What is the Thyroid? Types of Medications for Managing the DiseaseThyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It produces and releases the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) into the bloodstream. These hormones control how fast the body functions and produces energy.
A healthy thyroid gland produces the right amount of hormones and plays a crucial role in important bodily functions. These hormones manage metabolism, including how many calories we use, how warm we feel, and help regulate our weight. They also affect specific organs, like the heart, causing it to beat faster. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that leads to an excess of hormones reaching the body’s tissues.
There are various reasons for hyperthyroidism, but its symptoms and signs are similar. Due to an increased metabolism, patients often feel warmer and frequently experience weight loss despite consuming a lot of food.Weight Lossis common in such cases.
Treating Thyroid Disorderswith Medication
It’s a myth to say there is a definitive medicine for thyroid treatment since it cannot be completely cured; it can only be managed. Thus, medication needs to be taken for a lifetime.
Luckily, managing it isn’t very hard. You just need to take your thyroid pill daily.Thyroid PillOver time and through regular check-ups (usually every few months), a doctor can adjust your dosage as needed.
Levothyroxineis one of the medications prescribed for treatinghypothyroidism.As you start taking this medication, you’ll notice a gradual improvement, including a reduction in symptoms like fatigue. You will learn more about this medication shortly.
Treating Hyperthyroidism with Carbimazole:
This medication is used to treat hyperthyroidism. Carbimazole is a prodrug, converting to methimazole in the body. Methimazole works by inhibiting the enzyme thyroid peroxidase, preventing the production of thyroid hormones.
Carbimazole, which is available in pharmacies under brand names like NeO – MerCazole, is a medication used for treating thyroid gland disorders, with its primary use being forhyperthyroidism.It’s important to know that taking more than the recommended dose can be relatively dangerous, and addiction to Carbimazole is low. Prescription is required to obtain Carbimazole, and it is not for general use.
Side Effects of Carbimazole:
Skin rashes and itching, bone marrow suppression, and decreased white blood cell count can lead to mouth sores and infections with high fever. Due to its transfer through the placenta and excretion in breast milk, it’s not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Propylthiouracil for Hyperthyroidism:
Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism before surgery or radiotherapy and as a supportive treatment in thyroid storm or thyrotoxicosis. This medication inhibits the production of thyroid hormones and also prevents the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), making it effective in thyroid storm.
Due to its short half-life, Propylthiouracil is usually taken three times a day every 8 hours and should be taken at specific times.
Side Effects of Propylthiouracil:
The side effects of this medication depend on the dosage and generally appear within 4 to 8 weeks after starting treatment. These include nausea,
headaches,mild and reversible fever, skin rashes, joint pain, jaundice, and rarely, hair loss. Agranulocytosis is a dangerous side effect of this medication.Treating Thyroid Disorders with Methimazole:
Methimazole is used for treating overactive thyroid conditions like Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, and preparing for thyroid surgery due to its increased activity. Methimazole is also used when the thyroid gland needs to be removed, or for other conditions determined by a doctor, such as thyrotoxicosis.
Side Effects of Methimazole:
Nausea, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, weakness, fever, trembling, bleeding, itching,
drowsiness,skin rashes, fatigue, jaundice of the skin, eye jaundice, joint and muscle pain,shortness of breath,changes in taste, lightheadedness, numbness and tingling, stomach discomfort, severe allergic reactions, facial swelling, tongue swelling, chest tightness, dark urine, and irregularheartbeats,fainting,persistent sore throat, severe and continuous headaches, stomach pain, and changes in vision.Controlling Thyroid Conditions with Sodium Levothyroxine:Sodium Levothyroxine is prescribed as a thyroid hormone replacement. It’s used in treating patients with hypothyroidism. The thyroid is responsible for producing levothyroxine.
In patients with hypothyroidism, the thyroid produces less of this hormone. Additionally, this medication is used in children with hypothyroidism (cretinism) and individuals with asymptomatic thyroid enlargement (
goiter
) as well. Levothyroxine is available in pill form.Side Effects of Sodium Levothyroxine:Sodium Levothyroxine may cause unwanted side effects.
If you experience worsening of the following symptoms, consult your doctor:
Headache, tremors, nervousness, irritability,
insomnia
and sleep issues, muscle weakness, sweating and heat intolerance, hot flashes, fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, weight loss, increased appetite, menstrual irregularities in women, and hair loss.However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:Chest pain,
palpitations,
and fast or irregular heartbeat.Sodium Liothyronine for Thyroid Disorders:Liothyronine is used for diagnosing and treating hypothyroidism, preventing and treating goiter, thyroid cancer, and assessing thyroid gland function. Thyroid hormones play an essential role in natural metabolism, growth, and development, especially in the development of the nervous system in children.
Side Effects of Sodium Liothyronine:
Angina pain, arrhythmias, palpitations, muscle cramps, tachycardia, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, headache, hot flashes, sweating, weight loss, and muscle weakness are potential side effects of this medication.
What is the Thyroid
Thyroid Disease
