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Thyroid disorders explained

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Treating hyperthyroidism
If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease, your doctor will consider several factors to determine the best treatment for you. These factors include your age, your general health and the severity of the disorder.

  • Medication. The first type of treatment that your doctor will use is likely to be medication with an antithyroid drug. Antithyroid drugs are designed to interfere with the thyroid gland's uptake of iodine. Because iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, this treatment results in lowered levels of thyroid hormone. The commonest drug used in the UK for this condition is Carbimazole. Drugs may also be given to help with the symptoms of hyperthyroidism; for instance Propanolol helps to control palpitations and tremor.
  • Surgery. Removal of part of the thyroid gland (partial thyroidectomy) is considered when there is a large goitre, when drug therapy is unsuitable or when there is recurrence after medication. If a nodule is causing your hyperthyroidism, surgical removal of the nodule may well be your best option. If the entire gland is overactive, it will be removed and you will need to take synthetic thyroid hormone for the rest of your life.
  • Radioactive iodine therapy. This treatment is sometimes used, especially if the patient is over 40, the condition is difficult to control with drugs or there is recurrence after thyroidectomy. Over several weeks after the dose is given, the gland shrinks and therefore the blood levels of thyroid hormone drop. Patients report feeling better within three to six weeks and most are completely cured of hyperthyroidism within six months (for most it is three to four months). There are no side effects associated with radioactive iodine, except an occasional sore throat.

    • An important issue to consider regarding hyperthyroidism therapy is that many patients will become hypothyroid. Be aware of the symptoms of that disorder so you can get the proper treatment.

    When people with Graves' disease get better after thyroid treatment, they should consider their status as unstable. Remission may be permanent, but the thyroid should be checked once a year to be sure. Severe stress can aggravate a recurrence.

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