Thyroid Information & Discounts

How can I manage thyroid conditions?

Hypothyroid Treatment

The most common treatment for an underactive thyroid is the use of hypothyroid drugs containing a synthetic thyroid hormone. After one or two weeks of taking this hypothyroid medication, a more normal metabolism can be restored and the patient will feel less fatigued. Other lifestyle changes can also have a positive effect on hypothyroidism including staying away from sugar and refined carbohydrates, consuming more protein and health fats, consuming more probiotics (yogurt), taking vitamin D and omega-3 supplements, and consuming iodine naturally (in foods such as cranberries, eggs, seaweed, strawberries, lima beans, and others).

Hyperthyroid Treatment

Treatment for hyperthyroidism usually involves hyperthyroid drugs such as radioactive iodine, anti-thyroid drugs, calcimimetics, and vitamin D analogues. Radioactive iodine is taken orally over three to six months and is absorbed by the thyroid. It causes the thyroid gland to shrink and slow down. Surgery to remove the thyroid is another option for hyperthyroidism, but less common. Ask your doctor or nutritionist about a healthy diet for hyperthyroidism.

Hyperparathyroid Treatment

Sometimes hyperparathyroid treatment isn’t necessary if your calcium levels are only slightly abnormal and your bone density is normal. Your doctor may want to test you regularly to make sure levels don’t drastically change. If it is necessary to take action, surgery is the most common treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism. A doctor will remove most or parts of the thyroid gland. This cures 90% of patients and has few side effects. Thyroid medications to treat hyperparathyroidism include calcimimetics, and hormone replacement therapy to help bones retain calcium. Bisphosphonates may also be used to prevent calcium loss. Other changes that have positive effects are doing more exercise, drinking more fluids to prevent kidney stones from calcium, and avoiding diuretics.

What are the different types of thyroid medication?

Calcimimetics

Calcimimetics are mostly used to treat hyperparathyroidism. These drugs mimic the action of calcium in the blood, thereby tricking the parathyroid to release less of the hormone PTH.

Anti-thyroid drugs

Anti-thyroid drugs are used as a hyperthyroid medication and a treatment for Graves’ disease by stopping the synthesis of the T₃ and T₄ hormones. These thyroid medications may have an adverse effect if taken along with blood thinners, diabetes medications or certain vitamins.

Synthetic Hormones

Synthetic thyroid hormones are used as a thyroid disease treatment for hypothyroid, and they are also used for patients that have had their thyroids removed or shrunk. If the thyroid has been removed, the patient must take synthetic thyroid hormones for the rest of his/her life. Synthetic-hormone thyroid medications act in the place of the hormone thyroxine in the body to regulate metabolism.

What are the symptoms of a thyroid condition?

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: unexplained weight gain, thin, brittle fingernails and hair, constipation, puffy face, slowed heart rate, thickening skin, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, muscle aches and pains, impaired memory, not sweating, and heavy or irregular periods.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: sudden unexplained weight loss, shaking in hands or fingers, increased appetite, nervousness or anxiety, changes in menstrual patterns, rapid heart rate, sweating, enlarged thyroid gland, fatigue, bulging eyes, intolerance to heat, thinning skin and brittle hair.

Symptoms of hyperparathyroidism are sometimes obsolete and mostly non-specific. Getting routinely tested is the best option. Some symptoms of hypercalcaemia which can be an indication of hyperparathyroidism include: bone pain, depression, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, kidney stones, osteoporosis, cognitive impairment, muscle soreness, frequent urination and increased thirst.