What to do for Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism:

Several treatments for hyperthyroidism exist. The best approach for you depends on your age, physical condition, the underlying cause of the hyperthyroidism.

Dr Vivek Arya, Endocrinologist

Treats Diabetes, Thyroid, Obesity

At Wockhardt Hospital, Rajkot

Call for Appointment: 02816694444‬

Best-in-Class.Treatment: Adrenal Insufficiency, Cushing's Disorder, Metabolic Bone disease

Hyperthyroid, Hypopituitarism, Hirsutism, PCOD, Osteoporosis, Obesity, Menopause

A medical or surgical treatment is adopted to treat the condition depending on the acceptability of the patient and gravity of his symptoms.

1)      Radioactive iodine. Taken by mouth, radioactive iodine is absorbed by your thyroid gland, where it causes the gland to shrink. Symptoms usually subside within several months. Excess radioactive iodine disappears from the body in weeks to months.

2)      Anti-thyroid drugs. These medications gradually reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism by preventing your thyroid gland from producing excess amounts of hormones. Symptoms usually begin to improve within several weeks to months, but treatment with anti-thyroid medications typically continues at least a year and often longer.

3)      Beta blockers. Although these drugs are usually used to treat high blood pressure and don't affect thyroid levels, they can ease symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as a tremor, rapid heart rate and palpitations. For that reason, your doctor may prescribe them to help you feel better until your thyroid levels are closer to normal.

4)      Surgery (thyroidectomy). If you're pregnant or you otherwise can't tolerate anti-thyroid drugs and don't want to or can't have radioactive iodine therapy, you may be a candidate for thyroid surgery, although this is an option in only a few cases. In a thyroidectomy, your doctor removes most of your thyroid gland. A lifelong treatment with levothyroxine to supply your body with normal amounts of thyroid hormone IS after removal. If your parathyroid glands also are removed, you'll need medication to keep your blood-calcium levels normal.

Hypothyroidism

Treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine, orally.

This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

The medication gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong,  but because the dosage you need may change, your need to check your TSH level every year.