One week after beginning antithyroid medication for the treatment of hyperthyroidism
What are the thyroid hormones to be treated?An overactive thyroid means that too much thyroid hormone is produced. The same three hormone groups will be reviewed: Show
In addition, other tests may be conducted, such as a thyroid nodule ultrasound to learn if there are nodules in the thyroid which may be causing issues due to their size or other indications; if that is the case, a needle biopsy may be ordered. An iodine thyroid scan may be ordered to understand if the entire gland or a specific nodule is the root cause of the hyperthyroidism. Which hyperthyroid condition is considered autoimmune?Thyroid hormone excess may result from a variety of medical conditions. However, the autoimmune disease, Graves’ disease, accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Graves diseases affects up to 2 percent of women. It typically appears between the ages of 20 and 50, however the risk of developing Graves’ disease increases three-fold during the post-partum period. What are the treatment possibilities for my condition?Radiological Treatment Medical Treatment Surgical Treatment How will my doctor monitor my condition – how frequently at first, and over time?Most patients in the United States are managed with a combination of radioiodine treatment and medications. Autoimmune thyroid disease is an evolving condition and so, too, is treatment! Changing treatment reflects the nature of the disease, not a failure on the part of your doctor, so be prepared. Your doctor will follow your response to treatment by regularly monitoring your thyroid hormone levels. She may order blood tests every few months initially, to every year or so in a patient who has been stable for many years. Questions for your doctor
About the Author This blog post was originally published by AutoimmuneMom.com, written by Heather Breen, and first published on Apr 2, 2012. This post contains the opinions of the author. Autoimmune Association is not a medical practice and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is your responsibility to seek diagnosis, treatment, and advice from qualified providers based on your condition and particular circumstances. Autoimmune Association does not endorse nor recommend any products, practices, treatment methods, tests, physicians, service providers, procedures, clinical trials, opinions or information available on this website. Your use of the website is subject to our Privacy Policy. How long does it take for antithyroid medication to work?Antithyroid medications usually alleviate your hyperthyroid symptoms in six to 12 weeks. While there is no standard for how long you will take the medication, you will most likely continue with it for 12 to 18 months.
What happens after treating hyperthyroidism?Once you begin treatment, symptoms of hyperthyroidism should subside and you should start feeling much better. However, your doctor may recommend that you watch out for iodine in your diet because it can cause hyperthyroidism or make it worse. Kelp, dulse and others types of seaweed contain a lot of iodine.
How long does it take to regulate hyperthyroidism?This takes approximately 6 to 18 weeks. People with severe symptoms, older adults, and people with heart problems should first be treated with an antithyroid drug to control symptoms.
How do antithyroid medications work to treat hyperthyroidism?Antithyroid Medication (ATM): ATMs work by blocking the thyroid's use of iodine to produce hormones. These medications include oral PTU and MMI. PTU may be used when patients cannot tolerate MMI, radioactive iodine, or surgery. When these drugs are used, a relapse of hyperthyroidism may occur over time.
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