Anyone suspecting they may have a thyroid disorder will need to discuss it with their doctor the type of medicine that is offered to manage the condition. Nearly all thyroid disorders are easily controlled by medication.
If the thyroid complaint is an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) the patient will be prescribed thyroid hormone replacement treatment. This will probably be in tablet form. The patient would continue to be observed throughout the preliminary treatment stage and they should record any unpleasant side effects. The doctor will then be able to review the treatment and may change the prescription or adjust the measure until the patient begins to improve and the side effects abate.
If the thyroid problem is diagnosed as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) there are three potential treatments. The first alternative would be to try using antithyroid drugs to repress the body’s capacity to create the thyroid hormone. About ten percent of patients will experience side effects from the antithyroid drugs.
Side effects could comprise:
Passing fever.
Lightheadedness
Joint or muscle aches and pains
Stomach upset
Loss of hair
The side effects are not restricted to the above and the patient should keep a diary when commencing any therapy for a thyroid disorder so she can tell their GP who will adjust the prescription.
The second kind of treatment would be Radioactive Iodine Treatment. This is prescribed as a single dosage either as a beverage or a tablet. The iodine damages the thyroid cells and the thyroid becomes smaller. This will reverse the overactive thyroid effect. This therapy is more often than not undertaken at a specialist center and is only used if the antithyroid drugs are not effective in the patient. There will be an rigorous discussion before this takes place to make the patient aware of any risks to themselves and their family due to radiation exposure. The patient will be advised of the best means to protect their family and the general public. After the treatment, the individual is commonly notified to regulate contact with children and pregnant women for approximately 5 days.
The third option to care for the overactive thyroid disorder would be surgical treatment. The operation would remove part or all of the thyroid gland to check the over production of the thyroid hormone. The individual would then be required to take a hormone replacement medication to supply the necessary hormone.
