TL;DR
Dr. Jedidiah Oldham, DO diagnoses and manages thyroid disorders at 972 N 600 E in Spanish Fork, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid nodules, and thyroid management during pregnancy. Dr. Oldham orders and interprets thyroid labs, titrates levothyroxine, monitors nodules, and refers to endocrinology when specialized care is needed. Call (385) 265-6060 to schedule.
What Thyroid Disorders Does Dr. Oldham Manage?
Dr. Oldham diagnoses and manages the full range of thyroid disorders encountered in family medicine, including hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism), Graves’ disease, subclinical thyroid dysfunction, thyroid nodules, and thyroid disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. The American Thyroid Association estimates that more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, and up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Dr. Oldham screens for thyroid dysfunction when patients present with fatigue, unexplained weight changes, hair loss, cold or heat intolerance, mood changes, or menstrual irregularities.
Most thyroid conditions are managed long-term in the Spanish Fork office, because hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis respond to a single daily medication (levothyroxine) that Dr. Oldham titrates based on lab monitoring. His role as the patient’s primary care physician means he connects thyroid symptoms to the broader clinical picture: fatigue in a hypothyroid patient might reflect an undertreated thyroid, but it could also signal depression, iron deficiency, or sleep apnea. That differential thinking prevents misattributing every symptom to the thyroid.
How Does Dr. Oldham Diagnose Thyroid Disorders?
Dr. Oldham diagnoses thyroid disorders through a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory testing. The initial workup includes a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level, which is the most sensitive screening test for thyroid dysfunction. If TSH is abnormal, Dr. Oldham orders free T4 and free T3 to determine whether the dysfunction is overt or subclinical. For suspected autoimmune thyroid disease, he adds thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) and thyroglobulin antibodies. Dr. Oldham performs a physical exam of the thyroid gland, palpating for enlargement, nodules, and tenderness, and orders a thyroid ultrasound when he detects a nodule or asymmetry on exam.
Dr. Oldham follows the AAFP clinical guidelines for thyroid testing, which recommend against routine screening in asymptomatic adults but support targeted testing when symptoms or risk factors are present. Risk factors include family history of thyroid disease, prior radiation to the head or neck, type 1 diabetes or other autoimmune conditions, and pregnancy. Dr. Oldham interprets lab results in the context of the patient’s symptoms, age, and clinical picture rather than treating a number in isolation, because a TSH of 5.5 in an asymptomatic 25-year-old warrants a different response than the same TSH in a fatigued 55-year-old with dry skin and constipation.
How Does Dr. Oldham Treat Hypothyroidism?
Dr. Oldham treats hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, the synthetic T4 hormone that is the standard of care recommended by the American Thyroid Association. He starts at a dose based on the patient’s weight and the degree of TSH elevation, rechecks TSH in six to eight weeks, and adjusts the dose in small increments until TSH falls within the target range (typically 0.5 to 2.5 mIU/L for most adults). Dr. Oldham counsels patients to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before eating, and to avoid taking it with calcium, iron, or coffee, which interfere with absorption.
Hypothyroid patients receive TSH checks every six to eight weeks during dose adjustments and every six to twelve months once stable. He adjusts the dose when life changes affect thyroid requirements, including pregnancy (which increases the levothyroxine dose by 25 to 50 percent), significant weight change, or the addition of a medication that interferes with absorption. Dr. Oldham discusses the role of T3 supplementation with patients who ask, explaining that current evidence does not support routine combination T4/T3 therapy for most patients, while acknowledging that a small subset may benefit and that he is willing to consider a trial with appropriate monitoring.
How Does Dr. Oldham Manage Thyroid Nodules?
Dr. Oldham evaluates thyroid nodules with a thyroid ultrasound to determine size, characteristics (solid vs. cystic, calcifications, irregular margins), and TI-RADS classification, which guides the decision about whether a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is needed. The American Thyroid Association recommends FNA for nodules that meet specific size and ultrasound criteria: generally solid nodules above 1 cm with suspicious features. Dr. Oldham orders the ultrasound, reviews the radiologist’s TI-RADS report with the patient, and refers to endocrinology or a thyroid surgeon for FNA when indicated.
Nodules that do not meet biopsy criteria are monitored with follow-up ultrasounds at 12 to 24 months, depending on the initial characteristics. He reassures patients that the majority of thyroid nodules are benign, while also explaining the rationale for monitoring: a nodule that grows significantly or develops new suspicious features may warrant biopsy at a future visit. That monitoring happens inside the same primary care relationship, so the patient does not need to see an endocrinologist for routine nodule surveillance unless the clinical picture changes.
How Does Dr. Oldham Manage Thyroid Disorders During Pregnancy?
