few days before your scheduled surgery, your doctor may give you nonradioactive iodine drops, such as Lugol’s iodine or supersaturated potassium iodide. This extra iodine will help reduce blood supply to the thyroid gland and make your surgery safer.

When part of the thyroid is removed-as a treatment for toxic nodules, for example-your thyroid hormone levels may return to normal. But some surgical patients may still develop hypothyroidism and need to take synthetic thyroid hormone. If your entire thyroid is removed, you will need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. After surgery, your doctor will continue to monitor your thyroid hormone levels.

Although uncommon, certain problems can occur in thyroid surgery. Your parathyroid glands could be damaged because they are located very close to your thyroid gland. These glands help control calcium levels in your body. Damage to the laryngeal nerve, also located close to the thyroid gland, could lead to voice changes or breathing problems. Less than 1% of patients who undergo surgery with an experienced surgeon experience permanent complications.

Signs of Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease affects as many as 20 million men and women in the United States — about 10% of the adult population. But alarmingly, nearly two-thirds of those people don’t even know they have a thyroid problem. 

Without treatment, thyroid disease can lead to serious medical problems. Learning to recognize the signs of thyroid disease is one of the best ways to ensure you get the care you need as early in the disease process as possible.

With locations in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, Tooele, and West Jordan, Utah, ENT Specialists provides patients with state-of-the-art treatment options for thyroid disease, along with the education they need to identify possible disease symptoms. Here are five symptoms you should know about.

Thyroid disease | Office on Women's Health

#1: Fatigue or problems sleeping

We all feel tired out from time to time. But if your thyroid is underactive, you can wind up feeling tired most of the time. When the thyroid gland is underactive, your heart rate can slow, and even mild exercise can make you feel worn out.

Hyperthyroidism has the opposite effect. When the gland is overactive, your heart rate can increase. You might even notice palpitations. Some people with hyperthyroidism have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or they may experience night sweats that interrupt their sleep.

#2: Unexplained changes in weight

Your body’s ability to convert food into usable energy is a process that the thyroid gland plays a significant role in regulating. In hyperthyroid disease, your thyroid gland “turns up” your metabolism, burning more calories at a faster rate than normal, which leads to weight loss without dieting. Hyperthyroidism may also result in an increased appetite.

On the flip side, hypothyroidism causes your metabolism to slow down, which means you don’t burn as many calories. With a “slow” thyroid, you can wind up gaining weight, even if you’re not eating more. On top of all this, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause changes in your bowels, including diarrhea and constipation.

#3: Swelling or lumps in the neck

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower front part of your neck. The sides of the gland “wrap around” your throat, just below your voice box. If you notice general swelling in this area or individual lumps or nodules, that could be a sign of a thyroid problem.

Sometimes, swelling or lumps are a sign of cancer. But these signs are often benign — that is, noncancerous — developing simply because the gland is malfunctioning. In either case, swelling or growths must be evaluated as soon as possible.

#4: Anxiety or mood changes

Hyperthyroidism increases your body’s energy stores, which can cause general feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or “jitters.” If your thyroid is overactive, you might find it’s hard to relax, calm down, or turn your mind off after a busy day.

Conversely, a slow or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause feelings of depression, interfering with the chemical balance that controls mood. You might also find it hard to focus or concentrate at work.

#5: Unusual changes in body temperature

Along with regulating metabolism, the thyroid gland also helps your body maintain a normal temperature. With hypothyroidism, it can be harder for your body to stay warm. That means you may feel the cold more easily than other people.

On the other hand, hyperthyroidism speeds up your metabolism, burning more calories and increasing your body temperature. As a result, you can feel overheated, even in a cool environment.

Custom Care for Thyroid Problems

A malfunctioning thyroid gland can cause a lot of changes in your health and your quality of life. The good news is, thyroid disease can be treated with medication or, when necessary, with surgery. If you’re having any of these symptoms, call the office or use our online form and book a visit to have your thyroid evaluated.

A malfunctioning thyroid gland can have a significant impact on your health and overall quality of life. The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including metabolism, heart rate, and energy levels. When the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, it can lead to a range of symptoms and health issues.

Some common symptoms of thyroid disease include:

  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Hair loss
  • Mood swings
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Sensitivity to cold or heat
  • Muscle weakness
  • Difficulty concentrating

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to have your thyroid evaluated by a healthcare professional. Thyroid disease can be diagnosed through blood tests that measure levels of thyroid hormones, such as TSH, T3, and T4. In some cases, imaging tests like ultrasound or a thyroid scan may be necessary to further evaluate the gland.

The good news is that thyroid disease is treatable. In many cases, medication can help regulate thyroid hormone levels and alleviate symptoms. Common medications for thyroid disease include levothyroxine, which is a synthetic form of the hormone T4. Surgery may be necessary in cases of thyroid cancer or severe thyroid nodules that are causing symptoms.

If you suspect you may have thyroid disease, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. You can call our office or use our online form to book a visit and have your thyroid evaluated by a healthcare professional. Early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease can help improve your quality of life and prevent complications.

In conclusion, a malfunctioning thyroid gland can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. If you are experiencing symptoms of thyroid disease, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can manage thyroid disease effectively and improve your overall quality of life.

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