Taking Thyroid Medications: Everything You Need to Know

Kinds of Thyroid Drugs

One of the most prescribed drugs in the United States has been Synthroid.  Hypothyroidism can be treated using three types of drugs: T4 drugs such as Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothyroxine and Tirosint, T3 drugs such as Cytomel, and T4/T3 combination drugs such as Armour, Nature-Throid, and WP Thyroid. Individuals afflicted with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may have impaired conversion of levothyroxine to liothyronine resulting in a more metabolically active thyroid hormone which can manifest as thyroid symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, depression, and hair loss, despite being on treatment.

Drug Switching

Switching between different brands or generic thyroid drugs will probably result in variations of actual dosage as compared to your previous drug, which was already adjusted by your healthcare professional.  Your thyroid should be retested 4-8 weeks after switching from one brand of drug, or the dose must be readjusted periodically until the right amount is achieved.

Interactions with other drugs

Thyroid drugs are infamous for their interactions with other drugs, resulting in changes in their effectiveness and toxicity profiles. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any other drugs to prevent such a scenario from happening.

Treatment Monitoring

Thyroid drugs are dosed in micrograms due to their narrow therapeutic index. Very slight variations in doses can result in unusual symptoms during treatment.  Rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, irritability, nervousness, insomnia, weight loss, diarrhea, excessive sweating, hair loss, or fatigue have been determined as common symptoms of such variations. Consequences of over-or-under treatment can be prevented by careful dosage titration.  TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 should be monitored to track your reaction to the drugs. Your healthcare professional will be the one responsible to interpret your results and adjust your dose accordingly.

Addison's disease

You should always be tested for Addison’s disease before you start treatment with thyroid hormones.  This is in order to prevent a possibly life-threatening situation by having an increased clearance of glucocorticoids when thyroid drugs are given to individuals with untreated Addison’s disease.

Pregnancy

Thyroid drugs have been deemed safe for use during pregnancy.  Being dosed properly can actually aid in the reproductive process of females as well as prevent any problems during pregnancy such as miscarriages.  Consult with your healthcare professional if you get pregnant while taking thyroid drugs.  Your dose will increase due to the increased demands of thyroid hormones during pregnancy.

Drug Absorption

The absorption of thyroid drugs can be affected by food, other medications and supplements. Also, intestinal conditions like untreated celiac disease, lactose intolerance, malabsorption and infections can prevent optimal absorption of thyroid hormones.

Prognosis

Thyroid drugs are like anti-hypertensive drugs which generally must be taken for the rest of your life.  Spontaneous remissions have only been reported in a fifth of the total cases.  Thyroid function examinations should be performed at least every 6-12 months to monitor your thyroid hormone levels.

Other Factors

The most common underlying cause of thyroid disease is due to autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease.The immune system attacks the thyroid gland due to false recognition of the thyroid as being a foreign or unnecessary object in the body. Autoimmunity still persists even after treatment with surgery or radiation.  The risk of having new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis and others diseases are increased if the underlying cause of the immune imbalance is left untreated. A combination of adrenal dysfunction, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, impaired gut function, infections and toxins that lead to the development of autoimmune disease, have been reported as the primary causes of autoimmune diseases.

Related:Prevention and Treatment of Thyroid Disorders

Foods that Naturally Relieve your Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

Hyperthyroidism cannot be prevented or treated through diet alone. It’s often treated with prescription drugs. Consult with your healthcare professional immediately if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You can limit some mild hyperthyroidism symptoms by eating certain foods.

Bugleweed
The herb bugleweed can help in the management of mild hyperthyroidism by reducing the amount of hormone that is produced by the thyroid. Studies have found that it helps decrease TSH levels and impairs thyroid hormone synthesis. It also helps lower T4 levels and blocks the conversion of T4 to T3.

●    Herbal tea can be prepared by putting one-half teaspoon of bugleweed in a cup of boiling water for several minutes. Strain and cool, and then drink this tea once daily.
●    You can also take this herb in the form of tincture (two to six ml per day). Furthermore, a combination of bugleweed, motherwort and lemon balm is highly effective in treating hyperthyroidism naturally.

Lemon Balm
Lemon balm can help regulate an overactive thyroid by reducing TSH levels. It contains flavonoids, phenolic acids and other useful compounds that regulate the thyroid. Lemon balm blocks the action of antibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland and cause a common form of hyperthyroidism of Graves’ disease. Drink lemon balm tea to restore your thyroid activity to a healthy level.
●    Add two tablespoons of lemon balm to one cup of boiling water.
●    Let it steep for about five minutes.
●    Strain and drink this tea 3 times a day.

Motherwort
This herb acts as a natural beta-blocker and helps control tachycardia and palpitations. This also has anti-thyroid action which makes it even more advantageous for those suffering from hyperthyroid conditions.
●    One-half teaspoon of motherwort must be steeped in one cup of boiling water for at least five minutes. Strain and cool. Drink this tea three times daily.

Broccoli
Broccoli is an isothiocyanate and goitrogen which help inhibit the overproduction of hormone by the thyroid. Other cruciferous vegetables that may be helpful are brussel sprouts, cauliflower, rutabaga, turnips, kohlrabi, kale, mustard greens, and radishes.

Soy products
Protein-based foods are suitable for those suffering from hyperthyroidism. Thyroid hormones are being transported by proteins to different body tissues. Moderate concentration of soy sterols can help improve hyperthyroidism. Include nuts, quinoa, eggs, farmed fish, and legumes in your diet if you are not fond of soy products.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Hormonal imbalance can happen if you do not consume enough fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are the building blocks for hormones that control immune function and cell growth, and also help improve the ability to respond to thyroid hormones. Fish, grass-fed animal products, flaxseeds, and walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Sea Vegetables
Sea vegetables are a good source of iodine which is an important element for thyroid health. The natural iodine present in sea vegetables can normalize thyroid-related disorders like obesity and lymph system congestion. These vegetables also contain a good amount of vitamin K, B-vitamin folate, magnesium, iron and calcium.