Thyroid Treatment & Hypothyroidism Care in Mankato, MN

Our Thyroid Health Program is provided by Heidi Hermel, NP, who can prescribe thyroid medication when it's clinically appropriate. We review your health history, medications and labs before recommending anything, and we monitor you throughout treatment. Thyroid medication needs careful dosing: too much can cause a racing heart, anxiety, trouble sleeping or, over time, bone loss, so we recheck your labs and adjust as needed. Let us know right away if you notice new or worsening symptoms.

Many patients begin noticing better energy and mood within several weeks, with continued improvement over a few months. Thyroid labs are typically rechecked about 6–8 weeks after a medication change, and we fine-tune your plan from there. Hair and skin changes usually take longer because they grow in slowly.

Most patients start with a complete thyroid panel: TSH, free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies (TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies), which help identify Hashimoto's. We also check metabolic markers such as blood sugar, insulin and cholesterol, hormone levels, and nutrient labs including iron and ferritin, vitamin D and B12. Seeing these together helps explain symptoms that overlap with thyroid problems.

You may be a good fit if you have symptoms of an underactive thyroid, such as fatigue, weight gain, hair thinning, dry skin, feeling cold, constipation, brain fog or low mood; have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's; have a family history of thyroid disease; or noticed symptoms after pregnancy or during perimenopause. During your consultation, we'll review your history and labs to decide whether our program is right for you.

Pricing depends on your lab testing and treatment plan. Program pricing includes your consultation and lab review, your personalized plan, and follow-up appointments and monitoring during treatment. We offer flexible financing options, and you can use your HSA or FSA funds for payment. We'll give you transparent pricing during your consultation with no hidden fees or pressure.

Bring a list of your medications and supplements with doses, plus any recent lab results. If you take biotin (often found in hair, skin and nail supplements), let us know, because it can interfere with thyroid lab results and we may ask you to pause it before testing. Write down your main symptoms and when they started. We'll give you instructions for any lab work before your visit.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S., is a lifelong autoimmune condition, but it is very manageable. With the right medication dose when needed, good nutrition and regular monitoring, most people can feel well and keep symptoms under control. Some thyroid changes, such as those after pregnancy, can be temporary.

Yes. Ongoing symptoms while on thyroid medication can come from the dose, the timing, how the medication is taken (for example with coffee, calcium or iron), low nutrient levels, other hormone changes, or something unrelated to the thyroid. We review your labs, medications and history to find what's going on, and we can coordinate with the provider who prescribes your medication.

Some thyroid conditions are best managed by a thyroid specialist. We'll refer you or coordinate with an endocrinologist for an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease), a lump or swelling in your neck, thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer, thyroid disease during pregnancy, or results that don't fit a typical pattern. Seek urgent care for a very fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fainting or severe confusion.

The Skin Clinic offers thyroid care with Heidi Hermel, NP, including lab evaluation, personalized treatment plans and ongoing monitoring, at 1105 Range Street in North Mankato, MN. We serve patients from Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter, New Ulm and communities across Southern Minnesota. Call or text 507-550-2232 or book a consultation online.