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Thyroid hormones affect every cell and all the organs of the body. Too much thyroid hormone speeds things up, and too little thyroid hormone slows things down. They: Control the rate at which your body burns calories (your metabolism). This affects...
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Thyroid hormones help regulate the way the body uses energy. You need thyroid hormone replacement when you do not have enough thyroid hormones in your blood (hypothyroidism). Depending on the cause of your hypothyroidism, you may need to take...
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A breast biopsy removes a sample of breast tissue that is looked at under a microscope to check for breast cancer or other problems. A breast biopsy is usually done to check a breast lump or to look at a suspicious area found on a mammogram, an ultrasound, or an...
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What is bradycardia? Having bradycardia (say "bray-dee-KAR-dee-uh") means that your heart beats slower than normal. For most adults, a heart rate of about 60 to 100 beats a minute while at rest is considered normal. For some people, bradycardia is healthy and normal. It does not cause any symptoms or...
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A tilt table test is used to check people who have fainted or who often feel lightheaded. The results help your doctor know the cause of your fainting or feeling lightheaded. The test uses a special table that slowly tilts you to an upright position. It checks how your body...
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Cardiac devices include pacemakers and ICDs (implantable cardioverter-defibrillators). Cardiac devices have very advanced features. Your doctor can program your device to work in different ways depending on your needs. Doctors check, or monitor, cardiac devices on a regular basis to make sure that they are working right...
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Abdominal fullness or bloating occurs when excess gas builds up in the digestive tract. Common causes of gas and abdominal fullness or bloating include: Swallowed air. If swallowed air is not burped up, it passes through the digestive tract and is released through the anus as gas (flatus). Excessive air...
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Gas, burping, and bloating are common after you swallow air, eat foods that cause gas, or drink carbonated beverages. This is normal and usually can be helped by making some simple changes. The amount of gas that different foods cause varies from person to person. Examples of gas-producing foods are:...
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Antioxidants are natural compounds that protect the body from damage caused by molecules called free radicals. Certain levels of free radicals in the body are normal. But things like pollution, smoking, and toxic heavy metals can cause harmful...