Overview
Thyroid diseases, for the most part, are treatable with medications or other types of medical therapies. The primary intent of the treatment is to restore the normal thyroid hormone levels in the body. Also, the treatment options will depend on the type of thyroid disease you are diagnosed with.
How are Thyroid Diseases Treated?
The treatment for thyroid disease depends on:
- The type of disorder you are diagnosed with
- The severity of the disorder
- The age of the patient
The following are the most prevalent treatment options:
For Hyperthyroidism:
Anti-thyroid drugs – Common medications like methimazole and propylthiouracil are prescribed for hyperthyroidism patients to reduce the excess levels of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.
Radioactive iodine therapy – Since excess iodine triggers hyperthyroidism, radioactive iodine therapy damages the thyroid gland cells, preventing them from producing excess thyroid hormone.
Beta-blockers – Patients with hyperthyroidism experience tachycardia or a faster heart rate. Beta-blockers help manage those symptoms.
Surgery – If the damage is beyond the scope of medications, thyroidectomy or excision of the thyroid gland is the last resort.
For Hypothyroidism:
Thyroid medications – This includes prescribing synthetic thyroid hormone medications like levothyroxine to make up for the lack of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream.
