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Overtreating an underactive thyroid
The thyroid gland creates and produces hormones that play a role in many systems throughout the body. When your thyroid makes too much or too little of these important hormones, it’s called a thyroid disease.
And thyroid disease is common.
"We know that about 10% of people have some degree of thyroid dysfunction," says Dr. Juan Brito Campana, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist.
There are several different types of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid; hypothyroidism or under active thyroid; and Hashimoto’s disease, where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disease. Treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone that restores adequate hormone levels.
Levothyroxine is one of the most common prescription drugs in the U.S., but a new study by Mayo Clinic researchers suggests it is significantly overused in people with mild hypothyroidism or no apparent thyroid dysfunction. These results were published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Brito Campana discusses diagnosis and treatment for thyroid disease, and what the research on the overuse of levothyroxine means for patients.
To practice safe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this interview was conducted using video conferencing. The sound and video quality are representative of the technology used. For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
Read the full transcript
For more information, go to the Mayo Clinic News Network and mayoclinic.org.
Connect with others talking about thyroid conditions, and supporting one another in the Diabetes/Endocrine System support group.
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The only test that's out of balance is the high TSH, 58, T3, T4 are low. I will have him check iodine next test. I was taking iodine. The pharmacy agrees with DO on kelp instead of iodine. I will keep you posted. Every time the thyroid specialist increased the dosage I had worse side effects. I posted the side effects. Thank you
PRAYERS
@farmer0233 - I am not taking vitamins for my hypothyroidism; it is a script from my primary care doctor and is called NP Thyroid. Good luck with taking kelp. Hope it works for you.
I wanted to tell you this.......I purchased some lash scrub wipes, foaming eye wash, shampoo and conditioner also that are for mites and the shampoo and conditioner mentions itching. I was losing a lot of lashes. My head has stopped itching, my lashes have stopped falling out. Thank God. I hope it lasts.