Live Life Team
Treatment
The main aim of treatment is to return thyroid hormone levels to normal in your blood. Treatment can also be required for conditions like swelling of thyroid gland.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism
In case of Subclinical hyperthyroidism, no treatment will be required for this condition. The reduced level in TSH will eventually come to normal in couple of months. There is possibility for subclinical hyperthyroidism to develop into overt hyperthyroidism. After about 1-2 months a thyroid function test can be required to monitor your condition. Even after 1-2 months normal levels of TSH are maintained without raising the levels in thyroid hormones. Further testing will be required once in 3-6 months or more regular in case you are an aged person, or having underlying vascular disease. Further assessments will be suggested by the doctor to determine the cause of subclinical hyperthyroidism
Overt hyperthyroidism
Overt hyperthyroidism is diagnosed if the TSH levels are low and high levels of thyroid hormone. Specialist treatment is recommended if overt hyperthyroidism is diagnosed. Specialist treatment is recommended for the following reasons:
Graves’ opthalmopathy – eye problems causing prominent eyes, double vision, and discomfort.
have recently given birth, you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, and you are newly diagnosed or have existing condition of hyperthyroidism,
hyperthyroidism caused by secondary substance like amiodarone
having underlying condition like coronary heart disease.
Emergency treatment is required if any symptoms of thyroid storm occur, which occurs seldom.
Treatment options
Once a specialist treatment is recommended, depending on the symptoms, the best treatment methods are decided.
Thionamides (carbimazole and propylthiouracil)
Thionamides are medication which stops thyroid gland to produce excess amount of triiodothyronine or thyroxine. This need to be taken at least 8-4 weeks prior to the thyroid gland gets under control. The medication amount required to decrease the production of the thyroid hormones differs from one person to another. Once production is under control, your dosage also reduces gradually.
In few cases, side effects are also experienced by taking thionamides, even though they are mild. Few side effects include:
itchy skin
nausea
pain in your joints
mild skin rash
Very seldom thionamides also causes serious condition like agranulocytosis. It occurs within first three month
Urgent medical attention is required if you are consuming a thionamide, and you also develop:
signs of infection
mouth ulcers
sore throat
fever,
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers like atenolol or propranolol, helps to relieve few symptoms in hyperthyroidism, which includes hyperactivity, rapid heart beat and tremor. While undergoing diagnostic assessment beta-blocker to relieve you from symptoms or until thyroid gland isn’t brought in control with thionamide treatment. Beta-blockers are not recommended if you are asthmatic.
Side effects can also be caused by beta-blockers which includes:
Trouble sleeping with or without nightmares.
cold feet and hands
fatigue
nausea,
Radioiodine treatment
Radiotherapy treatment is given to hyperthyroidism. It targets tissue in the gland and decreases the quantity of hormone its producing. This is radioiodine treatment. This treatment is given through a capsule or drink of radioiodine. The dose is very mild.
This is not recommended if you have eye problems like prominent eyes, double vision and discomfort, breast feeding or pregnant. You should not conceive for at least 6 months after radioiodine treatment. this is also applicable to men too.
Surgery
Surgeries are performed to remove all the part or a part of the gland. This is permanent solution in case if recurrent hyperthyroidism, this is known as thyroidectomy. Surgeries are suggested if the thyroid gland is swollen severely and causing problem in the neck. Thyroidectomy can also be recommended if :
having toxic thyroid nodule, or a toxic multinodular goitre, or
having cancer in the thyroid.
The aim of the surgery is removal of some part of thyroid gland to return normal production of thyroxine.
Complications
Hyperthyroidism causes numerous complications. Few are mentioned below and are likely to develop if left untreated.
Graves’ opthalmopathy
Graves disease is a common condition of hyperthyroidism. This condition attacks thyroid glands resulting in excess production of thyroid hormone. You can experience problems with eye called as graves opthalmopathy. People with graves opthalmopathy often experience problems in vision and discomfort in eyes. Your eyes often stand out and can appear prominent. In mild cases eye drops can be used or sunglasses can prevent dust entering the eyes or while sleeping eye protectors are be used. In case this condition aggravates specialist treatment will be required.
Thyroid storm
Hyperthyroidism if undiagnosed, or uncontrolled, can cause a serious reaction, called a thyroid storm. It is caused by an infection, trauma, or injury. The symptoms include delusion, severe agitation, fever and rapid heart rate.
Pregnancy and hyperthyroidism
Pregnant women with hyperthyroidism are exposed to many risk factors like risk of eclampsia and miscarriage, premature labor, low weight of the baby. Specialist treatment will be required. Conditions needs to be managed by proper usage of medications that shall not affect the baby.
