An overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, occurs when the thyroid---a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck---produces too much thyroid hormone. Common causes of hyperthyroidism include Grave's disease, thyroiditis, multimodal goiter, toxic adenomas and medications. The chosen remedy for an overactive thyroid, defined as a therapy to reduce pain or provide a cure, depends upon the cause of the condition, the extent of the symptoms, the presence of other conditions and the effectiveness of any previous treatments.
Beta Blocker Medications
Patients experiencing the symptoms of tremor, heart palpitations, heat intolerance and nervousness can benefit from taking medications known as beta-adrenergic blockers, or beta blockers. Beta blockers, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia and chest pain, block the hormone adrenaline from binding to receptors, therefore slowing down the heart and reducing blood pressure. Beta blockers, such as propranolol, do not directly affect the thyroid or decrease the amount of thyroid hormone produced; they only reduce associated symptoms. This remedy provides relief for temporary hyperthyroidism such as medication-induced hyperthyroidism, or can accompany other forms of treatment.
Anti-Thyroid Drugs
Anti-thyroid medications prevent the thyroid from producing excess amounts of thyroid hormone. These medications, such as propylthiouracil and methimazole, begin to improve symptoms in 6 to 12 weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Continuing to take the medications can induce remission and provide a permanent cure for some patients. Approximately 60 percent of patients who take the medication for two years experience remission, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Radioactive Iodine
The only cells in the body with the ability to absorb iodine are thyroid cells. Because of this, along with its low cost, ease of administration and safety, radioactive iodine remains the treatment of choice for most cases of overactive thyroid. Radioactive iodine absorbed by thyroid cells damages or kills the cells, inhibiting them from producing thyroid hormone. The noticeable effects of this remedy typically occur in about three to six months, according to the Mayo Clinic. Treatment with radioactive iodine often leads to hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, requiring long-term treatment with levothyroxine to replace the necessary level of thyroid hormone.
Surgery
For patients unable to tolerate anti-thyroid medications and who choose not to receive radioactive iodine treatments, the thyroid can be surgically removed in a procedure known as a thyroidectomy. Removing the entire thyroid gland can damage the vocal cords and parathyroid glands and requires life-long treatment with artificial thyroid hormones. Therefore, many doctors prefer to perform a subtotal thyroidectomy, which preserves a portion of the thyroid tissue. This procedure reduces the incidence of resulting hypothyroidism to 25 percent; approximately 8 percent of patients will continue to exhibit hyperthyroidism, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
