Thyroid Specialist

Jonas Leibowitz, MD

Endocrinologist located in Yonkers, NY

If you’ve struggled to maintain your weight over the years or constantly feel run down, it’s time to see Jonas Leibowitz, MD. As a top internist and endocrinologist in Yonkers, New York, Dr. Leibowitz not only diagnoses thyroid disorders, he also finds just the right hormone medication to fit your needs. The office of Jonas Leibowitz, MD is currently accepting new patients who struggle with thyroid disorders. You can make your appointment online, or call the office.

914-650-2806

Thyroid Q & A

What does the thyroid do?

Your thyroid is a small gland, shaped like a butterfly, right inside the front of your neck. Its job is to produce thyroid hormones, specifically triiodothyronine and thyroxine (T3 and T4, respectively).

These hormones regulate your metabolism, or how your body breaks down food and utilizes energy. When your thyroid isn’t functioning properly, or you have your thyroid removed, it affects every system in your body, since cells don’t get the energy they need.

Why do I have thyroid problems?

Thyroid hormone issues can be broken down into one of two categories: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid hormone levels are abnormally low. This can come from:

An autoimmune disorder
Having your thyroid removed
Too much iodine in your system
Exposure to lithium

Hyperthyroidism is the exact opposite — your thyroid levels are too high. If your thyroid is overproducing thyroid hormones, it could be a warning sign of:

Thyroid inflammation
Pituitary gland malfunctions
Thyroid cancer
Graves disease
Thyroid nodules

Will I know if I have a thyroid disorder?

Possibly. You might have some symptoms that let Dr. Leibowitz know that he needs to run some labs to check for thyroid disorders. General symptoms of thyroid disease include:

Difficulty swallowing
Fatigue and poor concentration
Widespread aches and pains

When your thyroid levels are low, you might also notice:

Fluid retention
Weight gain
Regular chills
Prolonged menstrual periods

Having high thyroid levels has its own unique symptoms, too. With hyperthyroidism, you may experience:

An irregular heartbeat
High cholesterol
Heat sensitivity
Tremors and shakes
Shorter menstrual periods

How are thyroid issues treated?

Dr. Leibowitz treats your thyroid disorder based on the cause of your thyroid hormone imbalance. If your thyroid hormones are low (hypothyroidism), you probably need medications to replace them. If your thyroid is still intact, medications can stimulate thyroid hormone production. It’s likely that you need these medications for the rest of your life.

With high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism), Dr. Leibowitz could suggest taking an anti-thyroid medication or going through a radioactive iodine treatment. It’s also possible that you may need surgery to have your thyroid removed, although this is always the last resort.

What we offer