Treatments for Hyperthyroidism

Treatment and outcomes will depend on your age, the severity of your symptoms, the cause of the hyperthyroidism, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The treatment and management of hyperthyroidism involves anti-thyroidal medications and possibly radioactive iodine or surgery. The goal is to reduce the activity of the thyroid gland and achieve a normal level of thyroid hormone in your body.

Treatment may involve one of the following:

Medications Surgery Other treatments—radioactive iodine

References

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website. Available at: http://www.aace.com/ .

American Thyroid Association website. Available at: http://www.thyroid.org/ .

Metso S, Jaatinen P, Huhtala H, et al. Long-term follow-up study of radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroidism. Clin Endocrinol . 2004:61:641-648.

Pearce EN. Diagnosis and management of thyrotoxicosis. Brit Med J . 2006;332:1369-1373.

Thyroid Foundation of Canada website. Available at: http://www.thyroid.ca/ .

Revision Information

Reviewer: Kim Carmichael, MD
Review Date: 11/2012
Update Date: 11/26/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.