Dr. Oldham monitors thyroid function closely during pregnancy because both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism carry risks for the mother and baby. Untreated hypothyroidism increases the risk of miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and impaired fetal neurodevelopment. Dr. Oldham checks TSH at the first prenatal visit in patients with known thyroid disease or risk factors and increases the levothyroxine dose immediately upon pregnancy confirmation, because thyroid hormone demand rises by 25 to 50 percent in the first trimester. He rechecks TSH every four weeks during the first half of pregnancy and every six to eight weeks in the second half, adjusting the dose to keep TSH below 2.5 mIU/L per trimester-specific targets.
Screening for postpartum thyroiditis is routine, which affects up to 10 percent of women in the year after delivery and can mimic postpartum depression with symptoms of fatigue, mood changes, and weight fluctuation. He checks TSH at the six-week postpartum visit when the patient has a history of thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, or positive TPO antibodies. Detecting postpartum thyroiditis early allows Dr. Oldham to start treatment before symptoms worsen and to distinguish thyroiditis from postpartum depression, which requires a different treatment approach.
When Does Dr. Oldham Refer to Endocrinology for Thyroid Care?
Dr. Oldham refers to endocrinology for thyroid conditions that require specialized management, including Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism requiring antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery), thyroid cancer (confirmed or suspected on FNA biopsy), complex nodule management, thyroid eye disease, and hypothyroidism that remains symptomatic despite optimal TSH levels. He maintains co-management with the endocrinologist, meaning the patient continues to see Dr. Oldham for all other medical needs while the specialist focuses on the thyroid-specific concern.
The majority of thyroid patients in Spanish Fork do not need an endocrinologist for ongoing management. Straightforward hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and subclinical thyroid dysfunction are managed effectively in primary care with periodic lab monitoring and dose adjustments. Reserving endocrinology referrals for complex cases ensures that specialist appointments are available for the patients who need them most, while Dr. Oldham provides timely, accessible thyroid care for the rest.
Does Insurance Cover Thyroid Care With Dr. Oldham?
Dr. Oldham bills thyroid evaluations and follow-up visits under standard E&M codes, and most of the 30+ insurance plans accepted at the Spanish Fork office cover these visits with a standard copay. Thyroid lab tests (TSH, free T4, T3, antibodies) are covered as diagnostic tests by most plans. Thyroid ultrasound is covered when ordered with a clinical indication (palpable nodule, abnormal labs). Levothyroxine is one of the least expensive chronic medications, with generic formulations costing $4 to $15 per month at most Utah pharmacies. The front desk verifies coverage for labs and imaging before they are ordered.
Some plans require prior authorization for brand-name thyroid medications (Synthroid, Tirosint) or for thyroid ultrasound. The office handles prior authorization paperwork when needed. Families without insurance can ask about self-pay rates for thyroid evaluations and lab work.
How Do I Schedule a Thyroid Evaluation With Dr. Oldham?
Schedule a thyroid evaluation
New and existing patients can book by phone or online. Mention thyroid concerns when scheduling so the front desk can order labs in advance and reserve the appropriate appointment length.
Call (385) 265-6060 Book online
972 N 600 E, Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Frequently Asked Questions About Thyroid Disorders
How often does Dr. Oldham check thyroid levels?
Dr. Oldham checks TSH every six to eight weeks during dose adjustments and every six to twelve months once the dose is stable. Pregnancy requires more frequent monitoring (every four to six weeks).
Can Dr. Oldham treat my thyroid without referring to an endocrinologist?
Yes. Dr. Oldham manages most thyroid conditions in the office, including hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, subclinical dysfunction, and nodule monitoring. He refers to endocrinology for complex cases like Graves’ disease or thyroid cancer.
Should I take my thyroid medication before my blood draw?
Dr. Oldham recommends completing your lab draw before taking your morning levothyroxine, because taking the medication before the test can temporarily elevate T4 levels and affect the accuracy of results.
Can thyroid problems cause weight gain?
Hypothyroidism can contribute to modest weight gain (typically 5 to 10 pounds), but significant weight gain usually has additional contributing factors. Dr. Oldham evaluates weight changes in the context of the full medical picture.
Does Dr. Oldham prescribe natural thyroid medications like Armour?
Dr. Oldham prescribes levothyroxine as first-line treatment per ATA guidelines. He discusses desiccated thyroid (Armour, NP Thyroid) with patients who request it and considers a trial with appropriate lab monitoring when clinically appropriate.
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational and does not replace an in-person evaluation. Individual diagnosis and treatment decisions should be made between a patient and their physician.
Content accuracy: Clinical guidance is based on current recommendations from the American Thyroid Association, AAFP, and ACOG. Last reviewed April 2026.