The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland present below the larynx in the throat. It controls the rate of metabolism, i.e., the body’s function of assimilation of the food we eat is the responsibility of this gland. Also, an adequate amount of T4 and T3 hormones are produced by the thyroid gland by absorbing iodine from the food we eat. The thyroid gland monitors how much energy is produced and how it is used, determines the performance of the vital organs in the body like heart rate, breathing, and the functioning of the central nervous system.

The thyroid also regulates body weight and temperature, and controls muscle strength, menstrual cycles, and cholesterol levels. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is controlled by the pituitary gland, transmits instructions to the thyroid gland on how much hormones must be released into the bloodstream. The malfunctioning of the thyroid gland results in thyroid disease. When the thyroid gland produces more than the necessary thyroxine hormones for the appropriate functioning of the body, energy is used much faster than normal and this condition is called hyperthyroidism. Likewise, when fewer thyroid hormones are produced by an under-active thyroid gland, the energy needs of the body are not met and this is called hypothyroidism.

Thyroid disease can be a long-lasting health condition; therefore, setting right the functioning of the thyroid gland is the primary purpose of treating it. To enable the thyroid gland to produce the right number of hormones for the ideal operation of the body systems, treating thyroid diseases is crucial:

1. Radioactive iodine

For treating thyroid diseases like hyperthyroidism, the overactive gland is treated with medications or surgery to reduce its hyperactive behavior and manage its production of hormones to fulfill only the needs of the body. Taken orally, radioactive iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland, which causes it to shrink and slow down the production of hormones. Anti-thyroid medications work the same way to reduce the production of excessive hormones.

2. Surgery

Thyroidectomy is surgery performed rarely to remove a part of the thyroid gland for people who are intolerant toward anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine therapy.

3. Synthetic thyroxine

In the case of treating thyroid diseases like hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroxine tablets work like real T4 produced by the body and augment the level of thyroid hormones by replenishing the required quantity in the body. This procedure is hormone replacement therapy and is one of the most commonly suggested ways of treating diseases like hypothyroidism in women. Deficiency of the trace mineral Iodine in the diet can also cause thyroid imbalance, especially during pregnancy when hormones fluctuate and the requirement of iodine by the body increases. Replacing it with iodine supplements then becomes necessary.

Dosage of medicines and type of treatment to be administered depends on many factors like the age of the patient, the cause of thyroid imbalance, the severity of symptoms experienced, and the current level of TSH in the body. However, like with any illness, proper monitoring of the thyroid hormone treatment by a qualified physician is absolutely essential.