Is Thyroid Dysfunction Reversible?

Nearly all thyroid patients at some point ponder whether their condition can be permanently reversed or cured. While there are two major types of thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism is widely prevalent across the world. In hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to satisfy the body's requirements. Here we will take you through what hypothyroidism is, what are its causes and symptoms and if it can be cured completely.

What causes hypothyroidism?

You may have low thyroid hormone production if your thyroid gland is:

• Damaged by drugs or radiation
• Removed surgically
• Damaged due to autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Moreover, the lack of iron or iodine in the diet and chronic stress can also lead to low thyroid activity, resulting in hypothyroidism.

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Symptoms of hypothyroidism

Your thyroid gland influences many functions in your body from weight management to mental development. Therefore, the symptoms may affect those functions adversely. Some of the common hypothyroidism symptoms include:

• Sudden weight gain
• Prominent neck swelling
• Hoarseness of voice
• Intolerance to cold
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Hair fall
• Mental confusion
• Lethargy and body pains
• Constipation
• Depression

How to cure thyroid permanently?

Unfortunately, once you have hypothyroidism, there is no cure. However, it can be treated efficiently with medications and lifestyle changes. A person suffering from hypothyroidism is usually prescribed levothyroxine, a synthetic form of natural thyroid hormone, which helps meet the body's requirements. Since the dose of the medication is decided on the basis of your existing thyroid hormone levels, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor and avoid self-medication.

How to treat thyroid through lifestyle management?

Although lifestyle changes cannot cure thyroid permanently, they have significant effects on hypothyroidism symptoms. Some of these alternative changes include:

• Take an iodine-rich diet such as fish, and dairy products and use iodised salt.
• Reduce sugar intake to reduce inflammation in the body.
• Avoid goitrogenic foods such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli, as they block the function of thyroid hormone.
• Add protein-rich foods such as soy, lentils, and organ meat to your diet.
• Indulge in exercises and yoga to cure thyroid conditions.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol and excess caffeine.
• Quit smoking.

FAQs

1. Can I manage hypothyroidism myself?

No, you cannot manage hypothyroidism on your own. Consult a doctor, if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism or have been recently diagnosed with the condition

2. How is hypothyroidism diagnosed?

The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test is the primary blood test used to identify hypothyroidism. However, other blood tests may also be recommended by your doctor to rule out autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

3. Is there any ayurvedic medicine for the thyroid?

Ayurvedic medicines cannot be used as a replacement for standard treatments due to limited research backing their effectiveness. Consult your doctor before trying any alternative medicines.

4. Can I use the same dose of thyroid medicine throughout life?

The dose of thyroid medicine is adjusted regularly as per the test results. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before increasing or reducing the dose of thyroid medication.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that cannot be reversed completely. However, oral medications along with some lifestyle modifications can help manage the condition effectively.

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Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.