The disease spectrum is very wide and depends on whether they are connected to a tumor, a nodule or another disorder. During the consultation at our practice, we gladly inform you about this. Until then, pay attention to symptoms such as weight loss or gain, lethargy or fatigue, mood disorder or irritability, palpitations, cold or heat intolerance, digestive disorders like constipation or diarrhea, and many more. Since the thyroid has many different functions, the symptom as well as the disease spectrum is wide. As thyroid specialists, we gladly inform you about thyroid tumors, nodules, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or hyperthyroidism (hyperactive thyroid gland). This is the first step to successful therapy.

The thyroid doctor is able to perform the examination by inspecting the form and size of the thyroid via palpation or sonography (ultrasound). Both methods are painless and risk-free, and help to detect a tumor, nodules as well as changes in size or blood flow. Thyroid nodules are most commonly detected by these methods at our office in the region of Basel. If further studies are necessary, your thyroid specialist will perform a needle biopsy (a painlessly, minimal invasively obtained tissue sample) or transfer you to nuclear medicine. These studies are performed to evaluate the thyroid’s cell or hormone activity and to map thyroid nodules. Fine needle biopsy indicates if detected tissues changes are benign or malignant. Through a comprehensive thyroid examination, we assist you step by step in the clarification of a possible thyroid disorder.

Surgery is usually not necessary in these functional changes of the thyroid. In Baselland, we examine you on hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism. Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include low mood, constipation, lower performance capacity, fatigue, and an abnormal menstrual cycle in women, but also a depressed mood.
If the thyroid specialist detects a hyperactive thyroid gland, you may have any of the following symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, palpitations, diarrhea, muscle cramps, increased blood pressure, and many other. With a comprehensive examination of your thyroid gland, we are able to determine from which symptoms you suffer. Based on this, we offer a detailed thyroid counseling to prepare you for further treatment here in Baselland.

In most cases, a slowly progressing immunological process like a chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism. Surgery is usually not necessary when it comes to hypothyroidism, instead, a drug containing thyroid hormone is administered.
A common cause of hypothyroidism does not involve a tumor but is most likely due to a chronic course of Hashimoto thyroiditis. Often autoantibodies cause an inflammation, which can be detected in our office in the Basel region. After that our thyroid specialist will inform you about the further procedures. Surgery will only be necessary, if an additional nodular formation or a hardening of the thyroid gland is detected.

Rarely, the reason for hyperthyroidism is a malignant transformation of the thyroid tissue. The thyroid gland releases an excessive amount of thyroid hormones. These hormones can be released from a singular nodule (toxic adenoma), multiple nodules (nodular goiter) or from diffusely modified thyroid tissue (Graves’ disease). Graves’ disease is caused by circulating autoantibodies which lead to an excess thyroid hormone production.
A short-term underactive or hyperactive thyroid gland is rarely an acute dangerous condition. During a thyroid consultation with your thyroid specialist in Baselland, both thyroid disorders should be diagnosed promptly, clarified, and treated accordingly. Otherwise, they may lead to permanent health damage

A goiter is a change in thyroid tissue which leads to an enlarged thyroid gland. In the past, poor iodine supply was a common cause, but since iodine is added to nutrient salt, it has been eradicated in Basel and Baselland. Most causes of nodular thyroid disorders remain unknown. Existing thyroid nodules should be examined by a qualified thyroid specialist, and should be taken seriously. Not all that uncommon, glandular carcinoma develops from a slow growing nodule over years.

Since iodine is added to table salt in the region of Basel and Baselland, iodine deficiency has become a rarity in our region. Additionally, there is no reason to add extra iodine to your diet. Exceptional situations will be discussed with your thyroid specialist during the consultation.

How and why a thyroid nodule develops into cancer is currently being researched. Some thyroid nodules change over the years. Therefore, it is not uncommon that a benign nodule changes into a malignant. The various types of thyroid cancer can usually be cured, if diagnosed early by a thyroid specialist. Hence, it is highly recommended to clarify every change in shape, consistency, and thyroid nodule formation by competent diagnostic procedures.

The main part of thyroid counseling and subsequent treatment is the correction of hormone deficit or overproduction, respectively. This can be achieved due to administration of oral tablets, which usually only have to be taken once per day. Often treatment has to be continued lifelong, and only dosage, but not the agent, might be adjusted by the thyroid specialist. In our region of Basel and Baselland, regular monitoring of hormone levels is part of thyroid counseling, so that possible unwanted hormone changes are corrected early.
If symptoms of hyperthyroidism remain despite treatment with tablets, thyroid surgery or nuclear medicine treatment may be an alternative.

An important blood value is TS hormone (TSH), which is secreted from the brain and regulates the secretion and formation of thyroid hormones. Hormone secretion is adjusted according to the body’s needs. The thyroid specialist can make assumptions about hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism according to an increased or decreased TSH level. For a more detailed diagnosis, more thyroid relevant parameters have to be measured. Occasionally, a person’s own immune system attacks the thyroid tissue. Your thyroid specialist will explain to you the complex relations between thyroid hormones with other body hormones.