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Thyroid treatment available online today

Suffering from hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or other thyroid imbalances? Our board-certified primary care doctors conduct extensive testing to discover and understand the root of your thyroid condition and get you back to feeling like your best self.*

Ongoing care available with the same doctor, with or without insurance Manage chronic care conveniently from anywhere Personalized treatment plans, continuous monitoring, and medication management
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*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of thyroid disease. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Thyroid treatment services

Thyroid disorder is often a life-long medical condition that you will need to manage daily. This often involves medication. With access to PlushCare's thyroid treatment online, you can meet with a top board certified doctor via an online consultation, get diagnosed, and receive the treatment you need. Our doctors can refer you for lab testing, diagnose your condition, and prescribe the appropriate thyroid medication. It may take some time to find the right treatment plan for you and manage your hormone levels, but then people with these types of conditions can usually live life without many restrictions.

Thyroid disease can mean a number of different things, but the two most common types of thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism treatment

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

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. 

Thyroid cancer treatment

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.

Hormone blood tests

These are the most common thyroid diagnosis tests. In the doctor's office, the doctor will draw blood and analyze it for concentrations of TSH, T4, and T3 hormones. Measuring the concentrations of TSH in labs is considered the most reliable, and generally, TSH tests are done first. The results from this diagnostic testing give the doctor an idea of whether the thyroid is overactive or under-active. It can also help diagnose subclinical hypothyroidism, which is where your thyroid levels might be a tad bit abnormal but no symptoms of hypothyroidism is present. 

There is a particular type of test which measures T4 that is not connected to other molecules. This is called a Free-T4 test and can usually be a better estimate of thyroid activity compared to measurements of total-T4 testing. 

Thyroid antibody blood tests

Sometimes the thyroid is overactive or underactive due to a problem with the body’s immune system producing antibodies that attack the thyroid. The thyroid antibody test measures concentrations of such antibodies in the patient’s blood. Thyroid antibody tests are usually done to investigate if a patient has Hashimoto’s disease or Graves’ disease. These diagnoses might also be done if a patient has a goiter or some other autoimmune disease.

Radioactive iodine uptake

Doctors can estimate the overactivity or under-activity of a thyroid gland by giving a patient slightly radioactive iodine. The doctor can then measure the radioactivity and observe how much iodine is taken up by the thyroid.

Thyroid scans

Imaging of thyroids using radioactive iodine can help a doctor measure the size, shape, and position of the thyroid. This can help an endocrinologist diagnose the different thyroid disorders such as thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. It’s important to note that the thyroid scan is typically used in conjunction with a radioactive iodine uptake test to measure the thyroid’s function.

Managing your 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 

Thyroid treatment FAQs

What is a thyroid gland?

The thyroid gland is the gland that is located in the lower front of the neck. It is butterfly shaped and makes thyroid hormones, which helps help maintain proper bodily function.

How do I take thyroid hormone?

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.

How is the dose of thyroid hormone determined?

If you have low levels of thyroid hormones (a thyroid condition known as hypothyroidism), your doctor may prescribe thyroid replacement medication, such as synthetic thyroid hormones. When you are first started on thyroid hormone, the initial dose is carefully selected based on information such as your weight, age, medical history and general health conditions.

There are several brand names of thyroid hormone available. If your pharmacy or insurance plan changes your thyroid hormone to a different brand, it is important for you to inform your physician.

What medications interact with thyroid hormone?

Medications that may interact with thyroid hormone include estrogen, testosterone, heart medications and anti-seizure medications. Some supplements that can interfere with the hormone absorption include iron, calcium, soy and certain antacids.

What if I missed a dose?

If you miss a dose of thyroid hormone for your thyroid disorder, it’s ok but don’t forget to take your following doses as scheduled. The good news is that this medication stays in your system for over a week so missing one dose may not cause any noticeable changes. Contact your physician if you miss more than a few doses.

Can pregnant women take thyroid hormone?

Thyroid hormone is a hormone is naturally present in your body, therefore it is safe to take while pregnant, to manage normal thyroid function for the health of the baby. Talk to your physician if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant.

Are there natural forms of thyroid hormones available?

Dry and powdered thyroid extract obtained from pigs or cows, are currently available for purchase as a supplement, or by prescription as a medicine (Armour®, NatureThyroid®, NP Thyroid®).

3 simple steps to get thyroid treatment today

How It Works Step 1
Step 1

Book thyroid doctor visit today by booking an online appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
How It Works Step 2
Step 2

Talk to your doctor about thyroid symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
How It Works Step 3
Step 3

Pick up prescription for thyroid treatment.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Thyroid treatment pricing details

How pricing works

To request thyroid treatment and get a new or refill on a prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

 

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week
  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team
  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests
  • Free memberships for your family
  • Cancel anytime

Paying with insurance

Membership

$19.99

First month free

+

Visits

Copay

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

We accept these insurance plans and many more:


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Paying without insurance

Membership

$19.99

First month free

+

Visits

$129

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.

Sources:

PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.

 




PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.