How Is Hypothyroidism Usually Treated?
Hypothyroidism is the medical term for what is commonly referred to as a slow thyroid. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces thyroid hormones. These hormones contribute to a wide range of bodily systems that are essential to health and wellbeing.
Many people don’t even realize they have thyroid problems because the wide range of symptoms might seem like a natural part of growing older. The largest proportion of patients are over 45, and the largest number of sufferers are over 60.
Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, trouble losing weight, fatigue, poor memory, muscle spasm and more. If left untreated, it can lead to coma and even death. It is a progressive illness. The longer it continues, …show more content…
The most common brand is Synthroid. It is a pure synthetic form of T4 which is made in a laboratory to be an exact replacement for the T4 that a healthy thyroid gland normally secretes. It comes in multiple strengths, which means that an appropriate dosage can almost always be found for each patient.
The dosage should be re-evaluated and possibly adjusted monthly until the proper level is established. Regular blood tests will help fine-tune your treatment regimen. Once your thyroid is back in balance, you should be able to manage with just an annual visit to the endocrinologist unless severe symptoms return.
The goals of treatment are to help you feel as normal as possible and maintain a good quality of life, no matter what your age. Taking this medication will help lower the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis and should help you manage your weight better when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.
It may take time for the medicine to work, but you should usually note relief of your symptoms within two weeks of starting to take it, and feel more like your old self within a couple of months. However, if you are still feeling tired and pestered by the same symptoms that have been troubling you, check with your …show more content…
Calcium supplements can help.
Iodine supplements can sometimes help depending on the cause of the thyroid imbalance.
If you are a heart patient, more frequent blood testing is recommended, since too much can trigger chest pain and even a heart attack.
Testing over time should also give a hint as to the cause of the hypothyroidism. Over time, antibodies against the thyroid might appear - a sign of autoimmune thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Its medical name is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Once treatment for hypothyroidism has started, it will usually continue for the rest of your life. Therefore, it is essential to get diagnosed accurately and to follow up with tests and all doctor’s
Hypothyroidism is the medical term for what is commonly referred to as a slow thyroid. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces thyroid hormones. These hormones contribute to a wide range of bodily systems that are essential to health and wellbeing.
Many people don’t even realize they have thyroid problems because the wide range of symptoms might seem like a natural part of growing older. The largest proportion of patients are over 45, and the largest number of sufferers are over 60.
Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, trouble losing weight, fatigue, poor memory, muscle spasm and more. If left untreated, it can lead to coma and even death. It is a progressive illness. The longer it continues, …show more content…
The most common brand is Synthroid. It is a pure synthetic form of T4 which is made in a laboratory to be an exact replacement for the T4 that a healthy thyroid gland normally secretes. It comes in multiple strengths, which means that an appropriate dosage can almost always be found for each patient.
The dosage should be re-evaluated and possibly adjusted monthly until the proper level is established. Regular blood tests will help fine-tune your treatment regimen. Once your thyroid is back in balance, you should be able to manage with just an annual visit to the endocrinologist unless severe symptoms return.
The goals of treatment are to help you feel as normal as possible and maintain a good quality of life, no matter what your age. Taking this medication will help lower the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis and should help you manage your weight better when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.
It may take time for the medicine to work, but you should usually note relief of your symptoms within two weeks of starting to take it, and feel more like your old self within a couple of months. However, if you are still feeling tired and pestered by the same symptoms that have been troubling you, check with your …show more content…
Calcium supplements can help.
Iodine supplements can sometimes help depending on the cause of the thyroid imbalance.
If you are a heart patient, more frequent blood testing is recommended, since too much can trigger chest pain and even a heart attack.
Testing over time should also give a hint as to the cause of the hypothyroidism. Over time, antibodies against the thyroid might appear - a sign of autoimmune thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Its medical name is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Once treatment for hypothyroidism has started, it will usually continue for the rest of your life. Therefore, it is essential to get diagnosed accurately and to follow up with tests and all doctor’s