Treatment and Prevention
Treating hypothyroidism requires replacing hormones with synthetic or natural thyroid hormones. The easiest and most effective thyroid hormone replacement involves a synthetic form of T4 that is taken orally (by mouth). The tablets are available in a variety of strengths, and doses are adjusted for each individual until the correct hormone levels in the blood are reached and there is a satisfactory control of symptoms.
So-called "natural" thyroid supplements, which usually contain ground-up thyroid glands from animals, are rarely used now. This is because they can cause allergic reactions and do not provide a consistent dose of T4.
Large doses of T4 can have serious side effects. Age- and bodyweight-appropriate doses are therefore given initially and slowly increased until levels of T4 and TSH in the blood are back to normal.
People with mild hypothyroidism might feel fine and not require treatment, while others will be bothered by symptoms and require treatment. Hypothyroidism tends to get worse over time and even mild cases should be regularly monitored. Individuals taking small amounts of thyroid hormones may need to have their doses increased with time. Beyond a certain age, seniors sometimes need lower doses of T4.
If a dysfunctional pituitary gland is the cause of hypothyroidism, it will need to be treated. The pituitary controls many other glands in the body as well, and several medications may be needed if other pituitary hormonal disorders are identified.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ahmad Al-Mubaslat, MD, FACE, Endocrinologist at the Medical Group of Kansas City, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.