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At Endocare in Dubai Healthcare City, we diagnose and treat a wide range of thyroid conditions in the UAE. They include an underactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, thyroid nodules and hormone replacement after thyroid surgery. Because thyroid symptoms can overlap with other conditions, we use blood tests and, when needed, ultrasound or other investigations to reach a diagnosis. Your endocrinologist will plan your treatment and adjust it to your own response.
- Your endocrinologist reads thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) together with free thyroxine (free T4), because the two results together help separate an underactive thyroid from an overactive one.
- In a Dubai primary care study of 77,758 adults referred for thyroid testing, 2.1% had an underactive thyroid, and 81.5% of those patients were women.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states that Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
- NIDDK names Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition, as the most common cause of an overactive thyroid.
- The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests considering yearly TSH testing once a person’s TSH has stabilised on levothyroxine.
- Our endocrinologists manage hormone replacement and monitoring after thyroid surgery, which is performed by a surgeon outside Endocare.
01 Introduction
The thyroid is a small gland at the front of the neck that produces hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolic rate. When the gland produces too little or too much hormone, the effects can include changes in heart rate, bowel habit, the menstrual cycle, body weight, mood and concentration.
02 The thyroid conditions we treat
Our endocrinologists treat the following thyroid conditions at our Dubai clinic.
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
An underactive thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states that most cases of hypothyroidism are mild or have few obvious symptoms. Treatment replaces the missing hormone with a once-daily tablet. Treatment for an underactive thyroid also includes repeat blood tests until your hormone level is stable.
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
An overactive thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. NIDDK reports that around 1 out of 100 Americans aged 12 and older have hyperthyroidism. Treatment options include antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine and surgery. Treatment for an overactive thyroid depends on the cause, the size of the gland and your own circumstances.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid. NIDDK states that it is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Thyroid antibodies can be present while thyroid function is still normal. At that stage, your endocrinologist may monitor your symptoms and thyroid hormone levels without starting treatment.
Graves’ disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid to produce too much hormone. NIDDK states that around 4 out of 5 cases of hyperthyroidism in the United States are caused by Graves’ disease. NIDDK also states that more than 1 in 3 people with the condition develop an eye disease called Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Thyroid nodules
A thyroid nodule is a lump within the gland. The American Thyroid Association reports that by age 60, around one-half of all people have a thyroid nodule that can be found by examination or imaging. It also reports that over 90% of these nodules are benign. An assessment of thyroid nodules helps your endocrinologist decide whether a biopsy is needed.
Hormone replacement after thyroid surgery
Endocare does not perform thyroid surgery. Where your thyroid has been partly or fully removed elsewhere, our endocrinologists manage the hormone replacement and the monitoring that follow. The American Thyroid Association states that patients who undergo complete removal will require lifelong supplementation with thyroid hormone. Care after thyroid surgery can also include checking your calcium level, because the parathyroid glands that control calcium lie next to the thyroid.
03 The symptoms of an underactive and an overactive thyroid
An underactive thyroid and an overactive thyroid often cause opposite symptoms. NIDDK lists the common symptoms of each.
| An underactive thyroid | An overactive thyroid |
|---|---|
| Fatigue | Nervousness, irritability, trouble sleeping and fatigue |
| Weight gain | Weight loss despite an increased appetite |
| Trouble tolerating cold | Sweating, or trouble tolerating heat |
| A slowed heart rate | A rapid or irregular heartbeat |
| Joint and muscle pain | Shaky hands and muscle weakness |
| Dry skin, or dry and thinning hair | Frequent bowel movements |
| Heavy or irregular periods, or fertility problems | A goitre, meaning an enlargement in the neck |
| Depression |
04 Who should have their thyroid tested
We recommend a thyroid function test if you have symptoms from either list above. Testing is also reasonable in several situations where symptoms may be absent.
- A family history of thyroid disease
- Another autoimmune condition
- Previous thyroid surgery or radiation treatment to the neck
- A lump or swelling at the front of the neck
- Pregnancy, or planning a pregnancy
- Unexplained weight change, persistent fatigue or a change in heart rhythm
Many thyroid conditions cannot be prevented, because the most common causes are autoimmune. Testing early can shorten the time a thyroid condition goes untreated. In the UAE, you can see an endocrinologist directly, with no GP referral needed, for concerns related to hormones, weight, metabolism or blood sugar. If you plan to use health insurance, we recommend checking your policy before you book, because some insurers require a referral or pre-approval.
