How It Works
Choose an appointment, create your account, and complete the health assessment.
Pay for your visit or enter an eligibility code from your health plan or employer.
Appointments are via secure messaging or video chat depending on requirements in your state.
Your provider will create a treatment plan just for you along with prescriptions where appropriate.
Thyroid Conditions
Hypothyroidism results from an underactive thyroid gland that isn’t producing sufficient amounts of vital hormones. These hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), affect your entire metabolic system, body temperature, and heart rate. Because of this, thyroid hormone levels have a tremendous impact on your health. While thyroid issues may not be noticeable during the early stages, untreated hypothyroidism will eventually present itself through a range of symptoms depending on the level of hormone deficiency. These deficiencies can cause severe problems over time, and extremely low levels can cause a life-threatening condition called myxedema.
Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed through a blood test and treated with a synthetic thyroid hormone prescription. You should begin to feel an immediate improvement once taking the medication, although it could take some time to find the correct dosage. Through AZOVA™, you can schedule a virtual consultation to discuss your thyroid issues with one of our medical providers. Once diagnosed, your doctor will be able to prescribe your thyroid medication, monitor your response, and adjust your dosage virtually.
Causes and Symptoms of Thyroid Issues
There are several causes for hypothyroidism, including:
- Autoimmune disease
- Over-correction after hyperthyroidism treatment (including anti-thyroid medication and thyroid removal surgery)
- Radiation therapy used to treat cancer
- Iodine deficiency
- Unintended side effects of certain medications.
Likewise, hypothyroidism can result from congenital disease in babies born with a defective thyroid or without one at all. Some women can also develop an under-active thyroid during or after pregnancy.
While there are over 200 potential symptoms of hypothyroidism, the major symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Unexplained weight gain
- Goiter (enlarging of the thyroid gland)
- Joint and muscle aching, weakness, tenderness, and stiffness
If you’re feeling abnormally tired, cold, or experiencing any other symptoms of hypothyroidism, it’s important to schedule a virtual consultation with an experienced healthcare professional as soon as possible to address hypothyroidism in the early stages.
Diagnosing and Treating Thyroid Issues Virtually
During your virtual doctor’s visit, your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, medications you’re taking, and if you’ve had thyroid surgery or radiation treatment. Blood testing is the most common method used to confirm an under-active thyroid. The test will measure the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 present in your blood.
If THS levels are high, your brain (specifically your pituitary gland) is attempting to stimulate your thyroid gland due to low levels of thyroid hormones which indicates an under-active thyroid. THS levels are also an essential factor in managing hypothyroidism, which will help your doctor determine your thyroid medication dosage.
The standard treatment for hyperthyroidism is a synthetic thyroid hormone that helps to rebalance hormone levels. The name of the medication is levothyroxine which includes the brands Levo-T and Synthroid. Your doctor will likely want to check your THS levels after six to eight weeks to ensure you’re receiving the proper dosage and then revisit those levels six months later. Once the correct dosage is determined, your doctor will check your THS levels every year to make adjustments. Levothyroxine will likely be a life-long treatment taken daily.
Alternative treatments include a natural extract of thyroid hormones derived from pigs' thyroid glands, which contain both T3 and T4 hormones. In contrast, synthetic thyroid medications only contain T4 from which your body will create T3. These extracts are available by prescription only. They should not be confused with over-the-counter supplements sold at health stores which the FDA doesn’t regulate.
Addressing Thyroid Issues with AZOVA™
AZOVA™ provides an excellent alternative to in-person hypothyroidism treatment. Our HIPAA-secure platform allows you to schedule a virtual appointment and discuss your thyroid issues from the comfort of your home in the confidence of an experienced healthcare professional.
To get started, select the “thyroid issues” option, then create your AZOVA™ account. Our website will then direct you to complete a step-by-step health review. At the time of your appointment, your doctor will conduct an initial evaluation and recommend your best course of action. Your doctor will give you directions for any necessary blood tests and then write your thyroid prescription based on their results. You will be able to select your delivery options through the AZOVA™ mobile app, and your medication will be delivered directly to your door regularly.
What You Get
- Consultation with a medical practitioner for (almost) anything you need
- Virtual visit via video call or secure messaging based upon your condition and requirements in your state.
- New prescription or refill if needed
- We’ll provide diagnosis and treatment for your medical conditions online. Our team of physicians and nurse practitioners are licensed in all 50 states.
- We'll write prescriptions and order lab work as needed for your care.
- Your virtual medical assistant is available 24/7 and will work with the pharmacy and lab to make sure you get what you need.
- We don’t treat certain medical conditions online including problems that require a hands on exam.
- We don’t prescribe the following online.
Opioids and other controlled substances like:
- Adderall
- Ativan
- Norco
- Oxycodone
- Valium
- Xanax
Psychiatric drugs like:
- Abilify
- Gabapentin
- Lithium
Lifestyle drugs like:
- Chantix
- Contrave
- Qsymia
- Always call 911 or your local emergency service immediately if you experience any of the following medical issues:
- Chest Pain or Pressure
- Convulsion or Seizure
- Difficulty Breathing
- Unconsciousness
- Significant, Uncontrolled Bleeding
- Pain Medication Overdose or Reaction (Narcotics)
- Moderate to Severe Burn
- Serious Head, Neck, or Back Injury
- Serious Limb Impairment or Broken Bone
- Poisoning
- Suicidal Ideation
- Mental Health or Substance Abuse Urgency
We are here to help. Contact us now.
You can chat with AZOVA’s Customer Support team or give us a call for comprehensive support, including help with your account, testing, and results.
(844) 692–9682