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Is It Possible To Control Hyperthyroid Without Drugs?
Question: Is it possible to control Hyperthyroid without drugs? Is it necessary to continue medicine after TSH reaching normal.
Brief Answer:
It depends on the cause of hyperthyroidism
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX,
Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed by blood tests- Increased T4, T3 and low TSH. The answer depends on what caused increased thyroid hormones in blood. Three common possibilities are
1. Thyroiditis
Here thyroid is destroyed and thyroid hormones stored in thyroid are released to blood. Only supportive treatment (like analgesics and beta clocker group of drugs to decrease palpitation) is needed. Mild cases may not require drug treatment.
2. Graves disease
Here entire thyroid is over functioning. Three treatment options are there:
a) Anti thyroid medications. These medicines (carbimazole, methimazole or propyl thio uracil) has to be taken for 1 1/2 to 2 years (even after TSH is normalised)
If you don't prefer medications, you can opt for other two options.
b) Radio iodine treatment
Here radio iodine liquid is ingested once. The radio active iodine get concentrated in your thyroid and destroy the function of it, thus treating hyperthyroidism.
c) Thyroidectomy - Surgical removal of over active thyroid
3. Toxic nodule
Here one nodule in thyroid is over functioning. Here medications can control the disease, but once stopped hyperthyroidism re appears. So surgery and radio iodine treatment are the options.
Diet modification : low iodine diet - avoid seafoods and iodine fortified salt & other foods.
So answer to your two questions are
1. Other than drugs - two options are radio iodine treatment and surgery
2. You have to continue medication till 1 1/2 to 2 years even if your TSH is normalised.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Consultant Endocrinologist
It depends on the cause of hyperthyroidism
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX,
Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed by blood tests- Increased T4, T3 and low TSH. The answer depends on what caused increased thyroid hormones in blood. Three common possibilities are
1. Thyroiditis
Here thyroid is destroyed and thyroid hormones stored in thyroid are released to blood. Only supportive treatment (like analgesics and beta clocker group of drugs to decrease palpitation) is needed. Mild cases may not require drug treatment.
2. Graves disease
Here entire thyroid is over functioning. Three treatment options are there:
a) Anti thyroid medications. These medicines (carbimazole, methimazole or propyl thio uracil) has to be taken for 1 1/2 to 2 years (even after TSH is normalised)
If you don't prefer medications, you can opt for other two options.
b) Radio iodine treatment
Here radio iodine liquid is ingested once. The radio active iodine get concentrated in your thyroid and destroy the function of it, thus treating hyperthyroidism.
c) Thyroidectomy - Surgical removal of over active thyroid
3. Toxic nodule
Here one nodule in thyroid is over functioning. Here medications can control the disease, but once stopped hyperthyroidism re appears. So surgery and radio iodine treatment are the options.
Diet modification : low iodine diet - avoid seafoods and iodine fortified salt & other foods.
So answer to your two questions are
1. Other than drugs - two options are radio iodine treatment and surgery
2. You have to continue medication till 1 1/2 to 2 years even if your TSH is normalised.
Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Consultant Endocrinologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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