Are you seeing a lump like structure on your throat that was not there before? Or have you suddenly lost weight in such a short period of time without you doing anything and in fact have noticed you gaining so much appetite lately? You may need a hyperthyroidism treatment.
Other symptoms of this autoimmune disorder includes: rapid or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, fine tremors on your hands and fingers, excessive sweating, menstrual changes, bowel changes, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and irritability.
Since diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is relatively difficult, your health provider will have to do a thorough assessment and evaluation including blood tests to confirm before a treatment is recommended.
Studies show that about 3 million people in the United States are suffering from hyperthyroidism and most of these numbers are women.
The most causes of hyperthyroidism include: a strong familial heredity, smoking, exposure to excessive iodine or excessive intake of thyroid hormones, trauma to the thyroid glands, diet deficiencies and a current severe and major stress in life can predispose your hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism Treatment Methods Available
Several options for hyperthyroidism treatment are available, but treatment methods are dependent with your age, general health condition and the severity of your condition.
Radioactive Iodine
This is the most common hyperthyroidism treatment used for its convenience and cost. Radioactive iodine tablets are taken orally every day to decrease the size of the overactive thyroid glands.
This hyperthyroidism treatment is employed for three to six months to decrease the production of your thyroid hormones your health provider should monitor you regularly to avoid excessive decrease of the thyroid hormones that can result into hypothyroidism.
Anti-thyroid Medications
This hyperthyroidism treatment also works by inhibiting the thyroid glands from producing too much thyroxine hormones, therefore, reducing the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Special precautions for the long term use of these drugs should be to monitor your liver function to determine if your liver is affected by the medication.
Beta Blockers
This hyperthyroid treatment does not directly affect your disease, but is used to regulate you heart’s activity to prevent palpitations, increased heart rate and to prevent serious complications.
Calcium Supplement
This should be included in your hyperthyroidism treatment plan because hyperthyroidism condition contributes to thinning bones, so to prevent osteoporosis calcium intake should be part of your daily diet.
Thyroidectomy
This hyperthyroidism treatment is the surgical removal of the thyroid glands. This treatment option is indicated if you cannot tolerate the daily intake of anti-thyroid and radioactive iodine tablets.
This treatment option is also employed for individuals who have serious liver problems and those with serious heart conditions that if surgery is not done can be fatal.
As an option for hyperthyroidism treatment, it is necessary to be aware of the risks in performing this surgery. Risks involved may include: damage to your vocal cord so it is very important to have an experienced surgeon to do it, lifelong thyroid hormone supplement is administered to maintain normal levels needed by your body,
Graves’ Ophthalmopathy in Hyperthyroidism
A common complication in hyperthyroidism is Grave’s ophthalmology where your eyes may tend to protrude because your enlarged thyroid glands are pushing them out causing several symptoms. That is why hyperthyroid treatment always includes management of this symptom.
Orbital Decompression Surgery
This surgical procedure is done if the symptoms are moderate to severe to reduce eye swelling, to let the eyes return to normal position and to improve vision.
Eye Muscle Surgery
This hyperthyroidism treatment is done to pull the shortened eye muscles that cause double vision.
Home Care Management Options
It is important to have home hyperthyroidism treatment management plans to relieve eye problems like: avoiding bright lights and wearing sun protection when outdoors, eye dryness can be relieved by artificial tear formulas, apply steroid eye drops prescribed by your health provider to reduce eye swelling, diet watch with important supplements is also important so ask your health provider about your specific meal plan that will also help control your weight, cool compresses can also be applied to reduce your eye swelling and when sleeping make sure that you elevate your head using two pillows to reduce eye pressure
