Unfortunately, unless your doctor feels you're a good candidate for thyroid surgery, also known as a thyroidectomy, medication for hyperthyroidism is usually for life. Hyperthyroidism can sometimes go into remission-- in which case there is a possibility for you to stop taking the meds, but as long as you have an overactive thyroid, your doctor will keep you on medication.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on:
■Age
■Severity of symptoms
■Cause of hyperthyroidism
■Pregnancy status
Treatment options include:
Antithyroid Drugs
Antithyroid drugs work best for Graves' disease. Examples include:
■ Carbimazole— Smoking can interfere with how your body uses this medication. *¹If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit .
■Methimazole
■Propylthiouracil
If the disease goes into remission, you may no longer need medication.
Radioactive Iodine
This is a common treatment in the US. Radioactive iodine is taken orally. It is then absorbed by the thyroid gland. Once there, it damages most of the thyroid cells. These cells can no longer produce thyroid hormones. Within days, the excess iodine passes out of the body in the urine or changes into a nonradioactive state. You may need to take a daily thyroid supplement.
Surgery
Surgery is rarely used for hyperthyroidism. Exceptions include:
■Young children
■Pregnant women
■Individuals with a very large goiter that causes either swallowing or breathing problems
Most patients take antithyroid medication before surgery. After surgery, you may need to take a daily thyroid supplement.
Beta-blockers
You may need to take beta-blockers . These drugs relieve rapid heart rate and jitters. Examples include:
■Propranolol
■Atenolol
■Metoprolol
Eye Protection
If there are eye symptoms, your doctor may prescribe:
■Eye protection before sleep
■Artificial tears
■Sunglasses
If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, follow your doctor's instructions.
For more information on hyperthyroidism, please visit our page at: https://www.empowher.com/condition/hyperthyroidism
Comment Reply
Hi Anon,
Unfortunately, unless your doctor feels you're a good candidate for thyroid surgery, also known as a thyroidectomy, medication for hyperthyroidism is usually for life. Hyperthyroidism can sometimes go into remission-- in which case there is a possibility for you to stop taking the meds, but as long as you have an overactive thyroid, your doctor will keep you on medication.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on:
■Age
■Severity of symptoms
■Cause of hyperthyroidism
■Pregnancy status
Treatment options include:
Antithyroid Drugs
Antithyroid drugs work best for Graves' disease. Examples include:
■ Carbimazole— Smoking can interfere with how your body uses this medication. *¹If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit .
■Methimazole
■Propylthiouracil
If the disease goes into remission, you may no longer need medication.
Radioactive Iodine
This is a common treatment in the US. Radioactive iodine is taken orally. It is then absorbed by the thyroid gland. Once there, it damages most of the thyroid cells. These cells can no longer produce thyroid hormones. Within days, the excess iodine passes out of the body in the urine or changes into a nonradioactive state. You may need to take a daily thyroid supplement.
Surgery
Surgery is rarely used for hyperthyroidism. Exceptions include:
■Young children
■Pregnant women
■Individuals with a very large goiter that causes either swallowing or breathing problems
Most patients take antithyroid medication before surgery. After surgery, you may need to take a daily thyroid supplement.
Beta-blockers
You may need to take beta-blockers . These drugs relieve rapid heart rate and jitters. Examples include:
■Propranolol
■Atenolol
■Metoprolol
Eye Protection
If there are eye symptoms, your doctor may prescribe:
■Eye protection before sleep
■Artificial tears
■Sunglasses
If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, follow your doctor's instructions.
For more information on hyperthyroidism, please visit our page at: https://www.empowher.com/condition/hyperthyroidism
Best of Luck!
May 20, 2011 - 5:53amRosa
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