For most people, treatment is for life. Occasionally, the disease process reverses. This is uncommon apart from the following:

• Children. Sometimes hypothyroidism is a temporary condition in older children. (This is not so for children who are born with an underactive thyroid.)
• Pregnancy. Some women develop thyroid imbalance after having a baby. If it occurs, it typically happens about three to six months after the birth. Often this lasts just a few months and corrects itself. Treatment is needed only in a small number of cases. However, afterwards it is wise to have a yearly blood test as there is an increased risk of developing autoimmune thyroiditis and long-term hypothyroidism in the future.

Are there any side-effects or problems from treatment?

Usually not. Levothyroxine tablets replace the body's natural hormone, so side-effects are uncommon. However, if you have angina, you may find that your angina pains become worse when you first start levothyroxine. Tell a doctor if this happens.

If you take too much levothyroxine it can lead to symptoms and problems of an over-active thyroid. For example, palpitations, diarrhoea, irritability, and sweating, and increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. This is why you need blood tests to check that you are taking the correct dose.

Other medicines may interfere with the action of levothyroxine. For example, carbamazepine, iron tablets, phenytoin, and rifampicin. If you start any of these medicines, or change the dose, then you may need to alter the dose of the levothyroxine. Your doctor will advise. Also, if you take warfarin, the dose may need to be altered if you have a change in your dose of levothyroxine.

Free prescriptions

If you have hypothyroidism, you are entitled to free prescriptions. This is for all your medicines, whether related to the hypothyroidism or not. Ask at your GP surgery for a form to fill in (form FP92A) to claim this benefit.

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