Thyroid Replacement Therapy

Hypothyroidism which is basically means that the thyroid gland is underperforming is a serious issue. This is basically when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. One of the treatments for this condition is thyroid replacement therapy. The Idea behind theThe motive for such a therapy is to compensate for the hormone which is lacking. There are two types of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4. In most cases you would end up taking a daily dose of T4 medicines orally. It is true that T3 is stronger, yet T4 is considered to be the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. This is because when T4 hormones come into contact with other cells in the bloodstream, they give up an iodine atom to interact with those cells. When T4 loses an iodine atom, it becomes T3. Hence most of the T3 are actually T4 hormones. So, the good part about taking in T4 is that you are allowing your body to do some work on its own, like changing the T4 into T3 hormone. Now it is not so that every patient will have the same type of therapy. Of course the type of therapy will differ from person to person. The body’s reaction o the hormone and how it receives it also plays a very vital role. Taking it inThyroid hormone stays in your body for a long time and so once in a day will suffice. This can alone crate a very stable amount of hormones in your blood stream. The best time when one can take in the medicine is early in the morning on an empty stomach. This is recommended because food in the stomach can have an effect in the absorption of the hormones. It is however important that you take your thyroid medication on time and every day. This will ensure a better result. Also, if you are taking in other medicines then you must consult your doctor regarding the time of medication. This is because other medicines can give rise to complications. EffectThe symptoms of hypothyroidism are very clear. Fatigue, muscle aches, constipations, dry skin, weight gain and sensitivity to cold. These symptoms should disappear if you are taking your thyroid medication diligently. Be careful not to get over dosed or else you will start experiencing hyperthyroidism. The symptoms are chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, sweating, weight loss and headaches. Consult a doctor during such a time.