I'm 40 years old, and I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism by my doctor just a few days ago. My doctor hasn't discussed the treatment options with me yet. How is this usually treated?
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland cannot produce adequate amounts of hormone to meet needs in the body. The diagnosis is made with special testing (TSH test). Thyroid hormone is replaced with a synthetic 'replica' or by hormone from animal sources. Levothyroxine , also known as T4, is usually prescribed and the body converts it to the active form known as T3. In some cases , we prescribe both active T3 and T4 in combination. This may be the situation in persons who find that their energy level and other symptoms do not improve, even if testing shows that the dose of T4 prescribed is adequate. Your doctor will complete proper testing and monitor your progress on one of these options. They will decide if a brand name product or a generic preparation are the most appropriate for you.
