Suni Carroll, FNP, discusses common thyroid issues
ROME, Ga., March 5, 2025 – The thyroid is a relatively small gland that can cause big problems.
Women are between five and eight times more likely than men to develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime – especially after pregnancy or menopause. About 20 million people in the United States will have a thyroid condition at some point in their life.
“Body temperature, blood pressure and metabolism and many other functions of your body are regulated by your thyroid," said Suni Carroll, a family nurse practitioner with Atrium Health Floyd Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic OB-GYN.
Located in the front of the neck, the thyroid produces hormones for the body. It plays a significant role in pregnancy and conception and can affect the health of a growing fetus.
“Why more women than men are at a higher risk for thyroid condition is unknown," Carroll said. “It has been suggested that a person's autoimmune system and family history may be factors. But what we do know is one in eight women will likely be affected by a thyroid issue during her lifetime."
Common thyroid conditions include:
Hyperthyroidism
This is what happens when your thyroid is overactive and overproducing hormones. It is marked by weight loss, hand tremors, thinning, brittle hair and muscle weakness. Also, Graves' disease can occur when your thyroid is too active, attacking healthy tissue.
Hypothyroidism
Unexplained Weight gain is one possibly symptom of hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland is underactive. Other possible symptoms Include fatigue, feeling cold and dry skin. Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disease where antibodies from the immune system attack the thyroid due to hypothyroidism.
Goiter
This is what happens when your thyroid becomes unusually enlarged. That is usually a signal that something else is wrong with the gland. A goiter typically causes swelling in the neck and, if large enough, can be visible or felt.
Nodules
These can often become large enough to see or feel. Sometimes they don't cause any symptoms, but your provider should check regularly for any lumps.
“If you suspect you have a problem, a blood test is one of the best ways to diagnose a thyroid condition," Carroll said.
Carroll sees patients at Atrium Health Floyd Northwest Georgia Medical Clinic OB/GYN. To make an appointment, call 706-391-0884.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd strategically combined with Harbin Clinic in 2024 and employs more than 5,200 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at four facilities: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 361-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, also in Rome. Together, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide primary care, specialty care and urgent care throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Advocate Health is nationally recognized for its expertise in heart and vascular, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs more than 160,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to redefining care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.