How to Cure Hyperthyroidism
The medicine that is used to cure hyperthyroidism is medicine which blocks the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which causes the thyroid gland to produce less thyroid hormone. When there is less secretion of hormone from the thyroid gland in the blood, the metabolism of the body will become slower. The symptoms that occur from high metabolism (heart palpitation, fatigue, and weight loss) will disappear.
The advantage of medical treatment is that the thyroid gland will not be destroyed and no hypothyroidism will occur when withdrawing from the medicine, which is different from the treatment by surgery or drinking mineral water. After taking the medicine for 1 year, less than half of patients with hyperthyroidism can withdraw from the medicine for a long time. For the remaining parts, the thyroid gland will become toxic again within 1 year after withdrawing from the medicine. The treatment can be continued by taking the medicine or using other treatment methods.
The disadvantage of medical treatment is that dose adjustment is frequently needed for the gland to produce adequate hormone level. Mostly, the medicine will not help to reduce the size of the thyroid gland.
Moreover, oral medication might cause a drug allergy. In a non-severe allergy, only skin rash might occur. In a severe case (rarely occur), it will lower the level of white blood cells and lead to infection. Therefore, in the first 1-2 months of oral medication, if there is fever, mouth ulcer, or oral thrush due to a lower white blood cell level, come to see the doctor to check the white blood cell level.
The surgery of hyperthyroidism is the traditional treatment method since there is no medical treatment and radioactive iodine. Because hyperthyroidism produces too much hormones, removing some parts of the thyroid will minimize the size of the gland. The hormone that secretes into the blood will reduce because the metabolism in the body will not work too fast.
Nevertheless, the surgery has the risk of cutting the laryngeal nerve and causing a hoarse voice. There is also the risk of cutting the parathyroid gland that controls the calcium level of the body, which lowers the calcium in blood and can cause carpopedal spasm. However, if the surgeon is an expert, these two complications will not occur.
In the long run, the remaining thyroid gland from the surgery will have a chance to work less until the hormone becomes inadequate and leads to hypothyroidism (thyroid gland works less). Hypothyroidism will occur slowly, not acutely. The patient will not notice the abnormality. After the surgery, follow up with the treatment as appointed.
Treatment by Taking Mineral Water (Radioactive Iodine)
Mineral water or Iodine-131 is a radioisotope of iodine, which is produced by putting iodine into a nuclear reactor. When taking it out, the Iodine-131 will gradually change to Iodine-128. In this process, the radioisotope will be released which can destroy the cells. The thyroid gland will keep most of the Iodine-131 as components in producing T3 and T4 hormones. Therefore, the thyroid gland is the only gland that can be destroyed by Iodine-131. Taking Iodine-131 is like a surgery to destroy the thyroid gland.
For the misunderstanding that taking Iodine-131 will cause infertility or abnormal childbirth, currently there is adequate information that can confirm that receiving Iodine-131 is safe and does not cause infertility or abnormal child. The only thing that should be monitored after taking Iodine-131 is hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid due to the thyroid gland being destroyed too much.
The purchase order of Iodine-131 must be in the specific quantity for each person. The doctor will calculate the suitable quantity in each person according to the date as specified. When the specified date is completed, the intensity of Iodine-131 will decrease. Therefore, the important point of treatment by taking Iodine-131 is that it must be taken on the date of appointment and must be monitored continuously for hypothyroidism. If it has just started, the doctor will detect it earlier and prescribe the supplements for thyroid hormone in time.
