Thyroid treatment available online today

If you have high levels of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), treatment options can include: 

• Antithyroid drugs (methimazole and propylthiouracil): These are medications that stop your thyroid from making hormones. 

• Radioactive iodine: This treatment damages the cells of your thyroid, preventing it from making high levels of thyroid hormones. 

• Beta blockers: These medications don’t change the number of hormones in your body, but they help control your symptoms. 

• Surgery: A more permanent form of treatment, your healthcare provider may surgically remove your thyroid (thyroidectomy). This will stop it from creating hormones. However, you will need to take thyroid replacement hormones for the rest of your life. 

*Please note that the initiation and management of treatment for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) usually requires the expertise of a specialist such as an endocrinologist. Our physicians can provide a referral to specialists, but we do not have any endocrinologists on staff now.  

Conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism include: 

• Graves’ disease: In this condition, the entire thyroid gland might be overactive and produce too much hormone. This problem is also called diffuse toxic goiter (enlarged thyroid gland). 

• Nodules: Hyperthyroidism can be caused by nodules that are overactive within the thyroid. A single nodule is called a toxic autonomously functioning thyroid nodule, while a gland with several nodules is called a toxic multinodular goiter. 

• Thyroiditis: This disorder can be either painful or not felt at all. In thyroiditis, the thyroid releases hormones that were stored there. This can last for a few weeks or months. 

• Excessive iodine: When you have too much iodine (the mineral that is used to make thyroid hormones) in your body, the thyroid makes more thyroid hormones than it needs. Excessive iodine can be found in some medications (amiodarone, a heart medication) and cough syrups. 

Hypothyroidism symptoms may include fatigue, constipation, dry skin, body weight gain, puffy face, hoarseness, muscle weakness. 

If you have low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), the main treatment option is thyroid replacement medication. This drug is a synthetic (man-made) way to add thyroid hormones back into your body. One drug that’s commonly used is called levothyroxine. By using medication, you can control thyroid disease and live a normal life. 

Conditions that can cause hypothyroidism include: 

• Thyroiditis: This thyroid condition is an inflammation (swelling) of the thyroid gland. After the initial phase of having a hyperactive thyroid, thyroiditis can lower the amount of hormones your thyroid produces and causes hypothyroidism. 

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A painless disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition where the body’s cells attack and damage the thyroid. This is an inherited condition. 

• Postpartum thyroiditis: This condition occurs in 5% to 9% of women after childbirth. It’s usually a temporary condition. 

• Iodine deficiency: Iodine is used by the thyroid to produce hormones. Iodine deficiency is an issue that affects several million people around the world. 

• A non-functioning thyroid gland: Sometimes, the thyroid gland doesn’t work correctly from birth. This affects about 1 in 4,000 newborns. If left untreated, the child could have both physical and mental issues in the future. All newborns are given a blood screening test in the hospital to check their thyroid function. 

Although thyroid cancer is not common, you may want to set up an online appointment if you notice these symptoms:

• Lump on your neck under the Adam’s apple

• Voice changes, particularly hoarseness

• Difficulty swallowing

• Pain in the neck and throat

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

There are several thyroid tests specifically for patients with thyroid cancer, or who are suspected to have thyroid cancer.

• Ultrasounds: These are used to inspect thyroid nodules.

• Thyroid needle biopsy: This is a dependable test for identifying cancerous nodules.

• Thyroglobulin test: After thyroid surgery, thyroglobulin blood tests are done to monitor whether or not cancer cells are still present or have returned.

• Thyroid scans: These can measure lumps and nodules in the thyroid.

If you are diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, there is no need to be alarmed. Thyroid treatments abound, and there is constantly new research offering hope to the many millions of sufferers in the world today. Take heart in the knowledge that there is much you can do to improve your situation. 

Sticking to a healthy diet, developing exercise habits, taking medication, trying out natural supplements or trying mind-body techniques can all help. Work with our board-certified online doctors and medical team to develop the best lifestyle and treatment plan for you. A good thyroid management health program will focus on: 

• Keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible by balancing foods with medication and physical activity 

• Taking medications, as prescribed 

• Maintaining blood cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels as close to the recommended range as possible 

• Monitoring and maintaining normal blood pressure 

• Following a sensible and balanced meal plan suited to your individual dietary needs and thyroid profile 

• Getting regular exercise 

• Monitoring weight gain and reduce obesity 

• Keeping regular appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your condition and undergo any laboratory tests ordered by your doctor 

Prescription thyroid hormone is taken once daily in your own home and stabilizes thyroid hormone levels in the bloodstream. When thyroid hormone is used to treat hypothyroidism, the goal to keep the TSH level in the normal range.

The best time to take thyroid hormone is typically first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to avoid food interaction, or even at night before sleep. However, the most important thing is to develop consistency and stay on schedule every day.

Do not stop your thyroid hormone for hypothyroidism without discussing this with your board certified physician, even if you are feeling fine.