Thyroid Disease

Thyroid Disease Treatment in Miami Beach, FL

The human thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that produces hormones that affect virtually every metabolic process in your body.

Any dysfunction of this important part of your endocrine system is considered a thyroid disease.

Common Thyroid Problems

• Goiter – An abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland that can be caused by several thyroid disorders. A small goiter is usually harmless, while a large one may cause problems such as difficulty breathing, cough, or hoarseness. If you have a goiter, Dr. Lurie may conduct blood tests, imaging tests, or a biopsy to determine the cause.
• Thyroid nodules – A solid or fluid-filled lump in the thyroid that usually requires a biopsy to determine whether it is benign (noncancerous) or malignant. The vast majority of thyroid nodules are harmless and don’t cause any symptoms. To evaluate the nodule, Dr. Lurie may order blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels or a diagnostic test such as ultrasound or a thyroid scan to visualize the gland. He may also perform a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy to check for malignant cells.
• Hyperthyroidism – One of the most common thyroid problems in which the gland overproduces hormones. Causes include Grave’s disease, thyroid nodules, and thyroiditis.
• Hypothyroidism – A condition in which the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
• Subacute thyroiditis – Also called deQuervain's thyroiditis, the condition often occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection, causing pain in the neck due to an inflamed thyroid gland. At first the thyroid may produce too much hormone (hyperthyroidism), but as it heals it doesn’t release enough hormone (hypothyroidism). The condition usually resolves itself after a few months.
• Thyroid cancer – Fortunately, this is one of the least deadly types of cancer. Symptoms may include a goiter or nodule on the neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing, and hoarseness. Treatments may include surgery, radiation, radioactive iodine therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

As a board-certified endocrinologist, Dr. Alexander Lurie is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating all types of thyroid disease. Dr. Lurie provides personalized patient care, which means he will work with you to evaluate your symptoms and recommend a course of treatment that you fully understand.

For Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Problems, Contact Dr. Lurie Today!

To schedule a consultation, call the Miami Beach office of Alexander Lurie, MD, at (305) 456-4840 or use our convenient online request form and we will contact you to arrange your appointment.