How to Treat High Thyroid

Microscopic image of the thyroid gland.

High thyroid is the layman's term for hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. An overactive thyroid produces too many hormones, which can lead to a toxicity known as thyrotoxicosis. Hyperthyroidism is often a symptom of Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease. Hyperthyroidism is serious, but there are many treatment options.

Instructions

1. Take drugs to improve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You can take medications if your heart is racing as a result of hyperthyroidism, or you are experiencing other physical side effects. Beta blockers are commonly prescribed for hyperthyroidism. They will increase your metabolism and lessen your symptoms.

2. Get a prescription to target your thyroid. Antithyroid drugs will lessen the production of thyroid hormones. The most common antithyroid drugs in the United States are methimazole and propylthiouracil.

3. Take radioactive iodine. This will kill the active cells in your thyroid. Wiping out these cells can potentially cure hyperthyroidism with a single dose. Avoid this treatment if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

4. Surgically remove some of the thyroid. Because the thyroid is overproducing thyroid hormone, removing some of the thyroid gland will lessen the production of hormones. This procedure was a more common treatment for hyperthyroidism in the past, but it is an option for pregnant women or patients with very large thyroid glands.

References

• Treatment of Hyperthyroidism
• Causes of Hyperthyroidism
• What is Hyperthyroidism