Hypothyroidism medication can alleviate all sorts of symptoms associated with low thyroid hormone levels. It can resolve some hormone related fertility issues, provide relief for chronic constipation, increase energy levels and even promote weight loss as the metabolism returns to normal. Before giving patients hypothyroidism medication, endocrinologists will run a series of tests.
There are three different types of blood tests that Doctors commonly use to detect thyroid disorders: TSH, Total T3 and Total T4. Patients may request that Doctors run all three since they each check for different hormones. Though levels may appear to be within normal range on one test, levels on the other may reveal problems with the thyroid. If low thyroid hormone levels are detected in these tests and the patient has a goiter, endocrinologists may request that patients obtain a CAT scan to rule out thyroid cancer before prescribing hypothyroidism medication.
After beginning hypothyroidism medication, patients usually begin to feel relief from some symptoms in as little as a week. Patients may start to feel more energetic and may experience relief from chronic constipation. Other symptoms, such as fertility problems caused by low thyroid hormones, may take longer for hypothyroidism medication to alleviate. Full relief of symptoms may take months. During this time, endocrinologists will probably continue to see patients regularly to check thyroid hormone levels as they are changed by the hypothyroidism medication.
If the dosage of the hypothyroidism medication is correct and used as directed, patients should experience no side effects. The hormones are naturally occurring in the human body and the medication is merely supplementing something that the thyroid is not producing enough. However, patients whose dosage of hypothyroidism medication is too strong for them will probably experience many side effects, some of which may be dangerous. Panic attacks, quickened respiration and rapid heartbeat shortly after taking hypothyroidism medication may be an indicator that too much medication is being received in too short a period of time. Sometimes these symptoms may be alleviated by splitting the tablets in two and taking one in the morning and one later in the day. Other symptoms that hypothyroidism medication may be over-compensating include difficulty sleeping and excessive weight loss. Over-compensating with hypothyroidism medication in the long-term can also exacerbate the patient’s condition as the body tries to compensate for the artificial increase in hormone by reducing the natural output of the thyroid further.
Patients that are on hypothyroidism medication need to be careful when taking other supplements. Some supplements, such as Calcium, may be needed if the parathyroid is damaged but may inhibit thyroid uptake if taken shortly before, after or at the same time as the hypothyroidism medication. Other natural supplements, marketed as thyroid support supplements, may actually contain very low doses of thyroid hormone that are appropriate even for patients within the low range of normal. However, these medications may be inappropriate for patients taking prescription strength hypothyroidism medications. Patients should first discuss with their endocrinologist any supplements they are considering for use with their hypothyroidism medication to avoid potential problems.
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