Learn the treatment options for thyroid disorders

Hypothyroidism means that your body is getting too little thyroid hormone. The goal of treatment is to reset this balance, usually through medication. We'll teach you more about the treatment options available.

• If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor will most likely prescribe a synthetic thyroid drug consisting of a single hormone called T4. The body then converts this to an active form called T3. Known as levothyroxine, this medication is available under several brand names. Choose a brand and stay with it. Switching around is not advised, since small differences in potency between levothyroxine products may affect how you feel.
• Some people (typically those who are older) lack enough of an enzyme that's key to the T4 to T3 conversion process. For them, a good alternative may be natural thyroid hormone. This medication supplies both T3 and T4 and requires no conversion of hormones by the body.
• Finally, if you take levothyroxine alone but just don't feel completely well, your doctor may suggest adding a synthetic form of T3 to your regimen called liothyronine. This combination seems to work for select patients.

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that produces a bulge in the neck and can develop in some cases of hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism. If you have a goiter that's interfering with breathing or swallowing, you may need surgery to remove it.

These self-care strategies can be very valuable in managing your hypothyroidism.

• Set a schedule. Some experts say that the ideal time to take your pill is first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before eating.
• Get exercise. Physical activity will stimulate your thyroid gland and promote absorption of the hormone.
• Eat high-fibre foods if you're constipated, but don't overdo it. Too much fibre may inhibit the absorption of thyroid hormone.
• Choose low-calorie foods to promote weight loss, but don't go on a severe diet: too little food lowers metabolism even further.
• Get enough iodine. It's found in iodized salt and foods such as shellfish, seaweed, and saltwater fish. This mineral helps the thyroid function properly.
• Avoid thyroid-fighting foods that contain substances (goitrogens) that interfere with iodine absorption and suppress thyroid activity. These include raw cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage), raw peanuts, and soybeans. You can safely eat this foods as long as you cook them first.

People with hypothyroidism tend to develop elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine. This can be a risk factor for heart disease. Certain vitamins (specifically folic acid and B12) will lower homocysteine levels. Taking a vitamin C and a B-complex capsule can be helpful.

Use this guide to get a better understanding of possible treatment options for thyroid disorders. In the end, it's a combination of medication and lifestyle changes that will work the best, so don't neglect either one.