WALL TOWNSHIP/TOMS RIVER, NJ – Diseases of the thyroid gland are very common, affecting millions of Americans. The most common ailments are hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid glands), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid glands) and thyroid enlargements due to overactivity or from underactivity. If you happen to be someone affected by a thyroid condition, Ocean Otolaryngology Associates (Ocean ENT) can help.
First, a diagnosis of a thyroid function abnormality, thyroid mass or goiter (lump) is made by taking a medical history and a physical examination. “In addition, blood tests and imaging studies or fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be required,” said Dr. Bruce W. Peters of Ocean ENT. “As part of your exam, your doctor will examine your neck and ask you to lift up your chin to make your thyroid gland more prominent. You may be asked to swallow during the examination, which helps to feel the thyroid and any mass in it.”
Depending on the nature of the condition, treatment may include thyroid hormone replacement pills; hyperthyroidism treatment; medication to block the effects of excessive production of thyroid hormone; radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid gland, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
“Thyroid surgery may be required when the fine needle aspiration is reported as suspicious or suggestive of cancer,” said Dr. Peters. “In some cases, surgery may be required when imaging shows that nodules have worrisome characteristics or that nodules are getting bigger; or if the trachea (windpipe) or esophagus are compressed because both lobes are very large.”
Thyroid surgery is an operation to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. “Typically, the operation removes the lobe of the thyroid gland containing the lump and possibly the isthmus,” said Dr. Peters. “A frozen section may be used to determine if the rest of the thyroid gland should be removed during the same surgery.”
If you think you may have a thyroid condition, please schedule an appointment with Ocean ENT by calling 732-281-0100. The Ocean ENT office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. For the most up-to-date information, please follow Ocean ENT on Facebook.
About Ocean ENT
Ocean ENT (Ocean Otolaryngology Associates, P.A.) is a respected provider of ear, nose and throat care serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. Ocean ENT’s board-certified physicians have extensive training and clinical experience and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends. A wide range of services, including treatment of sinus disease, thyroid disease, hoarseness, hearing loss, childhood ENT disorders and nasal breathing difficulty are provided at the practice’s Toms River and Manasquan offices. To learn more about Ocean ENT, visit https://oceanentnj.com or call 732-281-0100.
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Ocean ENT offers treatment options for thyroid conditions.