How long does hyperthyroidism medication take to work

The amount of TSH is important because it's the hormone that signals your thyroid gland to produce more thyroxine. These tests are particularly necessary for older adults, who may not have classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid blood tests may give false results if you're taking biotin — a B vitamin supplement that may also be found in multivitamins. Let your doctor know if you are using biotin or a multivitamin with biotin. To ensure an accurate test, stop taking biotin at least 12 hours before blood is taken.

If blood tests indicate hyperthyroidism, your doctor may recommend one of the following tests to help determine why your thyroid is overactive:.

Radioiodine uptake test. For this test, you take a small, oral dose of radioactive iodine radioiodine to see how much will collect in your thyroid gland. You'll be checked after four, six or 24 hours — and sometimes after all three time periods — to see how much iodine your thyroid has absorbed.

A high uptake of radioiodine indicates your thyroid gland is producing too much thyroxine. The most likely cause is either Graves' disease or hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules. If you have hyperthyroidism and your radioiodine uptake is low, this indicates that the thyroxine stored in the gland is leaking into the bloodstream, which may mean you have thyroiditis. Several treatments for hyperthyroidism exist. The best approach for you depends on your age, physical condition, the underlying cause of the hyperthyroidism, personal preference and the severity of your disorder.

Possible treatments include:. Radioactive iodine. Taken by mouth, radioactive iodine is absorbed by your thyroid gland, where it causes the gland to shrink. Symptoms usually subside within several months. Excess radioactive iodine disappears from the body in weeks to months. This treatment may cause thyroid activity to slow enough to be considered underactive hypothyroidism , and you may eventually need to take medication every day to replace thyroxine. Anti-thyroid medications. These medications gradually reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism by preventing your thyroid gland from producing excess amounts of hormones.

They include methimazole Tapazole and propylithiouracil. I don't think I'll have a problem with them. I have a pretty regular kind of life and take vitamins every day, so remembering to take another pill won't make a big difference to me. I took antithyroid medicine for my overactive thyroid about 2 years ago. I had trouble remembering to take the pills every day, and sometimes when I would go out of town to visit my family, I would forget to take my pills with me. Now, my thyroid is acting up again.

I don't want to mess with pills. I worry that I might get some of those side effects from taking medicine. I have decided to take radioactive iodine. I know that I have a risk of hypothyroidism because of this treatment, but I am willing to take thyroid hormone pills if that happens.

My neighbor Geraldo took radioactive iodine for his overactive thyroid gland, and his thyroid gland became underactive. So now he has to take thyroid hormones. I guess I'll just skip the radioactive iodine and take pills.

Besides, my doctor tells me that because of my age I might even be able to stop taking the pills and never have to take them again. That sounds good to me. Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

I'm worried that radioactive iodine will damage my thyroid and I'll have to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of my life. I can live with the damage to my thyroid, because I know I can take thyroid hormone pills to treat it. I don't mind taking pills for a few years to see if that will fix my thyroid problem. I worry more about putting something radioactive into my body than about side effects of antithyroid medicine. I worry more about side effects of antithyroid medicine than about putting something radioactive into my body.

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Which treatment eventually leads to hypothyroidism having too little thyroid hormone in most people? Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Get the facts. Your options Take radioactive iodine. It destroys part or all of the thyroid gland.

Take antithyroid medicine. It lowers the amount of thyroid hormone in your body. Key points to remember Most people will be cured of hyperthyroidism after one dose of radioactive iodine. Common side effects of levothyroxine include DailyMed, :. Serious side effects can occur, especially if the levothyroxine dose is too high.

They mainly involve the heart and may include DailyMed, :. If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical attention right away. Lastly, if you are experiencing any of the side effects mentioned, you should seek medical advice. Your provider can check to make sure your TSH levels are normal and also evaluate you for signs of other medical conditions.

Never stop taking your medications without guidance from your healthcare provider. Last updated October 9, Written by Andrea Peirce. Disclaimer If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider.

What is the thyroid? Vitals Hormone replacement medication can effectively treat underactive thyroid hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine brand name Synthroid is the most commonly used synthetic thyroid hormone replacement. It takes time for your body to adjust to thyroid medication, and it may take weeks for you to feel better after starting the drug—everyone responds differently. Food and Drug Administration FDA has issued a Black box warning for levothyroxine: Do not use thyroid hormones, like levothyroxine, for weight loss or to treat obesity.

Learn more. Illnesses that can cause hair loss: alopecia as a symptom 7 minute read. Related articles. A less common but more serious side effect is a sudden drop in your white blood cell count agranulocytosis , which can make you very vulnerable to infections. Contact your doctor immediately if you get symptoms of agranulocytosis, such as a high temperature, sore throat , or a persistent cough.

They may arrange for a blood test to check your white blood cell count. Radioactive iodine treatment is a type of radiotherapy is used to destroy the cells in the thyroid gland, reducing the amount of hormones it can produce. It's a highly effective treatment that can cure an overactive thyroid. You're given a drink or capsule that contains iodine and a low dose of radiation, which is absorbed by your thyroid. Most people only need a single treatment. It can take a few weeks or months for the full benefits to be felt, so you may need to take medicine, such as carbimazole or propylthiouracil, for a short time.