How long is the treatment for?
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.
Average rating:
Where to next?
-
How is hypothyroidism treated?
-
How long is the treatment for?
-
In summary on Hypothyroidism
-
Surgery or radioactive treatment to the thyroid gland
-
What are the possible complications of hypothyroidism?
-
What causes hypothyroidism?
-
What is hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
-
Underactive thyroid: Under the microscope
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
Sue, 8 months
My youngest son was diagnosed at about 18 months old with having Dishormonogenesis (thyroid gland present, but does not work). Although babies have the heel prick test to test for thyroid function at about a week old, his condition was not picked up from that. We were told that if he had gone on undiagnosed for any longer he would have suffered brain damage.
Report this commentleila, about 1 year
ive been tested recently, but all tests came back,in the normal range, underactive thyroid runs in my family, for my auntie and her son, down to both of my sisters, i feel so tired all day every day, i suffer from freezing cold hands and feet nearly all day. my hair is starting to fall out slightly whilst in the bath, thats been happening for well over 12 months, my iron level is fine, should i ask my gp for another blood test? please help for a very tired mum
Report this commentmaria, about 1 year
this site was very useful i have just been diagnoised with under active thyroid.Iam looking into treating it natraully as dont want to be on more medecation do you have any ideas,as for the weight i have put on loads and now i know why gym would be good if i had the energy.be good to hear from you thanks maria
Report this commentLaura, about 1 year
I am a sufferer of underactive thyroid but didn't find this site useful as i was born without a thyroid all together i would be interested to know if anyone knows of a site that deals with that and if they have any ideas on how to lose weight as i am finding this really difficult.
Report this comment
rachel, 8 months
I am 21 and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at 17 after a very difficult 12-18 months of not understanding why no part of my body seemed to do what it was supposed to. Reading all the articles on this site makes me feel the condition is being put across as something really easy to treat and that it doesn't continue to affect your life once you start treatment. The truth is it will always affect your daily life but you just learn to deal with it better as time goes on. I don't think any person who doesn't have the condition can understand just how many different aspects of your body and mind it has an effect on. To Leila, I would say definitely go back to your doctor and ask about 'sub-clinical' hypothyroidism. This would not necessarily show up on a blood test. The level of thyroxine needed for your body differs from person to person so the fact that your level shows as normal does not then immediately mean there is enough for you specifically. Your doctor may agree to start you on a low dose of medication - 25-50mcg a day - as a trial to see if it helps. Be firm with your doctor about how awful you feel and how your symptoms are definitely ones that are common to hypothyroidism. To Maria, the treatment of hypothyroidism is NOT chemical medication in the same way as drugs like painkillers. It is a tablet form of a naturally occurring hormone. I strongly recommend that if you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, not to put off going on levothyroxine tablets. Go on it then supplement it with things liek Selenium which will help ease flaky skin and hair-loss as symtoms of the condition. The longer you stay off medication the more symptoms you will get. By the time I was diagnosed I had over thirty-five different symptoms which were all attributed to and caused by hypothyroidism. I don't know why anyone would want to get to that point when they have the means to go on the medication. The gym will not help you lose weight unless you start taking thyroxine tablets. The lack of thyroxine is what causes weight gain. I lost two stone in less than two weeks after starting medication. More recently I have lost another two stone through Weight Watchers. Once your thyroxine level is more stable, you can lose weight in the same way as any other person would. Similarly, to Laura, if your medication level is correct then there shouldnt be a reason why exercise and healthy eating wouldn't lead to weight loss. If you are unable to lose weight then you may want to see your doctor to discuss your dosage. It may need increasing. Good luck to all those just diagnosed or having trouble, from someone who knows what you're going through.
Report this comment