| Thyroid medications are normal components of your | | | | get the dosage adjusted. |
| doctor's overall treatment strategy for thyroid | | | | Thyroid medications, like levothyroxine sodium, are |
| conditions. Hyperthyroidism is normally treated with | | | | colour-coded with each colour corresponding to a |
| anti-thyroid medication. If you suffer from | | | | different strength. Different brands may use different |
| hypothyroidism, this means you have a deficiency in | | | | colour schemes. This scheme tends to improve the |
| the T4 thyroid hormone, and your doctor will prescribe | | | | degree of "patient compliance," as pharmacists call it. It |
| the appropriate thyroid medication that replaces the T4 | | | | is far easier for patients to remember colours than |
| hormone missing from your body. | | | | numbers, and they can ask to buy the orange pill |
| A thyroid hormone replacement approach will simulate, | | | | instead of asking for the 112-microgram pill. |
| or replicate, the functioning of a normal thyroid. | | | | The replacement hormone can help shrink, or prevent |
| Levothyroxine sodium, a purely synthetic form of T4, | | | | from growing further, a goitre resulting from |
| works in exactly the same manner as your own | | | | Hashimoto's thyroiditis. If your body does not take well |
| hormone. This thyroid replacement hormone may be | | | | to levothyroxine, it may have difficulty converting T4 to |
| the first-line defense used, but there is no guarantee it | | | | T3 hormone. In such instances, a synthetic T3, |
| fits what your body really needs. If there is need for | | | | liothyronine, may be used but with close monitoring of |
| them, there are other types of hormone available. | | | | the dosage. Too much of it will lead to hyperthyroid |
| For a permanent hypothyroid condition, you will have to | | | | symptoms. In severe cases of hypothyroidism leading |
| take thyroid medication all your life. The dramatic | | | | to coma, aggressive and immediate action is taken by |
| improvement you will observe once your hormone | | | | administering thyroid medication and other drugs |
| levels return to normal will more than offset the small | | | | intravenously. |
| inconvenience of lifetime medication. Given the right | | | | If you are taking other medications, arrange your |
| daily dose of thyroid medication, you can live normally | | | | schedule well for taking them. For instance, multivitamin |
| with your disease effectively held in check. | | | | pills or iron supplements (like ferrous sulphate) need to |
| Although your naturally-occurring hormones are being | | | | be taken two hours after having your thyroid hormone |
| replaced by synthetic ones, there rarely are any side | | | | pill. Iron will make less thyroid hormone available for |
| effects or allergic reactions. Be very observant, though. | | | | absorption by your body. Your doctor can advise you |
| Bear in mind that too high a dosage might lead you to | | | | on the appropriate intervals for taking supplements and |
| develop the classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism. | | | | your thyroid medication. |
| Should that happen, notify immediately your doctor to | | | | |