In the recent times, there has been a drastic rise in the cases of people suffering from thyroid disorders. Improper functioning of thyroid gland results in increased or decreased synthesis of two hormones namely T3 and T4 or thyroid enlargement. Extreme fatigue, pain in joints, depression, intolerance to heat and sweating, feeling cold, etc makes you entirely dependent of drugs to get rid from thyroid complications. In case you are suffering from thyroid disorders and are currently on medications; knowing about the drugs, treatment options available and any complications associated is your right.
What are the available treatment options?
Current treatment options include both conventional as well as alternative clinical measures that aim at restoring the hormone levels to their normal level. The conventional medical treatments depend on medications and surgery to restore your hormone levels. While, alternative treatment approach involves diet supplements, herbal remedies, lifestyle changes and physical exercises to improve thyroid gland function or relieve discomfort associated with the problems.
Treatments for Hyperthyroidism
Treatment of hyperthyroidism involves suppression of thyroid hormone production that uses conventional medications. Depending on your age, health profile and clinical history, your doctor will decide the best treatment suitable for you.
The production of thyroid hormone can be suppressed or stopped with –
- Anti-thyroid drugs – Once you start taking anti-thyroid drugs, your symptoms should start disappearing in approximately 6 – 8 weeks time. Still, your medical professional will ask you to take the drugs for a year to check whether the drugs can be stopped or has to be continued. Also, periodic clinical examination is recommended after you stop taking medication to see whether the condition has been cured or has returned back.
- Radioactive iodide treatment – In this treatment you are given a tablet or liquid that contains radioactive iodine in large amounts to destroy the thyroid cells so as to limit or damage them from production of hormones. Generally one treatment is enough to restore the normal production of hormones but, rarely more than one treatment might also be recommended as per the results. Most of the patients develop hypothyroidism due to this treatment procedure.
- Surgery – This is the last and most common treatment procedure for patients with large goiter, pregnant women who are restricted from taking anti-thyroid drugs or people suffering from cancerous nodules.
Treatments for Hypothyroidism
Treating hypothyroidism usually involves hormone replacement process with aid of conventional drugs that offer effective supplementation of hormone. Your doctor will decide the best treatment suitable for you depending on your age, health profile and clinical history.
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is the only treatment option for hypothyroidism and depending upon the cause of the disease, lifelong treatment routine is also prescribed. There are no conventional medications or surgical methods available currently to increase the decreased hormone production by the gland. Synthetic thyroid hormones namely levothyroxine are usually prescribed by the doctor depending upon your disease severity.
Thyroid hormone medications mostly acts by –
- Eliminating or reducing the symptoms, which usually improves by the 1st week after the therapy is started. Full recovery from the symptoms is normally achieved within a few months time.
- Reducing the risk of behavioral troubles, slowed physical growth and mental disability in children and infants.
Treatments for Subacute Thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis usually does not call for medical treatment, even though it results in temporary hyperthyroidism. Acetominophen or aspririn are the common medications that are prescribed to relieve any pain associated with this condition of inflamed thyroid. In case these medicines prove futile, your doctor may go for short period treatment from prednisone or dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory drugs). Use of aspirin is strictly not recommended for children (under the age group of 19 years) as it may increase the chance of getting Reye Syndrome.
Treatments for Thyroid Cancer
The best way to treat thyroid cancer is surgery, where initially the cancerous tissue is removed and if the condition still persists, then surgical removal of whole thyroid gland is done (which is known as thyroidectomy). And, if the cancer has spread to surrounding areas or has affected any other tissues like lymph glands in neck; then removal of the affected part is usually carried out.
Alternative treatments for thyroid disorders
Conventional treatments are the first line medications used to treat thyroid complications as majority of them are easily corrected with these methods. But, alternative therapies such as naturopathy are considered by some, despite the fact there are no proven results showing their effectiveness in treating the disease. This treatment aims in cleansing the immune system, restoring any immune function and maintenance of hormone production and its release. It employs use of herbs, traditional Chinese medicine preparations and homeopathic mixtures to treat thyroid disorders. Do consult your doctor about using this treatment.
Side effects of thyroid drugs
Hyperthyroidism – Although, side effects of drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism are rare but some patients do experience chest pain or nervousness which can be corrected by adjusting the level of the drugs.
Hypothyroidism – Use of thyroid hormone medicine in correct dosage and under medical supervision is found to report no side effects.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
There are wide ranges of drugs that may interfere with your thyroid drugs by either blocking its action, reducing their effect or may result any health effects. Hence, always inform your doctor about your clinical history and the medications taken by you. Avoid taking the following drugs & foods with thyroid drugs (or do consult your doctor before taking them); as they may interfere with the drug absorption minimizing the targeted effect of the drug
Medicines to avoid –
- Calcium supplements
- Iron supplements
- Aluminum or calcium antacids
- Medicine for asthma
- Medicine for colds
- Medicine for allergies
- Anticoagulants
- diet pills
Foods to avoid -
- Cabbage
- Calcium-enriched foods (juices, cereals, etc.)
- Fenugreek
- Oats
- Lentil
- Milk and milk products (cheese, cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt)
- Soybean (tofu, soymilk, etc)
References
Understanding thyroid problems. Women’s health. WebMD
Thyroid need to know. (www.anapsid.org)
Hypothyroidism medications. WebMD
Thyroid. Medlineplus (www.nlm.nih.gov)
You may also like to read:
- Thyroid disease – 10 quick facts you should know
- How to tackle hypothyroidism during pregnancy
- Could you be suffering from thyroid problems during pregnancy?
- Thyroid – facts you need to know
- Women more prone to hypothyroidism, especially in India
- The future of thyroid surgery
- Tips to deal with hyperthyroidism during pregnancy
- Iodine deficiency puts one-third of the world’s population at risk
- World Thyroid Day 2012 – How Deepa survived thyroid cancer
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