Medicine For Hypothyroidism: All You Need To Know!

Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, disrupting various bodily functions. As a result, it leads to various health hazards like heart disease and obesity. Now, this condition can arise due to several reasons, including surgical removal of the thyroid gland, radiation therapy, or autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Thyroid hormones are essential for the overall health and well-being of human beings. They play a pivotal role in regulating key bodily functions, such as metabolism, heart rate, and liver performance. By influencing these systems, thyroid hormones help maintain energy balance, cardiovascular health, and optimal organ function. The deficiency of these hormones can significantly impact the quality of life, emphasising the importance of timely diagnosis and effective management of hypothyroidism.

Causes and Risk Factors

Some of the common causes of hypothyroidism are:

• Iodine deficiency: When the individual doesn't have sufficient iodine 
• Specific medications: Medications like lithium, amiodarone, and thalidomide cause hypothyroidism
• Thyroiditis: This disease can occur if thyroiditis happens after pregnancy or any critical illness
• Pituitary gland disorders: Disorders in pituitary glands, including non-malignant tumours, can cause
•  hypothyroidism

Here are the factors that increase the risk of hypothyroidism:

• If the patient's family had a history of thyroid disease
• If the patient has an autoimmune disease such as celiac disease or type 1 diabetes
• Individuals received radiation treatment on the upper chest or neck
• Individuals who have had thyroid surgery before

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• Tiredness 
• Depression and anxiety
• Hoarseness
• High blood cholesterol
• Intolerance of cold temperature
• Dry skin and hair
• Muscle weakness
• Unexpected weight gain
• Numbness in hands
• Difficulty in concentration or tendency to forgetfulness

The diagnostic tests for hypothyroidism are:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test
• Thyroxine (T4) test
• Triiodothyronine (T3) test
• Thyroid antibody test
• Imaging tests such as ultrasound, radioactive iodine uptake test or thyroid scan

Treatment for Hypothyroidism

Here are some treatment goals for hypothyroidism:

Objectives of Hypothyroidism Management

The objective of hypothyroidism management is to keep the T4 and TSH hormone levels at the normal range.

•  Remove the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as tiredness, weight gain, etc.
• Promote a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.
• Improve mental health with stress relief strategies.
• Preventing health from other complications such as heart diseases and digestive and cognitive issues.

Monitoring Treatment Effectiveness

The doctors measure the effectiveness of the treatment by doing the following –

• Conduct regular blood tests such as TSH and free thyroxine (FT4). Generally, blood tests are conducted after 6-8 weeks of starting thyroid hormone therapy. 
• Monitor if there is any improvement in symptoms.
• Again, the frequency of monitoring depends upon factors such as age, treatment stability, and health conditions. 

Medications for Hypothyroidism

The most common medicine for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, and others). The medication is directly taken through the mouth regularly. 

How Thyroid Hormone Replacement Works?

T4 or thyroxine replacement helps to restore the natural level of thyroid hormone in the human body. Synthetic thyroxine pills are used in this treatment. These pills contain the exact amount of T4 the thyroid gland generates naturally. So, all hypothyroidism patients except those with life-threatening hypothyroidism (severe myxedema) can be treated with such medications. For some patients, an additional dosage of T3 or Cytomel may be required. 

Dosage and Adjustment

Here are some insights on the dosage and their adjustments for hypothyroidism:

Determining the Correct Dosage

The physicians check the TSH level of individuals to determine the correct dosage of levothyroxine. So they check the TSH level after the 6 to 8 weeks of taking levothyroxine. Again, they may give a verdict for another blood test after 6 months to check the TSH level. 

Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment

• First, the doctor will analyse the symptoms, medications the patient is taking, and other medical conditions.
•  Then, the doctor will check the blood pressure, heart rate, and other visible symptoms to determine the next phase of the treatment. 

Potential Side Effects

The common side effects of thyroid medication are:

• Tiredness
• Sleep problems
• Increased appetite
• Heart palpitations
• Shakiness

Here are some tips on managing adverse reactions of the medication:

• It's mandatory to communicate with the doctors and inform them about the side effects.
• Follow the doctor's prescribed dosage and timing of thyroid medication.
• The patient must attend regular thyroid hormone level checkups to keep a tab on the progress. 
• Additionally, they must adopt stress management strategies, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. 

Lifestyle and Dietary Considerations

The dietary considerations for hypothyroidism include:

• Consider iodine-rich foods and use iodised salt. 
• Add tuna, Brazil nuts, eggs, sardines, etc., to increase the selenium level in the body.
• Including foods such as salmon, green leaves, eggs, chicken, etc., can reduce the risk of vitamin B among hypothyroidism patients.
• Also, individuals need magnesium, zinc, iron, and vitamin D-rich foods.
• Avoid gluten and ultra-processed foods. 

Regular exercise is needed for the following reasons:

• Lowering the stress and improving the mood.
• Increase the energy level and decrease fatigue.
• It burns calories, helps in weight loss, and builds good muscles. 

Living with Hypothyroidism

Since it is not possible to absolutely cure hypothyroidism, here are some tips on managing and living with the condition:

Long-term Management Strategies

There is no way to get permanently cured of hypothyroidism. However, early diagnosis and treatments help to manage hypothyroidism effectively. Some of the major strategies of hypothyroidism management are -

• Providing daily dosage of levothyroxine to maintain the levels of thyroid hormone. It also eliminates the symptoms of hypothyroidism. 
• Continuing the hypothyroidism medication for life long. 
• Improving the standard and quality of lifestyle. It includes a nutrient-rich diet, avoiding junk foods, and regular exercise.
• Follow-up healthcare provider for proper monitoring of the treatment effectiveness. 

Coping Tips for Individuals

• Sleep for at least 8 hours every night in a quiet and dark room.
• Perform some relaxing activities every day for at least 10 minutes. The relaxing activities can be painting, reading, spending some time outdoors, etc.
• Also, make a habit of regular exercise, meditation, yoga, and therapy for stress management.
• Follow a diet with vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and protein.
•  Avoid natural thyroid medications. 

Conclusion

Hypothyroidism can be effectively managed with proper diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle adjustment. Thus, the doctors analyse the symptoms and determine the current condition through tests and then move on with effective treatment planning. Besides the medication and hormone replacement therapy, they also encourage an active lifestyle and dietary changes to support the process and control this condition.

So, if an individual observes any symptoms of hypothyroidism, he/she must consult a doctor to get it checked and start with the treatment. Early intervention, treatment and regular monitoring can reduce the risks and other complexities related to this disease.