Hypothyroidism Medication

Angela was in her late teens and was a normal healthy kid, before she and her mother realized that Angela has not started with her menstruation. A visit to the gynecologist culminated in thyroid and growth hormone test. Consequently the tests revealed that Angela was short on thyroid hormone, that is, she had hypothyroidism.

To elaborate on this, hypothyroidism is a thyroid gland problem, where the gland does not secrete enough thyroid hormone. This leads to obstructions in normal physical and mental growth. The endocrine functions of the body are overall affected by a disease of the thyroid. For instance, one of the symptoms that thyroid is not functioning properly is that a person may gain weight and have clammy skin and brittle nails. However, it is not an incurable medical condition and these symptoms can be reduced. There are prescribed medicines to tackle this condition, depending on the severity and type.

Medications for Hypothyroidism

Before the treatment commences, there are 2 things which need to be checked. One is that the thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroxine(T4) levels should be confirmed along with other thyroid tests. Sometimes checking cholesterol levels also need to be checked. Then after seeing these reports the doctor decides the treatment.

Thyroid Replacement Therapy
The first and foremost line of treatment is thyroid replacement therapy. This is clearly detected through the tests and symptoms. Blood tests of patients showing high TSH (generally 10 mU/L and above) and low T4 levels are recommended thyroid replacement therapy and it is a must for them. The normal and initial treatment given is thyroid medicine levothyroxine sodium (for example, Synthroid, Levoxyl, or Levothroid). Apart from this, natural thyroid supplements from the dried thyroids of animals are also prescribed and available for thyroid problems. This is simply to give necessary boost to the ongoing thyroid hormone secretion from the body.

Natural Thyroid Hormone
Dried and powdered thyroid hormone, like Armor thyroid is also prescribed, which is made from animal glands. Although some prefer this because it poses less autoimmune risk factors, it is not recommended usually these days. It is apparently believed to be good by some practitioners as it contains both T3 and T4. This treatment however needs to be scientifically evaluated.

T3 and T4 Combination
Unless it is a special case, Triiodothyronine(T3), another important thyroid hormone is not generally prescribed. Most of the time patients give a positive response to just T4 and that is interestingly converted into T3 once it enters the body! There are quite a few medicines which have a combination of this, on the grounds that just T4 works better than these 2 in tandem.

Levothyroxine Courses
The patient just needs to take a tablet once a day. In adults, it can take around 6 weeks before the results can be observed. Many of them may also feel better and sense the improvement in a couple of weeks as well. It is actually gradually assimilated in the organs and then its effects can be seen. Dosage starts at 50 micrograms per day. It is then increased in intervals of 3 to 4 weeks till normal levels of thyroid are attained. A maintenance dose averages around 112 mgs.

Side Effects
These medications, just as they are necessary to correct the thyroid secretion, a wrong dosage or missed doses can lead to:

• Heart palpitations
• Nervousness
• Insomnia
• Shaking
• Frequent bowel movements
• Too much weight loss
• Discomfort in warm weather
• Osteoporosis in case the dose is too high for a long time

The weight loss factor might be appealing for some and they might think about taking medication for weight loss, but that is a big no no. Needless to say it can have disastrous side effects.

Thus this is the general course of treatment involved in hypothyroidism. There is actually nothing very shocking because many individuals are detected as having that. Taking the medicines regularly and without missing a dosage will help maintain good health.

Ultimately, a saddening part is even after your thyroid hormone levels come to normal after treatment, it is a life long process. You cannot stop taking the medicine. Still, all the same, if it is going to keep that individual hale and hearty, popping one pill a day isn't a pain, right?