Patient Education

Regina Paloyan Walker, M.D. would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Regina Paloyan Walker, M.D. provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. Depending on the cause of the condition, thyroiditis may or may not cause the gland to be tender or painful. Most cases of thyroiditis result first in the overactivity of the gland, or hyperthyroidism, and then underactivity of the gland, or hypothyroidism, before resolving. Thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and is 10 times more likely to occur in women. ...

Graves' Disease

Graves' disease is a disorder of the immune system resulting in the overproduction of hormones by the thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism. Like most other immune system irregularities, its cause is unknown, though research to date has shown that heredity, age, gender and stress level are risk factors for the condition. Graves' disease is the most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism and is most common in women between 20 and 40 years of age. Graves' disease is usually treatable and may even resolve on its own in a few months. Left untreated, however, a severe case can become life-threatening. ...

Hyperparathyroidism FAQs

What is hyperparathyroidism?

Hyperparathyroidism is the primary disease associated with the parathyroid glands. There are four parathyroid glands, located in the neck on the thyroid gland. Hyperparathyroidism results from excessive secretion of the parathyroid hormone, PTH, a hormone which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. ...

Thyroid Biopsy

During a thyroid biopsy, a small tissue sample is taken from the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that helps regulate the body's metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature.

If a lump is detected after a thyroid sonogram, a doctor may choose to perform a biopsy to determine whether the nodule is malignant. A biopsy may also be recommended if the thyroid gland is enlarged without explanation. ...

Goiter

A goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, a small gland at the base of the neck, below the Adam's apple, which is part of the endocrine system. The thyroid gland helps the body to use energy and keep warm, and keeps the muscles, the heart and other organs working efficiently. ...

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common condition that occurs when an underactive thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to properly manage many important functions of the body. The thyroid is the gland in the front of the neck that controls energy use and metabolic functions. If the thyroid gland is not active enough, it does not make enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs and causes certain functions of the body to slow down. As a result, functions such as heart rate, brain function and the rate that the body converts food into energy, all slow down. Women over the age of age of 60 are at the highest risk for developing hypothyroidism. If left untreated, this condition may cause a variety of health complications including obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease ...

Thyroid Surgery

The thyroid gland, located in the neck just below the larynx, regulates the body's energy levels, releasing hormones to regulate metabolism. Thyroid hormones influence virtually every system in the body, regulating the rate at which organs function, as well as the body's consumption of oxygen and production of heat. When hyperthyroidism, the production of too much thyroid hormone, occurs, and cannot be adequately controlled with medication or other treatment, thyroid surgery is necessary. ...

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important nutrient that aids in overall health by keeping bones strong and healthy. The body requires vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorous, which are crucial in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Although some studies seem to indicate that adequate levels of vitamin D can strengthen the immune system and protect against various health conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and high blood pressure, there is no definitive data to support that conclusion. ...

Hyperparathyroidism

The parathyroid glands are four small glands in the neck that are part of the endocrine system. They produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which maintains calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood.

The most common disease associated with the parathyroid glands is overproduction of PTH, known as hyperparathyroidism. Twice as many women as men suffer from this condition and the risk of developing hyperparathyroidism increases with age, more common in patients over the age of 60. Risk factors for hyperparathyroidism include having had radiation treatment to the head or neck. Rarely, cancer may be the cause of the condition. ...

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy, is an autoimmune disease that affects children and adults. It is a chronic digestive disorder that results in reaction to foods that contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. It is most often found in foods like bread, pasta, and pizza crust, but can also be found in products like medicine and lipstick. While this condition was once considered rare, it now affects more than 2 million people in the United States. ...

Sleep Apnea

People with sleep apnea stop breathing while they sleep, sometimes hundreds of times per night, and sometimes for a minute or longer. With normal breathing, air passes through the nose and past the flexible structures, such as the soft palate, uvula and tongue, in the back of the throat. When awake, the muscles hold this airway open. When asleep, these muscles relax, but the airway should remain open. In those who suffer from sleep apnea, the upper airway is blocked, causing oxygen levels to drop in both the brain and the blood. ...

Thyroid Cancer

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the throat that controls the body's heart rate, temperature and metabolism. Cancer of the thyroid gland can interrupt those vital functions, and lead to other complications. Fortunately, thyroid cancer can usually be successfully treated through minimally invasive methods. Thyroid tumors are somewhat common, and most are not cancerous. Cancer may develop as a result of age, exposure to radiation or a family history of goiters, cancer or other diseases. The thyroid is made up of follicular cells and C cells, either of which may develop cancer. ...

Thyroid Surgery FAQs

What does the thyroid gland do?

The thyroid gland, located in the neck just below the larynx, regulates the body's energy levels and metabolism. Thyroid hormones affect the body's oxygen consumption, temperature control, and overall functioning.

When is thyroid surgery necessary?

Thyroid surgery is used primarily to treat hyperthyroidism, hyperactivity of the thyroid gland. When a patient suffers from this condition, an excess of thyroid hormone is secreted by the gland. This may occur for several reasons, including benign thyroid nodules, Graves disease (an immune disorder), or thyroid cancer. Surgery is necessary if medications or other treatments, like radioactive iodine, are ineffective in getting hormone secretion to an appropriate level, or if one of the following conditions exists: ...