Will an Under Active Thyroid Ever Heal?
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland in under-active. The gland itself becomes inflamed, hence damaging its cells and disrupting the production of hormones. It can also result from an improper treatment of hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid is over-active. According to Nih.gov, there is no cure that will treat an under-active thyroid for life. However, there are ways to help heal the symptoms of hypothyroidism, which includes prescription drugs, a proper diet, thyromine, bladderwrack, and surgery.
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Prescription Drugs
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The most common way that hypothyroidism is treated is by prescription medication. Levothyroxine is the most common type of medicine that is prescribed to treat an under-active thyroid. Prescription drugs work to get the thyroid's hormones back to normal levels. In some cases, such medicine can also produce side effects, such as palpitations and anxiety.
Diet
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A diet that contains antioxidants, iodine, and protein can help the thyroid produce hormones that keep the body functioning properly. There are certain foods that can make the thyroid produce too many hormones, and should be avoided, or limited. Milk, peanuts, soy, and broccoli are examples. A high consumption of soy products may affect thyroid function and can also interfere with prescribed medicines. Soy can disrupt iodine intake.
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Thyromine
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Thyromine is an alternative form of thyroid treatment. It comes in the form of a pill, and is sold at many health food stores. Thyromine contains bovine powder, and nori, a type of seaweed that helps the thyroid to produce thyroxine (T3) hormones. Although thyromine helps an under-active thyroid to produce hormones short-term, it will not heal the thyroid completely.
Bladderwrack
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Bladderwrack is a type of seaweed that contains high levels of iodine. It is marketed as an herb. The most popular form is in tincture, which is an alcohol extract. A 600 mg of bladderwrack tincture can be taken up to three times a day. An individual that is diagnosed with hypothyroidism should take bladderwrack under the supervision of a doctor only. Due to the high levels of iodine, over-consumption of bladderwrack can cause hyperthyroidism. Bladderwrack will not completely cure an under-active thyroid and should not be taken on a long-term basis.
Surgery
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In some cases, the thyroid gland will be surgically removed if the afore mentioned treatments do not help. Surgery in itself will not cure hypothyroidism. Instead, hormone replacements will need to be taken for the duration of one's life after surgery, since the thyroid will no longer be able to produce any on its own.
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