A hypothyroidism diagnosis can be at once upsetting and relieving. After all, researchers estimate upwards of 60 percent of people with thyroid disease aren’t aware they have it — a reality that can lead to frustration at uncontrolled symptoms and failed treatments for misdiagnosed conditions.
But living with hypothyroidism can be similarly emotional. The disease may lead to weight gain and an increased risk for depression; women with hypothyroidism may have trouble conceiving, and youngsters may experience growth delays.
Luckily, if you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism — a condition in which the thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones — you have many treatments at your disposal, and these treatments can help you return to a healthy, active life.
Understanding the Causes of Hypothyroidism and How It’s Diagnosed
First, it’s important to understand what the thyroid gland is and how it works.
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the bottom front of your neck and is responsible for many of your body’s metabolic processes. During hypothyroidism (or low thyroid), the gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, including triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
While there isn’t a single cause of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (also called Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism), an autoimmune disease likely related to genetics, is the leading driver behind most cases of this thyroid disease.
A doctor may diagnose you with hypothyroidism if your blood tests reveal above-average levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) along with below-average T4 hormones.
Because hypothyroidism involves a lack of sufficient thyroid hormones, treatment focuses on replacing their loss.
There’s no cure for hypothyroidism, so lifelong treatment is required to help you feel better and decrease any related complications, such as heart disease.
But many people are happy to learn that once they and their doctors are able to figure out the best type and dosage of medication for them, many of the most uncomfortable hypothyroidism symptoms — such as fatigue, high cholesterol, and weight gain — may be reversed.
The Best Hypothyroidism Treatments to Consider
Synthetic T4 Hormones to Replace Insufficient Thyroid Hormones
Hypothyroidism is most commonly treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and the most effective way to treat hypothyroidism is with synthetic T4 medication. While these hormones are identical to the natural T4 that the thyroid makes, several factors can affect the exact dosage you need. These include your age, the severity of symptoms, and your overall health profile.
Synthetic T4 is available in a prescription medication called levothyroxine, sold under brand names such as Levothroid and Synthroid. There are many generic versions available, too. You’ll want to take care in switching back and forth between brands, as there may be slight variations in doses.
When you first start taking prescription thyroxine hormones, a doctor will prescribe a dosage based on your blood test results. The higher your TSH and the lower your T4 levels, the larger the dosage (the dose decision is also weight-based). Children, teenagers, and the elderly generally require smaller doses.
But determining the correct dosage isn’t a quick process — you will need a blood test between six and eight weeks after you first start taking your medicine to see if your hormone levels are normalizing. If a doctor thinks you need a dosage adjustment, he or she will do so and recheck your hormone levels after another six to eight weeks. Once your thyroid hormone levels stabilize, you won’t need another thyroid check for six months. Controlled hypothyroidism requires only an annual checkup.
You must take synthetic thyroxine every day in the morning on an empty stomach. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking (with the exception of water). Skipping doses can cause your thyroid to go off balance. If you do miss a dose, be sure to take it the next day according to your regular schedule. Don’t double up on your dose by taking two pills at a time, because this can increase your levels by too much.
Combination Medications With Synthetic T3 and T4 Hormone
Also available on the market are combination medications that contain both synthetic T4 and T3 hormones, but such medications aren’t usually recommended. For one thing, most patients see their condition improve with synthetic T4 alone because of the ability of the thyroid to convert these hormones to T3 when needed. Also, synthetic T3-T4 combination drugs can cause anxiety — if you have a preexisting mental health disability, such side effects may be even greater.
In some cases, a doctor may recommend a separate T3 medication — called Cytomel (liothyronine) — in addition to levothyroxine.
Supplements to Be Wary of if You Have Hypothyroidism
Calcium supplements or antacids that contain calcium may interfere with the effectiveness of your thyroid hormone replacement medications. Therefore, experts advise taking any products with calcium a minimum of four hours before or after taking your synthetic thyroid hormones.
Iron Equally risky if you have hypothyroidism are iron supplements. Similar to calcium, these supplements can affect how your thyroid hormone replacement is absorbed in the body.
For now, you can feel free to get in touch with our experts and apply for a free consultation.