A person's thyroid controls his metabolism, and can produce some unpleasant and potentially dangerous effects when the thyroid is hyperactive. A hyperactive thyroid, also referred to as hyperthyroidism, means that the thyroid produces more of its hormones than is needed to oversee the body's functions. Symptoms of hyperthyroid can include a racing heart beat, anxiety, weight loss, hair loss and fatigue. Treatment for a hyperactive thyroid vary depending on the severity of the condition.
Step 1
Take anti-thyroid drugs--propylthiouracil or methimazole are commonly prescribed--so that your thyroid will not produce new hormones. The American Thyroid Association reports that some patients with a hyperactive thyroid may be able to improve their condition significantly by taking such drugs for a year to a year and a half. Patients who have thyroiditis, a temporary inflammation of the thyroid that makes the gland overactive, may only need to take medications for several weeks until the condition resolves itself.
Step 2
Use a beta-blocking drug to treat some of the effects of a hyperactive thyroid, including an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) and hand tremors. Beta-blockers, including atenolol and nadolol, do not affect how much hormone the thyroid produces but stops the thyroid from speeding up metabolic processes in the body.
Step 3
Undergo radioactive iodine treatments, a procedure that is designed to kill off the area of the thyroid that is making too much hormone. Radioactive iodine pills are excreted through urine within days after acting on the thyroid and pose no long-term health threat.
Step 4
Treat a severely hyperactive thyroid that does not respond to non-invasive treatment methods with surgery. In this case, the thyroid is removed completely. After surgery, people who were formerly hyperthyroid must take synthetic thyroid hormone drugs so that their bodies will reach appropriate hormone levels.
Things You'll Need
- Medications
- Radioactive iodine treatments
