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Hyperthyroidism: Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
- The evaluation begins with a medical history and a physical examination.
- Blood testing to measure the blood levels of thyroid hormones
will diagnose the condition.
- Once hyperthyroidism has been diagnosed,
further testing can determine the underlying cause. This may include
further blood tests, thyroid scans, or ultrasound.
Treatment
- Initial drug therapy often uses a beta–blocker to decrease symptoms
of the disease. Additional drugs that are commonly used include propylthiouracil or
methimazole, which decrease thyroid hormone production.
- The definitive
therapy is radioactive iodine to destroy part of the overactive
thyroid. This is the most commonly used treatment and has excellent
success rates. However, it cannot be used during pregnancy.
- Surgical
removal of the thyroid (thyroidectomy) is also an effective treatment.
It is often recommended in hyperthyroid patients who have a large
goiter.
- Lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation will be necessary after
these treatments.
- Treatment of thyroid storm is generally similar
to that for hyperthyroidism, but with closer monitoring and higher
medication doses. Patients should be hospitalized, usually in an
intensive care unit.
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