Conventional Treatment for Thyroid Disease

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland inside the front of the neck that helps to set the metabolism, which controls how the body gets energy from food. There are various types of thyroid disease, affecting millions of people. The treatment for thyroid disease depends upon the diagnoses by a doctor.

According to the National Institute of Health, millions of people in the United States have some form of thyroid disease, which is more common in women. The thyroid may be under active(hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthryoidism). Conditions of the thyroid include chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease), goiter and Graves disease.

There are many causes of thyroid disease. The treatments for thyroid disease depends upon the type of thyroid disease you have. The goal of treatment is to reset the body's metabolism to a normal rate.

The thyroid produces the hormones that regulate how the body breaks down food and uses energy, controlling the metabolism. Thyroid hormones influence the entire human system and every organ in the body.

Thyroid conditions may be diagnosed with a blood test, ordered by a doctor. A family physician can treat thyroid disease may refer you to a specialist in the field, called an endocrinologist.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid is under active the body slows down. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, mental depression, sluggishness, cold feeling, weight gain, dry skin and hair, constipation and menstrual irregularities.

Hypothyroidism is treated with a thyroid hormone, usually in the form of a oral table. A physician can check the hormone level with a blood test and make periodic adjustments as necessary. A person diagnosed with hypothyroidism will need to be monitored by a doctor for the rest of their life.

Hyperthyroidism

The most common type of hyperthyroidism is Graves disease Symptoms of an over active thyroid (hyperthyroidism) include muscle weakness, trembling hands, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea, irritability, anxiety, vision problems, menstrual irregularity, intolerance to heat, sweating and infertility. Hyperthyroidism that is untreated can lead to congestive heart failure or osteoporosis.

Antithyroid drugs are used to decrease the amount of hormone is produced by the thyroid.The drugs may have to be taken for one or two yeas. Treatment for this condition may be long term or short term and needs to be diagnosed and treated by a physician.

Surgery

Surgery to remove the thyroid gland called thyroidectomy, may be a solution but is not the preferred option. A physician may recommend surgery with the thyroid is swollen, because I can make breathing difficult. Because the thyroid is located adjacent the voice box (larynx) and the parathyroid glands, it is a delicate surgery that required a highly skilled surgeon. Thyroid surgery may also be the treatment for cancer of the thyroid.

Thyroid conditions need to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor, who can monitor the blood levels of the hormone and made adjustments as necessary. Once the condition is under control the follow up care by a physician may consist of an annual blood test to make sure that the hormone is at a normal level with medication.

Information in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical condition, please consult a doctor.

Resources:

National Institute of Health NIH

Personal experience

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