Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body’s metabolism significantly, causing sudden weight loss, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness or irritability.
Several treatments for hyperthyroidism exist. The best approach for you depends on your age, physical condition, the underlying cause of the hyperthyroidism, personal preference and the severity of your disorder:
Radioactive iodine
Taken by mouth, radioactive iodine is absorbed by your thyroid gland, where it causes the gland to shrink and symptoms to subside, usually within three to six months. Because this treatment causes thyroid activity to slow considerably, causing the thyroid gland to be underactive (hypothyroidism), you may eventually need to take medication every day to replace thyroxine.
Anti-thyroid medications
These medications gradually reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism by preventing your thyroid gland from producing excess amounts of hormones. They include propylthiouracil and methimazole (Tapazole). Symptoms usually begin to improve in six to 12 weeks, but treatment with anti-thyroid medications typically continues at least a year and often longer.
Beta blockers
These drugs won’t reduce your thyroid levels, but they can reduce a rapid heart rate and help prevent palpitations. They just prevent some of the symptoms.
Surgery
Occasionally, surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid may be recommended.
This may be the best option if:
- your thyroid gland is severely swollen (a largegoitre)
- you have severe eye problems resulting from an overactive thyroid
- you can’t have the other treatments mentioned above
- your symptoms come back after trying the treatments mentioned above
After Thyroidectomy, you’ll need lifelong treatment with medications to supply your body with normal amounts of thyroid hormone.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/basics/treatment/con-20020986
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Thyroid-over-active/Pages/Treatment.aspx
