Guide

Hypothyroidism is easily treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Most often the doctor prescribes levothyroxine sodium. This is a synthetic thyroid hormone. The medication is available in tablet form, and is taken once a day, every day, usually for life.

As the body's need for thyroid hormone may change, the physician should monitor thyroid function in a hypothyroid patient regularly, and adjust the dose of levothyroxine sodium according to the patient's current needs.

As far as possible patients are advised against changing the particular brands they have started on. Often, change of brand alters the quantity of active ingredient received by the body. It is best to consult your doctor before you change your brand.

New borns with congenital defects need to be treated for thyroid disorders immediately to prevent mental deficiency, poor growth and abnormal development.

Women who have hypothyroidism before becoming pregnant may need to increase their dosage during pregnancy as per medical advice. In very rare cases women develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy. and need to be treated with full replacement therapy to reduce the risk of still-birth. In any of such cases monitoring of hormone levels is very crucial.

In summing up, Thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland situated near the 'throat'. It is responsible for the production of those hormones that virtually influences every body organ. Which means, neglecting the thyroid would mean asking for trouble. Hypothyroidism is completely curable. The patient is supposed to take proper medications in the prescribed dosage for life time. But people with hypothyroidism , under proper medical care and attention lead a perfectly normal life.