Treatments for
Thyroid Disease
Recommended thyroid treatment approaches depend on the type of thyroid disease you have, and in some cases, the severity of the condition. This article provides an overview of the treatment approaches for key thyroid conditions -- hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid disease, Hashimoto's, Graves' disease, thyroiditis, nodules, goiter, and thyroid cancer -- as well as information on the specific treatments.
What is the treatment for thyroid disease?
Depending on the specifics of the disease being treated, medications, surgery or radioactive therapy may be used as treatment modalities.
Medications
Medications may be used to treat hyperthyroidism to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, its release from the gland and/or to treat the signs and symptoms that occur in hyperthyroidism such as a rapid heart beat. In hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroid hormone is used to replace the inadequacy of thyroid hormone. Occasionally, in the case of a large goiter, Thyroid hormone replacement may be given in small doses in an attempt to shrink the gland size. It should be mentioned that there are "natural" thyroid compounds available on the market. These vary in their effects and in their dosing and are beyond the scope of this discussion. Steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs, may also be used to reduce inflammation of inflamed thyroid glands.
Surgery
Surgery is the treatment of choice when the thyroid gland is causing compressing the airway resulting in difficulty in breathing or swallowing. In addition, surgery can performed to remove a nodule that is overactive, remove a goiter that is disfiguring, or when cancer is a possibility. Depending on the reason for the surgery, part of a lobe, a whole lobe or the whole thyroid (perhaps with surrounding tissue) may be removed. When the entire thyroid gland is removed, medical replacement with synthetic thyroid replacement is required.
Radioactive ablation
When hyperthyroidism is inadequately responding to medications, radioactive ablation may be tried. In contrast to the scans described above, the iodine in this situation is labeled with a tracer that destroys the thyroid tissue. Ablation is used in cases of hyperthyroidism that do not respond to medications, particularly Graves' disease. This form of therapy is also used along with surgery to treat certain forms of thyroid cancer.
Recommended thyroid treatment approaches depend on the type of thyroid disease you have, and in some cases, the severity of the condition. This article provides an overview of the treatment approaches for key thyroid conditions -- hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid disease, Hashimoto's, Graves' disease, thyroiditis, nodules, goiter, and thyroid cancer -- as well as information on the specific treatments.
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| Hypothyroidism Treatment | |
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Hypothyroidism is treated by replacing the missing hormone, a hormone that is essential to the body’s key functions. |
| Hyperthyroidism / Graves' Disease Treatment | |
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Hyperthyroidism is treated by reducing the excess hormone levels, which is accomplished in various ways. |
| Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Treatment | |
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Autoimmune thyroid disease includes Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and Graves' disease. Autoimmunity is usually indicated by the presence of antibodies. |
| Goiter/Thyroid Nodules Treatment | |
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Doctors may decide to monitor -- rather than treat -- some small goiters or nodules. Some are treated with thyroid hormone replacement drugs to slow, stop, or shrink the growth. Physically or cosmetically problematic goiters are usually treated with radioactive iodine (RAI) or surgery. |
| Thyroid Cancer Treatment | |
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There are four different types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The treatments are based on the type of cancer, and in some cases, the staging -- how far the cancer has spread to other parts of the body -- as well as if it’s a new cancer or a recurrent cancer. |
| Alternative and Holistic Approaches to Thyroid Treatment | |
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There are a number of alternative, holistic and integrative ways to approach thyroid disease treatment. |
What is the treatment for thyroid disease?
Depending on the specifics of the disease being treated, medications, surgery or radioactive therapy may be used as treatment modalities.
Medications
Medications may be used to treat hyperthyroidism to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, its release from the gland and/or to treat the signs and symptoms that occur in hyperthyroidism such as a rapid heart beat. In hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroid hormone is used to replace the inadequacy of thyroid hormone. Occasionally, in the case of a large goiter, Thyroid hormone replacement may be given in small doses in an attempt to shrink the gland size. It should be mentioned that there are "natural" thyroid compounds available on the market. These vary in their effects and in their dosing and are beyond the scope of this discussion. Steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs, may also be used to reduce inflammation of inflamed thyroid glands.
Surgery
Surgery is the treatment of choice when the thyroid gland is causing compressing the airway resulting in difficulty in breathing or swallowing. In addition, surgery can performed to remove a nodule that is overactive, remove a goiter that is disfiguring, or when cancer is a possibility. Depending on the reason for the surgery, part of a lobe, a whole lobe or the whole thyroid (perhaps with surrounding tissue) may be removed. When the entire thyroid gland is removed, medical replacement with synthetic thyroid replacement is required.
Radioactive ablation
When hyperthyroidism is inadequately responding to medications, radioactive ablation may be tried. In contrast to the scans described above, the iodine in this situation is labeled with a tracer that destroys the thyroid tissue. Ablation is used in cases of hyperthyroidism that do not respond to medications, particularly Graves' disease. This form of therapy is also used along with surgery to treat certain forms of thyroid cancer.
