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Hyperthyroidism: Benefits & Risks of Treatment Options. What treatment is better?
Hyperthyroidism (also known an overactive thyroid or thyrotoxicosis) occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones - thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). This causes many of the body's functions to speed up. About 2 in 100 women, and 2 in 1000 men, develop hyperthyroidism at some stage of their life. Although terms "hyperthyroidism" and "thyrotoxicosis" are often used interchangeably, the thyrotoxicosis means a toxic condition that is caused by an excess of thyroid hormones from any cause. Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism Most symptoms of overactive thyroid are related to an increase in the metabolic rate:
Treatment of Overactive Thyroid Hyperthyroidism is treatable and usually not a life threatening condition. There are three main forms of the treatment for hyperthyroidism. Each of them have their own advantages and limitations and physicians prefer one to another due to reasons of simplicity, cost and availability and also on the severity of hyperthyroidism, existing illnesses and the age of patient. All treatments - antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine therapy, and thyroidectomy - are highly effective and associated with a low risk of side effects. Drug therapy includes the use of beta-blocking agents and antithyroid drugs. Treatment wih antithyroid drugs is the easiest way to treat hyperthyroidism and is an initial therapy for most people with overactive thyroid. The most commonly used medications include methimazole (Tapazole), propylthiouracil (PTU), and carbimazole. Antithyroid drugs interfere with the ability of the thyroid gland to synthesize its hormones. They gradually reduce the thyroid hormone levels over 2-8 weeks or longer, and are usually given in high doses until the thyroid gland functions normally (becomes euthyroid). The treatment with anti-thyroid medications usually continues at least a year and often longer. Methimazole is a more potent and longer-acting drug. Often, people prefer methimazole taken once or twice daily than propylthiouracil that should be used 3 or 4 times daily. Propylthiouracil often is the drug of choice in severe thyrotoxicosis because of the additional inhibition of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) conversion. The reduction in T3 may help to reduce the symptoms more quickly than does methimazole. Carbimazole, a medication used in Europe, is converted into methimazole in the body. The dose and duration of ATD is based on the age and severity of the hyperactivity and cause of hyperthyroidism. Indications and Benefits of ATD:
Disadvantages, Risks and Possible Side Effects:
Beta-blockers (e.g., Inderal, Tenormin, Lopressor) are used to immediately relieve the symptoms caused by excessive thyroid hormones. They usually make you feel better within hours. Beta-blockers help to reduce rapid heart rate, palpitations, sweating, nervousness, agitation, and anxiety. These drugs won't reduce the thyroid hormone levels in the blood. However, they greatly improve hyperthyroidism symptoms until thyroid hormones levels are reduced by other therapies. Indications and Benefits:
Disadvantages, Risks, and Possible Side Effects:
Radioactive iodine therapy is the most widely used permanent treatment of hyperthyroidism in the United States. The thyroid cells are the only cells in the body that are able to absorb iodine. No other tissue or organ in the body is able to absorb the radioactive iodine. Thyroid cells need iodine to make thyroid hormone, and they take up any form of iodine in the blood stream, whether it is radioactive or not. By giving radioactive iodine, cells in the thyroid are damaged or destroyed and are unable to produce further thyroid hormone. Radioiodine therapy involves taking a drink, or swallowing a capsule, which contains radioactive iodine. The dose of radioactivity to the rest of the body is very low and is not dangerous. There has been a misconception in the minds of general public and most of the physicians that radioiodine therapy is very harmful. However, since the dose administered is very small and no significant side effects are documented many feel that this cheapest and simplest and probably once for all treatment of hyperthyroidism is under utilized. Indications and Benefits:
Disadvantages, Risks and Possible Side Effects:
Thyroid gland surgery is the least used treatment for hyperthyroidism. In a situation where radioiodine is not available and the patient is not responding to ATD, patients are subjected to a surgery. Surgery (thyroidectomy) involves removing part of the thyroid gland. It may be a good option if you have a large goitre (thyroid swelling) which is causing problems in the neck. If too much of the thyroid is removed it is not usually a problem as you can take thyroxine tablets to keep the thyroxine level normal. It is usually a safe operation, although as with all operations there is a small risk. This mode of treatment requires 5-10 days of hospitalization. Indications and Benefits:
Disadvantages, Risks and Possible Side Effects:
Natural Herbal Remedies For Overactive Thyroid ThyroSoothe is a natural herbal remedy for thyroid. It is formulated for overactive thyroid. This remedy naturally decreases levels of T4 and TSH and inhibits the binding of antibodies to the thyroid. Thyroid Assist is a natural remedy for thyroid treatment, effectively helping to heal hypothyroidism and hypothyroid symptoms. It can help to restore deficient iodine levels, while also stimulating the thyroid to produce crucial thyroid hormones, thereby treating hypothyroidism. Last updated: February, 2010 |
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