How to Treat an Overactive Thyroid
Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is a condition caused by excess of production of the thyroxine hormone in the thyroid. Overactive thyroid can result from Graves' disease, testicular or ovarian tumors, thyroid inflammation, intake of large amounts of thyroid hormone, noncancerous growths on the pituitary or thyroid glands and excessive iodine intake. Its symptoms include profuse sweating, rapid weight loss, accelerated heartbeat and feelings of moodiness or nervousness. The appropriate treatment option depends on the causes and severity of a patient's symptoms.
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Things You'll Need
- Radioactive iodine
- Thyroxine medication
- Antithyroid medication
- Beta-blocker
- Thyroidectomy
- Medication for maintaining normal blood-calcium levels
Instructions
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Take radioactive iodine if instructed by your doctor. Taken orally, the iodine shrinks the thyroid once the gland absorbs the medication. In three to six months, your symptoms should no longer be present. Given that the thyroid's activity will decrease significantly, you may need to eventually begin taking thyroxine medication such as levothyroxine daily.
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Take antithyroid medications, such as propylthiouracil and methimazole, as prescribed by your doctor. Often prescribed for mild cases, such medications stop the thyroid from producing excess hormones. While your symptoms may begin to improve within six to 12 weeks, you may need to continue taking anti-thyroid medication for a year or longer. Some patients are able to permanently treat an overactive thyroid in this way, while others may suffer from a relapse. Your doctor may also prescribe a beta-blocker like propranodol, which helps patients control rapid heart rate, anxiety and sweating.
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Keep in mind that propylthiouracil and methimazole may result in liver damage and can cause death in extreme cases. Doctors typically prescribe propylthiouracil, which has been linked to more cases of liver damage, only to patients who cannot tolerate methimazole.
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Treat hyperthyroidism with surgery if you are unable to take anti-thyroid medications or do not wish to use radioactive iodine. Keep in mind that this option is used in few cases. Called a thyroidectomy, this procedure involves removing the majority of the thyroid gland. Patients who undergo this procedure are at risk for damage to their parathyroid glands, which help control calcium levels in the blood, and vocal cords. Following the surgery, patients must take levothyroxine. Those whose parathyroid glands were removed must also take medication that helps maintain normal blood-calcium levels.
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