Hyperthyroidism is a condition that affects the thyroid gland and results in an overproduction of thyroid hormones. This can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, including weight loss, anxiety, and heart problems. If you are struggling with Hyperthyroidism, don’t worry – you are not alone! In this blog post, we will discuss the best advice you can hear about Hyperthyroidism in 2023. We will talk about the latest treatments and how to manage your condition effectively.
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where your overactive thyroid gland produces more hormones than what’s needed. These excess amounts can lead to all sorts of symptoms, including rapid heartbeat and difficulty sleeping as well as weight loss or gain due in part to increased metabolism caused by this extra production (which also causes anxiety). There are treatments available for every type – some may only need medication like beta blockers if they’re causing tremors while others will require stronger drugs such as Inderal which act on both nervous system systems but have been proven much faster at calming things down when necessary.
Beta-blockers are a type of drug that can help with hyperthyroidism because they block the effects thyroid hormones have but don’t actually affect your thyroid itself. This means these medications won’t cure you or make it go away, instead their purpose is just to prevent some symptoms during flare-ups when taken correctly according o prescribing information from doctor’s offices and hospitals around America!
Anti-thyroid Drugs
The first line of treatment for hyperthyroidism is typically an anti-thyroid drug. These drugs slow down the production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. There are two types of anti-thyroid drugs: propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (Tapazole).
What Are the Side Effects of Anti-Thyroid Drugs?
The most common side effect of PTU is nausea. Other potential side effects include:
- Rash
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain
Methimazole may cause:
- Skin rash
- Low blood counts
Radioactive Iodine Treatment
Radioactive iodine is the most popular permanent treatment for hyperthyroidism. It takes advantage of the fact that thyroid cells are uniquely able to absorb it, while other tissues lack this ability altogether-in fact these same hormones make sure they do everything possible so no one else can have what you’re having!
The iodine is taken in either pill or liquid form, and once it’s inside your thyroid gland it begins to emit radiation. This doesn’t harm the patient at all in fact you probably won’t even feel anything-but it does kill off most of the overactive cells in your thyroid. The dosage is very carefully calculated so that just enough tissue is destroyed to bring the gland back into its normal state, without causing any long-term damage or side effects. After the treatment, most people become hypothyroid and need to take daily hormone replacement pills for the rest of their lives, but this is a small price to pay for getting rid of an overactive thyroid.
Surgical Removal of the Gland or Nodule
The surgical removal of the thyroid gland is not as popular an option for hyperthyroidism treatment because it’s most commonly caused by overproduction from whole body (Graves’ Disease). However, these methods work quite well in almost all cases and there are other causes that call out for surgery such as early on during disease development – before symptoms even appear.
The two main types of surgery are called subtotal or total thyroidectomy. In a subtotal thyroidectomy, about 80-85% of the gland is removed while the rest is left in place to help preserve some function and avoid hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). A total thyroidectomy removes the entire gland and surrounding lymph nodes. This is generally recommended when there is cancer present or very large goiters that are difficult to remove any other way.
Recovery from either type of surgery takes about four to six weeks on average. During this time, you’ll be taking synthetic thyroxine (Levothyroxine) daily as well as calcium supplements to prevent bone loss. You’ll also need regular checkups with your doctor to make sure your dosage is correct and that you’re not having any problems.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. There are several different treatment options for hyperthyroidism, including anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine treatment, and surgical removal of the gland or nodule. If you think you may have hyperthyroidism, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment options can vary depending on the severity of your condition and other individual factors. If you have questions about any of the treatments for hyperthyroidism, please don’t hesitate to call us today!
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