2006-12-17 16:29:31 · 7 answers · asked by kumkum202003 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Most people who take thyroid meds do have to take them forever. However, I also know that annual labs are generally drawn to see it there should be any med changes.
2006-12-17 16:52:51 · answer #1 · answered by Topaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you're on medicine to treat hypothyroidism (ie: levothyroxine):
it's almost certain that you will be taking these medications for life. the only situation I can think of where you would stop taking it is if there was an underlying cause to your hypothyroidism that needed to be treated in the short term and was cured. otherwise, the majority of cases are problems with your thyroid directly that for some reason is not making enough hormones..and in this case you would need to supplement these hormones to ensure proper maintenance of your body and health (you may remember symptoms of having low thyroid hormones - fatigue, dry skin, weakness..)
the other scenario is if you're using thyroid medicine to treat hyperthyroidism. there are 2 main medications that you could potentially be on for this (most likely methimizole). what Dr's usually try to do is put a patient on either of the 2 medications for a 6-12month duration. after that, Dr's will usually try to take the patient off of the drug to see if the persons thyroid hormones have returned to normal after therapy. roughly in 3/4 of the patients it works, but in the people in which it doesnt, then there are other options. these include trying another drug, surgery to remove the thyroid or use of radioactive iodine. regardless of which choice, they have all been shown to be effective and safe. Note: opting for surgery or radioactive iodine causes HYPOthyroidism...in which case you'll be on supplements for the rest of your life probably (see first paragraph for details!)
2006-12-18 00:49:18 · answer #2 · answered by petrobomb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mostly Yes....I don't have thyroid any more and I have to take it for life, but before I had it removed they said that either way I would be taking meds for life. It's not so bad. Cheap enough, and once your levels are balenced you don't have to deal w/ thyroid problems anymore.
2006-12-18 00:33:56 · answer #3 · answered by dizzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thyroid hormones helps with metabolism and other functioning in the body.
For people who have hypothyroidism, you'll end up taking thyroid replacement drugs for the rest of your life. But if you have hyperthyroidism, you'll take drugs for awhile and if it isn't helping, the doctor will probably have your thyroid glands removed. Then you'll end up taking thyroid hormone replacement drugs for the rest of your life.
2006-12-18 00:35:44 · answer #4 · answered by Gracie-Poo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't state if the condition was over- or underactive. I am euthyroid after taking Tapazole for seven years and my tests are in the normal range.
2006-12-18 01:06:01 · answer #5 · answered by J W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most doctors say yes and that is what they told me but after a couple of years on it and then my levels were fine and I have never needed it since then.
2006-12-18 00:37:16 · answer #6 · answered by Rx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You are on them because your thyroid gland is on the fritz.
2006-12-18 01:00:50 · answer #7 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