You'll likely start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. In some cases, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the body's hormone-secreting glands endocrinologist.
Infants with hypothyroidism need immediate referral to a pediatrics endocrinologist for treatment. Children or teens need to see a pediatric endocrinologist if there is any uncertainly about starting levothyroxine or proper dosing of the hormone.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor. Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
For hypothyroidism, some basic questions to ask include:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.
This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis In general, your doctor may test for an underactive thyroid if you are feeling increasingly tired, have dry skin, constipation and weight gain, or have had previous thyroid problems or a goiter. Blood tests Diagnosis of hypothyroidism is based on your symptoms and the results of blood tests that measure the level of TSH and sometimes the level of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. More Information Hypothyroidism diet Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment?
Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements? Soy: Does it worsen hypothyroidism? Show more related information. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Coconut oil: Can it cure hypothyroidism? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Sugar and processed foods can lead to increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation can slow down the conversion of T4 to triiodothyronine, or T3 , another thyroid hormone. This can make your symptoms and thyroid disease worsen.
Also, sugar only boosts your energy level in the short term, eliminating it from your diet may help regulate your energy levels. Additionally, removing sugar from your diet may help your stress levels and skin.
Taking a vitamin B supplement may help you repair some of the damage hypothyroidism caused. Vitamin B can help with the tiredness thyroid disease can cause. The disease also affects your vitamin B-1 levels. You can add more B vitamins to your diet with the following foods:.
Vitamin B is generally safe for most healthy individuals at recommended levels. Talk with your doctor about how much vitamin B may be right for you.
The NIH studied the link between hypothyroidism and small intestine problems. It was found that altered gastrointestinal GI motility commonly seen with hypothyroidism can cause small intestinal bacterial overgrowth SIBO and ultimately lead to chronic GI symptoms, such as diarrhea.
Antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine, and surgery are all effective treatments and can restore thyroid function to normal. However, the thyroid stimulating antibodies may return causing the Graves disease to relapse.
There are self-limited thyroid disorders, such as post-partum thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis, where no therapy is necessary after the disorder runs its course see Thyroiditis brochure. 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.
The dose of radiation used during radioactive iodine treatment is very low, but there are some precautions you'll need to take after treatment:. Radioactive iodine treatment is not suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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