How to Treat High Thyroid

High thyroid is the layman's term for hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. An overactive thyroid produces too many hormones, which can lead to a toxicity known as thyrotoxicosis. Hyperthyroidism is often a symptom of Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease. Hyperthyroidism is serious, but there are many treatment options.

Instructions

1

Take drugs to improve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You can take medications if your heart is racing as a result of hyperthyroidism, or you are experiencing other physical side effects. Beta blockers are commonly prescribed for hyperthyroidism. They will increase your metabolism and lessen your symptoms.

2

Get a prescription to target your thyroid. Antithyroid drugs will lessen the production of thyroid hormones. The most common antithyroid drugs in the United States are methimazole and propylthiouracil.

3

Take radioactive iodine. This will kill the active cells in your thyroid. Wiping out these cells can potentially cure hyperthyroidism with a single dose. Avoid this treatment if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

4

Surgically remove some of the thyroid. Because the thyroid is overproducing thyroid hormone, removing some of the thyroid gland will lessen the production of hormones. This procedure was a more common treatment for hyperthyroidism in the past, but it is an option for pregnant women or patients with very large thyroid glands.