Are you always tired…or always wired? It might be your thyroid. In this episode of Vital Voices, endocrinologist Dr. Carmen Cartwright from Oaktree Medical Center explains hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism in plain English—what symptoms to watch for, which tests matter, how treatment works, and what to expect long-term.
What you’ll learn
- Thyroid basics: what the gland does and the simple difference between underactive and overactive thyroid
- Spotting symptoms: everyday signs of hypothyroidism (fatigue, weight change, hair/skin shifts) and hyperthyroidism (racing heart, heat intolerance, anxiety, sleep issues)—plus urgent red flags
- Diagnostics: what TSH, Free T4, (± Free T3) and antibody tests (TPO, TRAb) show; when ultrasound or a radioactive iodine uptake scan is needed; common testing pitfalls (biotin, meds)
Treatment & management:
- Hypothyroid: how dosing is chosen, best time to take it, and absorption “gotchas” (coffee, calcium, iron)
- Hyperthyroid: options—antithyroid meds, radioactive iodine, surgery
- Special situations: pregnancy & postpartum, postpartum thyroiditis, kids/older adults, thyroid nodules/goiter—when to watch, biopsy, or treat
- Long-term outlook: how often to check labs once stable, what remission can look like, and planning for major life events (pregnancy, surgery, big weight changes)
If this helped you, share it with a friend and subscribe to @VitalVoices242 for more real-talk health conversations. Drop your questions in the comments for a follow-up Q&A.
