Guest Author - Jim Lowrance

The treatment for hypothyroidism is simply to "replace" the low hormone. This is done by giving the patient "thyroid hormone replacement medication". The Doctor will prescribe a starting dose for the patient and do follow-up blood testing to adjust the dose to the correct level over time, which is called "titrating" the dose.

The AACE (Thyroid Specialists) and other medical authorities recommend that hypothyroid patients TSH levels while on thyroid hormone replacement medication, be suppressed down to between "1.0 and 2.0". The TSH level rises when thyroid hormone decreases and it falls when the thyroid hormone level increases. If a patient's TSH is not kept below 2.0, they risk continued hypothyroid symptoms and if it is brought significantly below 1.0, they risk patients developing hyperthyroid symptoms. Some Endocrinologists actually keep some patient's TSH levels between "0.5 to 1.0" ( lowest normal) if they feel the patient has a slightly sluggish pituitary gland or is simply a patient who does not fit into the general population, in regard to their TSH level. These type cases, take careful monitoring by the treating Doctors.

People found to be hyperthyroid, are treated with drugs that reduce the effects/symptoms of excess thyroid hormone and ones that slow down hormone production by the thyroid gland (anti-thyroid drugs). Beta-Blockers many times are used to help with blood pressure (hypertension), heart rate and anxiety problems, while anti-thyroid drugs that slow down the thyroid, are used to treat the over-production of thyroid hormone. The goal of the treatment is to normalize the patient's sped up metabolism.

In rare cases, when these medications do not fully control hyperthyroidism, RAI (Radio-Active-Iodine) treatment is given, to a patient, to destroy thyroid cells and diminish over-activity of the thyroid gland. In other cases, part or all of the patient's thyroid gland is surgically removed (partial or total thyroidectomy). Total removal of the thyroid gland is also done in cases of thyroid cancer.

Once "oblation" (RAI) or surgical removal is done in patients with hyperthyroidism, they too will become hypothyroid and will need hormone replacement medication from that point on.