Hashimoto thyroiditis affects 1 to 2 percent of people in the United States. It happens more commonly in women than in males. If left untreated, it can lead to weight gain, constipation, and fatigue.
Since this disease deals with low thyroid hormones, the treatment plan is pretty obvious. With the proper thyroid medication and hormones, you will feel rejuvenated. So, why not keep reading to answer the inquiry “What is the treatment for Hashimoto’s disease?”
Diagnosing Hashimoto’s Disease
To evaluate whether hypothyroidism is the problem, your physician will request a TSH test. When the pituitary detects low thyroid hormones, it sends TSH to make more. A High TSH level in the blood implies hypothyroidism.
To diagnose Hashimoto’s as the cause of hypothyroidism, your doctor will do an antibody test. In this disease, the immune system develops antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO). This will reduce the production of thyroid hormones.
Is There a Cure for Hashimoto’s?
The strategy for treating hypothyroidism focuses on medication to combat hypothyroidism. If you have moderate hypothyroidism, no therapy is necessary. Nonetheless, you should have frequent TSH testing to monitor thyroid hormone levels.
T-4 Hormone Replacement
Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism associated with Hashimoto’s disease. The synthetic hormone functions similarly to the T-4 hormone made by the thyroid.
The therapy objective is to restore and maintain appropriate T-4 hormone levels to reduce hypothyroidism symptoms. This therapy will be required for the remainder of your life.
Dosage Monitoring
Your health care practitioner will calculate a suitable dose of levothyroxine. They will retest the TSH levels around 6 to 10 weeks later to adjust the dose.
After determining the optimal dosage, you will continue to take the drug once a day. Make sure to take it every morning before consuming any food.
Alternative Treatments for Hashimoto
You can learn about Hashimoto’s disease by uncovering alternative treatment strategies. Two main approaches are to alter your diet and take a herbal supplement. These alternative treatments have fewer adverse effects than thyroid medication.
These strategies are beneficial for those who are not responding well to prescription drugs. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Selenium
This condition can deplete the body’s supply of selenium. Supplementing with this trace element has been proven to help patients maintain healthy T4 levels. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate dosage to use.
No-Sugar Diet
Sugar and processed food can lead to inflammation. This process impairs the conversion of T4 to T3. This can exacerbate your symptoms and thyroid condition.
Vitamin B
Thyroid hormone deficiency can reduce your B-12 levels. Taking a vitamin B-12 supplement can replenish your supplies. It can reduce the fatigue associated with thyroid illness.
Probiotics
Decreased gastrointestinal (GI) motility is often associated with hypothyroidism. Probiotics contain microorganisms to help maintain a healthy gut environment.
You can obtain a healthy dose through kefir, kombucha, and yogurt. Keep in mind the FDA has not authorized probiotics for treatment and prevention.
More Info on What Is the Treatment for Hashimoto’s Disease
Anyone with this disease can tell you how difficult it is to concentrate and wake up in the morning. Don’t get us started about gaining weight despite eating healthy and going to the gym. Basically, this condition can destroy your confidence in life.
Fortunately, with Levothyroxine and other alternative therapy, you can get control back in your life. There are a lot of treatment strategies, and we are more than happy to help. Check out our blog posts for more insights on what is the treatment for Hashimoto’s Disease.