05 How our endocrinologists diagnose a thyroid condition
Your endocrinologist will assess your symptoms alongside the appropriate thyroid tests to understand what is actually driving them and determine the right treatment. NIDDK states that a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism cannot be based on symptoms alone.
What your TSH and free T4 results mean together
TSH is released by the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid. It typically rises when the thyroid is underactive and falls when the thyroid is overactive. Reading TSH alongside free T4, the main hormone the thyroid releases, helps identify which pattern is present.
| Result pattern | What it indicates | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Raised TSH with a low free T4 | Overt hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid | Your endocrinologist will start thyroid hormone replacement and re-check your levels |
| Raised TSH with a normal free T4 | Subclinical hypothyroidism | Your endocrinologist will repeat the test before deciding whether to treat |
| Low TSH with a raised free T4 or free T3 | Overt hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid | Your endocrinologist will identify the cause before choosing a treatment route |
| Low TSH with a normal free T4 and free T3 | Subclinical hyperthyroidism | Your endocrinologist will repeat the test and look for a cause |
| Low or normal TSH with a low free T4 | An uncommon pattern that can point to the pituitary gland | Your endocrinologist will investigate further before starting treatment |
| Normal TSH with a normal free T4 | Normal thyroid function | Your endocrinologist will look elsewhere for the cause of your symptoms |
The patterns in this table follow the definitions used by NIDDK and by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Laboratories publish their own reference ranges, and the range used in pregnancy differs from the range used outside it. Your endocrinologist reads your result against your own laboratory’s range.
Thyroid antibodies, and what a positive result tells you
A thyroid antibody test can identify an autoimmune cause. NIDDK states that thyroid peroxidase antibodies are present in most people with Hashimoto’s disease. In Graves’ disease, NIDDK states that the immune system makes an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin. A positive result can help explain why the thyroid is underactive or overactive. Your endocrinologist will base treatment decisions mainly on your thyroid hormone levels.
When a thyroid ultrasound is needed
NICE recommends offering an ultrasound scan to people with normal thyroid function who have a thyroid swelling or a lump that can be felt, where cancer is suspected. An ultrasound describes the size and appearance of any nodule. It does not measure thyroid function, so your endocrinologist arranges it alongside blood tests.
06 How thyroid conditions are treated
Treatment depends on the direction of the problem and on its cause. Where a procedure is required, your endocrinologist will arrange it with the appropriate specialist.
Replacing the hormone when the thyroid is underactive
Your endocrinologist will treat an underactive thyroid with levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone medication identical to the hormone a healthy thyroid makes. Your endocrinologist will adjust the dose from repeat blood tests until your TSH is within the reference range, which NICE sets as the aim of treatment.
Reducing the hormone when the thyroid is overactive
An overactive thyroid can be treated with antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine or surgery. Your endocrinologist will discuss these options with you once the cause is known. NIDDK gives an average total treatment time of around one to two years for antithyroid medication. NIDDK also states that almost everyone treated with radioactive iodine later develops an underactive thyroid. A beta-blocker can ease symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat and shaky hands while the main treatment takes effect. NIDDK notes that beta-blockers do not stop thyroid hormone production.
When thyroid surgery may be needed
The American Thyroid Association lists the reasons for thyroid surgery as a nodule suspicious for thyroid cancer on biopsy, thyroid cancer, and a goitre causing difficulty lying down, swallowing or breathing. Its list also includes hyperthyroidism caused by a nodule that is overproducing thyroid hormone, or by a condition affecting the whole gland, such as Graves’ disease. Where an operation is indicated, your endocrinologist will refer you to a surgeon. Our endocrinologists can then manage the hormone replacement and monitoring that follow.
07 How often your thyroid is re-tested
For people being tested for a suspected thyroid problem, NICE advises considering a repeat test if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, but no sooner than six weeks after the most recent test. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms need prompt medical advice, without waiting for a repeat test. For adults taking levothyroxine, the NICE thyroid disease guideline advises considering a TSH test every three months until the level is stable, and then once a year. A stable level means two similar results within the reference range, three months apart. For people taking antithyroid medication, NICE advises checking thyroid function every six weeks until TSH is within the reference range, then TSH every three months until the medication is stopped.
