Hypothyroidism or Hoshimoto’s Disease really has only one medical treatment, which is through the use of synthetic hormones that balance out what the thyroid is not producing. These man-made hormones are very effective at replacing what your body cannot produce with most patients seeing a vast improvement in their health a few weeks and a complete easing of symptoms in just a few months.
Everyone responds to thyroid hormone replacement therapy differently, but typically the only other actions you will need to take is to visit your doctor so that they can monitor your levels. The test comes in the form of a blood draw and analysis. It is a painless and simple procedure and the test results come back within a day or two. From the results of the blood test, the doctor can determine if you need more or less hormone on a daily basis.
Taking the medication is tricky, because the effects of the medication come on slowly. This means that you may have to take the medication for 2-3 weeks before the effects of the hormone take place. Because if this, it is important that you monitor the intake of your hormone dose closely. If you miss a day or two, this will greatly upset the balance of hormones in your body. If a doctor took your hormone levels while you are taking your medication inconsistently, you will get an inaccurate reading. Always let your doctor know if you have been taking your medication consistently. Tell the truth!
Thyroid Medication
There are many different kinds of thyroid medication. The generic name for them all is Levothyroxine. Within this group you will be prescribed either Synthroid (what I take), Levoxyl or Levothroid. There may even be more out there the medication and the thyroid condition are very common. Since different women respond to different medications, your doctor will make sure to monitor how you respond to an individual brand of medication. Even though they are all the same, they all have different side effects for various people.
During the first few weeks of taking the medication, make sure to track how your body is responding so you can supply your doctor with a good amount of accurate information. Often times, if you have been prescribed too little medication, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will not change: constipation, lethargy, weight gain, etc. If you end up taking too much of the hormone you may feel jittery, nervous and maybe even feel slight tremors throughout your body. Again, keep a close eye on this. You are your most powerful advocate when it comes time to see the doctor again.
The bottom line when it comes to treatments for hypothyroidism in women is to know that the long term maintenance of your condition can be fixed with a little pill and frequent visits to the hospital. Not much of an inconvenience when you consider other conditions you might have. However, it is important to note that medication is not the only route to a healthy you. Changing diets and exercise habits can go a long way to fighting the effects of hypothyroidism as well.