Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This can occur for various reasons. Treatment may depend on various factors including the patient's health history, the severity of their condition, and the type of medical practitioner they seek for care.
Many practitioners rely on synthetic hormones to treat hypothyroid disease, but this may not always be the best course of action. It is important you educate yourself about hypothyroidism so you can make the best decision when it comes to caring for your body and treating your condition.
Let's learn a little more about standard care of hypothyroidism so you can make an informed decision along with the advice of your qualified healthcare professional.
Hypothyroid Disease Treatment Protocols
Treatment for an underactive thyroid will vary from patient to patient depending on the severity of their disease and their treatment provider. For many, treatment will involve use of daily thyroid replacement hormones, whether synthetic or natural. This will require regular or routine monitoring by a healthcare provider to monitor thyroid function and assess the correct dosage.
Typically treatment with a hormone results in a quick improvement. If someone has their thyroid gland removed or partially removed they will probably require treatment with a synthetic hormone for the rest of their life. Hypothyroid caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a more serious autoimmune condition, may also require a lifetime treatment protocol.
Some patients who have hypothyroid disease develop it as a result of a recent illness. In cases like this treatment may be needed for a short period of time. After the illness subsides, a patient may recover and no longer require treatment.
Sometimes pharmaceutical medicine causes a patient to develop hypothyroid disease. In cases like this treatment may simply involve discontinuation of the offending medication or a switch to a new medication. As long as the medication has not caused permanent damage to the thyroid gland, the odds are the patient will recover and can resume a normal lifestyle.
Sometimes a patient has sub-clinical hypothyroid. This is a mild case of hypothyroid disease. There are times when doctors or healthcare providers prefer to monitor cases like this instead of prescribing medication. Other times healthcare providers may recommend treating hypothyroidism immediately, depending on how severely the patient is affected.
You and your doctor, or healthcare provider should discuss your treatment options in cases like this, including the risks associated with treating hypothyroidism with synthetic or natural hormones, compared to a watch and wait approach. Patients taking hypothyroid hormones must watch for side effects which may include heart disease, chest pain or irregular heart rate.
Hormones available to treat patients include:
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid)
- Natural Hormones
Taking too little medicine may result in little effect or improvement and can result in a return of symptoms or recurring weight gain. Taking too much hormone may result in increasing side effects including the jitters or tremors, or insomnia. It is critical that as a patient you take notes of all side effects you experience while taking hormones so your doctor can adjust your dose of your medication accordingly.
Remember that diet and lifestyle are just as much a part of your treatment protocol as hormone or medication therapy. Talk with your healthcare provider about lifestyle changes as well as medication when you begin treating hypothyroid disease. That way you will manage your disease as wholly as possible to ensure the best possible odds for successful management of your disease.
Severe Hypothyroidism
In some cases hypothyroidism goes undiagnosed for excessive periods of time as many people avoid going to the doctor when they feel unwell. In cases of severe debilitation, some patients may need life saving treatment. Severe hypothyroidism when left untreated may place a patient at risk for what is known as a myxedema coma. This requires emergency medical care and treatment with intravenous thyroid hormone.
Symptoms may include a heart attack or trouble breathing, and hypothermia or severe problems maintaining one's body temperature. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms it is critical you seek emergency medical care as soon as possible.
Treatment of Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
Some women develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy. During this time treatment is essential to ensure the wellness of both mother and fetus. Thyroid levels of women during pregnancy will be carefully monitored in women that have hypothyroidism to ensure adequate treatment. Some women will require treatment before, during, and after pregnancy if they have hypothyroidism before pregnancy.
Others may develop hypothyroid disease during pregnancy and may begin treatment during pregnancy, and may or may not require hormone replacement therapy following delivery.
Remember, treating hypothyroidism is a life saving matter, so go to your healthcare provider immediately and take a simple blood test...it can be a matter of life or death!
Once you have the facts about your illness you can then make an informed decision regarding your course of action. If you do not wish to take pharmaceutical medication you can access the wide variety of natural therapies available to help balance your thyroid hormones, and can stay healthy with appropriate dietary and lifestyle decisions.
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