08 What happens if a thyroid condition is left untreated
An untreated thyroid condition can lead to complications, even when the symptoms feel manageable. For an overactive thyroid, the complications NIDDK lists range from heart rhythm problems that can lead to stroke or heart failure to thinning bones. For an underactive thyroid, NIDDK states that the condition can contribute to high cholesterol.
09 Thyroid disease in the UAE
Published local data on thyroid disease is limited. A Dubai primary care study published in BMC Public Health in 2025 found an underactive thyroid in 2.1% of 77,758 adults tested at Dubai Health primary healthcare centres, with women making up 81.5% of those patients. The study was not a population-based screening assessment, so the figure describes people referred for a thyroid test.
10 Which doctor should I see for a thyroid problem in the UAE?
An endocrinologist is the specialist most patients see for a thyroid condition, because endocrinology covers the hormone system, including the thyroid gland. General practitioners with training in endocrine and metabolic health also manage thyroid conditions. A thyroid operation is performed by a head and neck surgeon or an endocrine surgeon. All three routes are valid. What matters more than the title is how many thyroid patients the doctor treats and how closely they follow you.
11 Thyroid disease and body weight
An underactive thyroid can slow the metabolic rate and lead to some weight gain. The British Thyroid Foundation states that 5 to 10 pounds, around 2 to 4.5 kg, may be attributable to the thyroid, depending on how severe the condition is. It also states that most of this extra weight is salt and water. The American Thyroid Association states that once thyroid levels are in the normal range, the ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in people without a thyroid problem, although individual responses vary. Your endocrinologist can explain how thyroid disorders affect body weight in your own case.
12 What your thyroid care at Endocare involves
Specialist thyroid care at Endocare begins with a full medical assessment. Your endocrinologist will review your symptoms, your medical history and your thyroid blood tests, examine your neck, and explain what your results mean. Where possible, your first appointment takes place in person at Endocare’s Dubai clinic, as the physical examination and body composition analysis cannot be completed remotely.
Thyroid hormone helps regulate how the body uses energy, so a change in thyroid function can affect body composition as well as weight. At Endocare, body composition analysis is included free of charge at every consultation. Body composition analysis estimates body fat, muscle mass and body water. Repeated measurements help your endocrinologist understand how your body is changing beyond the number on the scale.
Follow-up appointments can be held in person at the clinic or online. Your endocrinologist will set how often you are seen, based on your results. Dr Hecham Harb, Medical Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, includes the management of thyroid and parathyroid disease among his areas of expertise. Your endocrinologist will arrange the blood tests your assessment calls for.
13 FAQ
Can a thyroid condition be cured?
It depends on the condition. An underactive thyroid is generally controlled with daily hormone replacement, and treatment often continues long term. Some patients with an overactive thyroid reach lasting remission after a course of antithyroid medication. After radioactive iodine or complete removal of the gland, lifelong hormone replacement is typically needed.
Will treating my thyroid make me lose weight?
Treating an underactive thyroid can lead to some weight loss. The British Thyroid Foundation describes this weight loss as small, typically less than 10% of body weight. It also notes that it is fairly common to see no significant weight loss after successful treatment. Where weight remains a concern once your levels are stable, your endocrinologist will assess it separately.
Does thyroid disease affect pregnancy?
It can. NIDDK states that many women taking thyroid hormone medication need a higher dose during pregnancy. The reference range used to read TSH also changes in pregnancy. We recommend telling your endocrinologist if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, so that they can monitor your thyroid levels more closely.
Our Dubai clinic is located in Building 27, Block B, Unit 504 B, Dubai Healthcare City. Opening hours are Sunday 10:00-20:00, Monday 08:30-18:30, and Tuesday to Thursday 10:00-20:00. The clinic is closed on Fridays. Free parking is available in the building and on the surrounding streets. For patients using public transport, Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station on the Green Line is the nearest stop.
Bring your most recent blood tests and any previous scans to your appointment, because comparing results over time is part of the assessment.
To book a consultation, call our Dubai clinic on +971 4 285 3885.
Book Your Consultation
- Specialist consultation
- Personalized Coaching
- Body Composition Analysis