You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
1Get the |
2Compare |
3Your |
4Your |
5Quiz |
6Your Summary |
Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. If your hyperthyroidism is not caused by Graves' disease, this information may not apply to you.
When you have hyperthyroidism, your
When you have too much thyroid hormone, all of your body's functions speed up.
Without treatment, hyperthyroidism can lead to:
Your doctor may recommend radioactive iodine if:
Your doctor may recommend antithyroid medicine if:
Compare
What is usually involved? |
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What are the benefits? |
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What are the risks and side effects? |
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
Who would have thought that the symptoms I was having were caused by my thyroid gland? I thought that they were just part of growing older. But after I decided to pay attention and wrote down how I felt and told my nurse practitioner, she did blood tests that showed that I had an overactive thyroid gland. Then she referred me to a doctor for treatment. I have never been a guy who liked to take medicine, so I opted to take radioactive iodine. I like the idea that I only had to take it once and then it was over and done with. Now I take thyroid hormone every day. But it's easy to take, and I just see my doctor once or twice a year for monitoring.
Harry, age 63
Some people tell me that taking radioactive iodine is the best treatment for my thyroid condition. But I don't like the idea of taking something that's radioactive. Maybe I am too cautious. My doctor tells me that the amount of radioactive iodine is so small that it doesn't cause problems. I just can't get past that word "radioactive." I have decided to take antithyroid pills. I don't think I'll have a problem with them. I have a pretty regular kind of life and take vitamins every day, so remembering to take another pill won't make a big difference to me.
Jesse, age 52
I took antithyroid medicine for my overactive thyroid about 2 years ago. I had trouble remembering to take the pills every day, and sometimes when I would go out of town to visit my family, I would forget to take my pills with me. Now, my thyroid is acting up again. I don't want to mess with pills. I worry that I might get some of those side effects from taking medicine. I have decided to take radioactive iodine. I know that I have a risk of hypothyroidism because of this treatment, but I am willing to take thyroid hormone pills if that happens.
Emilia, age 45
My neighbor Geraldo took radioactive iodine for his overactive thyroid gland, and his thyroid gland became underactive. So now he has to take thyroid hormones. I guess I'll just skip the radioactive iodine and take pills. Besides, my doctor tells me that because of my age I might even be able to stop taking the pills and never have to take them again. That sounds good to me.
Penny, age 35
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to take antithyroid medicine
Reasons to take radioactive iodine
I'm worried that radioactive iodine will damage my thyroid and I'll have to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of my life.
I can live with the damage to my thyroid, because I know I can take thyroid hormone pills to treat it.
I don't mind taking pills for a few years to see if that will fix my thyroid problem.
I want to get my thyroid problem taken care of quickly.
I worry more about putting something radioactive into my body than about side effects of antithyroid medicine.
I worry more about side effects of antithyroid medicine than about putting something radioactive into my body.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking antithyroid medicine
Taking radioactive iodine
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Author | |
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Clinical Review Board | All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. If your hyperthyroidism is not caused by Graves' disease, this information may not apply to you.
When you have hyperthyroidism, your
When you have too much thyroid hormone, all of your body's functions speed up.
Without treatment, hyperthyroidism can lead to:
Your doctor may recommend radioactive iodine if:
Your doctor may recommend antithyroid medicine if:
Radioactive iodine | Antithyroid medicine | |
---|---|---|
What is usually involved? |
|
|
What are the benefits? |
|
|
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"Who would have thought that the symptoms I was having were caused by my thyroid gland? I thought that they were just part of growing older. But after I decided to pay attention and wrote down how I felt and told my nurse practitioner, she did blood tests that showed that I had an overactive thyroid gland. Then she referred me to a doctor for treatment. I have never been a guy who liked to take medicine, so I opted to take radioactive iodine. I like the idea that I only had to take it once and then it was over and done with. Now I take thyroid hormone every day. But it's easy to take, and I just see my doctor once or twice a year for monitoring."
— Harry, age 63
"Some people tell me that taking radioactive iodine is the best treatment for my thyroid condition. But I don't like the idea of taking something that's radioactive. Maybe I am too cautious. My doctor tells me that the amount of radioactive iodine is so small that it doesn't cause problems. I just can't get past that word "radioactive." I have decided to take antithyroid pills. I don't think I'll have a problem with them. I have a pretty regular kind of life and take vitamins every day, so remembering to take another pill won't make a big difference to me."
— Jesse, age 52
"I took antithyroid medicine for my overactive thyroid about 2 years ago. I had trouble remembering to take the pills every day, and sometimes when I would go out of town to visit my family, I would forget to take my pills with me. Now, my thyroid is acting up again. I don't want to mess with pills. I worry that I might get some of those side effects from taking medicine. I have decided to take radioactive iodine. I know that I have a risk of hypothyroidism because of this treatment, but I am willing to take thyroid hormone pills if that happens."
— Emilia, age 45
"My neighbor Geraldo took radioactive iodine for his overactive thyroid gland, and his thyroid gland became underactive. So now he has to take thyroid hormones. I guess I'll just skip the radioactive iodine and take pills. Besides, my doctor tells me that because of my age I might even be able to stop taking the pills and never have to take them again. That sounds good to me."
— Penny, age 35
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to take antithyroid medicine
Reasons to take radioactive iodine
I'm worried that radioactive iodine will damage my thyroid and I'll have to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of my life.
I can live with the damage to my thyroid, because I know I can take thyroid hormone pills to treat it.
I don't mind taking pills for a few years to see if that will fix my thyroid problem.
I want to get my thyroid problem taken care of quickly.
I worry more about putting something radioactive into my body than about side effects of antithyroid medicine.
I worry more about side effects of antithyroid medicine than about putting something radioactive into my body.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Taking antithyroid medicine
Taking radioactive iodine
1. Which treatment is more likely to cure hyperthyroidism?
2. When does antithyroid treatment work best?
3. Which treatment eventually leads to hypothyroidism (having too little thyroid hormone) in most people?
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
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Clinical Review Board | All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Current as of: October 2, 2023
Author:
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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