Treatment For Thyroid
A Quick Guide to Treatment for Thyroid
Determining the proper course of treatment for thyroid abnormalities of course depends upon the nature of the problem. Thyroid disorders can range from conditions of inadequate production of certain vital hormones (Hypothyroidism), to conditions of excessive hormone production (hyperthyroidism). Other disorders include swelling, enlargement (goiter), or inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis). Cancer is also one of the thyroid disorders encountered, though fortunately, rather seldom. Each of these conditions calls for its own type of treatment, which may be medicinal, surgical, or therapeutic (radiation therapy or chemotherapy). Quite often a course of treatment consists of a combination of these methods.
The most common thyroid disorder is the underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland produces hormones (T3 and T4), which in turn create protein and regulate cellular activity throughout the body. A lack of iodine intake is often the major cause of hypothyroidism. Treatment for thyroid conditions where insufficient amounts of T3 and T4 are being produced is usually medicinal. This involves intake of synthetic hormones to supplement those being produced in the thyroid gland. The replacement hormone is synthetic T4. It is not necessary to provide T3 as T3 is produced in the body from T4. T3 has a very short life span and would be difficult to provide in synthetic form. While treatment with synthetic hormones is safe, care must be taken so that neither too much nor too little of the hormone is taken, which could create an imbalance. Your doctor will normally closely monitor intake to ensure the proper dosage of synthetic hormones is being prescribed
The hyperactive thyroid disorder is also usually treated medicinally. In this case an excess of T3 and T4 hormones are being produced, bringing on their own set of symptoms and problems. Antithyroid drugs, designed to inhibit hormone production will generally be prescribed. Beta blockers are often employed to attack the symptoms of a hyperactive thyroid condition. An inexpensive medicine such as levothyroxine sodium is often prescribed to stabilize hormone production. In some instances, radioactive iodine-131 treatments will be required. In rare and extreme cases surgery may be called for.
Treatment for thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis) and swelling often requires internal radiation procedures employing radioactive iodine. This treatment is supplemented by thyroid hormone prescriptions to assist in getting the thyroid gland back in its normal functioning state. Autoimmune thyroiditis as an exception to this, usually not requiring treatment unless hypothyroidism occurs, in which case hormone replacement will be necessary.
Treatment for cancer of the thyroid gland most often involves surgery followed by radiation therapy. In some cases chemotherapy sessions may be put into play. Again, synthetic hormones will likely be prescribed, quite possibly for the rest of a patient's life, especially if removal of the thyroid gland has become necessary.
Fortunately, treatment for thyroid disorders rarely calls for the more extreme measures of radiation treatment and surgery. The majority of the more common thyroid conditions can be treated medicinally. Only a very small percentage of thyroid disorders involve inflammation or the presence of malignant cells.