An under active thyroid gland, which is called hypothyroidism or thyroid deficiency, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces insufficient levels of thyroid hormone. The disorder is common, especially in older women, and easily treated, requiring only a simple hormone pill taken once daily, reports MayoClnic.com. People with an underactive thyroid should be checked by their doctor every 6 to 12 months, however, as the dosage required may change.
Synthetic Levothyroxine
The standard treatment for thyroid deficiency is a pill containing levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone, reports MayoClinic.com. Levothyroxine is the same as thyroxine, T4, the major thyroid hormone. Typically, patients are started on a small dose to avoid side effects, reports the Merck Manual.
Natural Thyroid Hormone
Natural forms of thyroid hormone, in a dried form obtained from the thyroid gland of animals, usually pigs, are available. These products contain both thyroxine, T4, and triiodothyronine, T3, an active hormone converted from T4, reports MayoClinic.com. Doctors are wary of these formulations for a number of reasons, reports the MayoClinic.com and the Merck Manual. Most studies show that T3 does not offer added benefit. Also, the amount of hormones varies from batch to batch, causing uneven replacement therapy. Finally, the amount of each of these hormones in animals differs from humans, thus, people are not getting a biologic equivalent to what would be produced by their own bodies.
Aspirin or Antiinflammatory Medicine
If the thyroid is enlarged due to hypothyroidism, people may take aspirin, reports MayoClinic.com. A doctor may also prescribe an inflammatory agent, such as a steroid.
Emergency Treatment
Rarely, people with untreated under active thyroid develop myxedoma, a life-threatening condition that can turn into a coma, reports the MayoClinic.com. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Doctors administer synthetic thyroid hormone—either T4, T3, or both—intravenously, reports the Merck Manual.
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