Treatment for thyroid disease depends on the cause and the levels of hormone production. Therapy for disorders that cause hyperthyroidism may involve radioactive iodine (to destroy part or all of the thyroid), anti-thyroid drugs, or surgery to remove the thyroid. Sometimes all three of these treatments may be used. If the thyroid is destroyed or removed, the patient will become hypothyroid and will need to take synthetic thyroid hormones.
Treatment for thyroid cancers depends on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Thyroid cancer often requires removal of all or part of the thyroid and may involve radioactive iodine treatment and treatment with thyroid hormones. While papillary cancer is usually easily treated and most cases are cured, the others can be a challenge. In some cases, radiation and chemotherapy are used before and after surgical removal of the thyroid.
Treatment for all types and causes of hypothyroidism is usually straightforward and involves thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
This article was last reviewed on March 9, 2008.
This article was last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
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