Side effects of thyroid medications

This is an automatically translated article.

The thyroid gland is an important endocrine gland of the body, so any abnormality of the thyroid gland is a sign of a certain disease. In the process of using thyroid medication often leaves some unwanted side effects, patients should pay attention to ensure their own health status.

1. Some thyroid diseases in patients

Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by insufficient secretion of the hormone thyroxine, causing the underactive thyroid gland. Symptoms of the disease are very vague and unclear, very easily confused with some other diseases. In the absence of early detection for treatment, it will cause many negative health complications. With proper treatment, many people recover, but in some cases have to live with the disease for the rest of their lives.
Hyperthyroidism The cause of hyperthyroidism is an increase in the hormones thyroxine , triiodothyronine. This is also a benign disease if detected and treated early, prolonging the disease is not beneficial to your health.

Thyroid cancer A malignant thyroid disease with manifestations as the thyroid gland enlarges in a short time, surrounded by many abnormally raised lymph nodes. Depending on the extent of the disease, the patient will be treated by different methods such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
Benign thyroid tumor The most benign disease of the thyroid gland, it is difficult to detect because the symptoms of the disease are not clear and do not affect the patient's life.

2. Some side effects when using drugs to treat hypothyroidism

The drug used to treat hypothyroidism is levothyroxine, used for all causes of hypothyroidism, can be used for all subjects including pregnant women. Except for one case, it was transient hypothyroidism due to subacute thyroiditis. Levothyroxine is also used in the treatment of goiter alone, preventing tumor growth. In addition, the drug is also used when the patient has thyrotoxicosis to prevent hypothyroidism.
Using Levothyroxine drug, you must be very careful with some of the following subjects:
High hormone levels when using the drug. Have a history of heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes. Decreased adrenal gland. Use levothyroxine as directed by your doctor for best results. However, in the process of using the drug will cause some unwanted side effects.

Some unwanted side effects of the drug:
Rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of lips/face/tongue/throat. Shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, nausea, fever, heat intolerance. Dizziness, blurred vision, dizziness, hip/knee pain, severe headache, convulsions. Abdominal pain, change in appetite, paranoia, depression, anxiety and restlessness, unusual weight loss.

3. Some side effects when using drugs to treat hyperthyroidism

Antithyroid drugs are commonly used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, especially in the treatment of autoimmune disorders basedow. Before considering the use of radioactive iodine or surgery, the patient will be actively treated with antithyroid drugs. In the United States, there are two drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism: PTU (propylthiouracil) and Tapazole (methimazole). Besides preventing the thyroid gland from producing too much hormone, the drug also leaves some unwanted side effects.
Using synthetic antithyroid drugs has the advantage of preventing hyperthyroidism without destroying the thyroid gland. The vast majority of cases will respond well to medication and will recover quickly. However, these two drugs to treat hyperthyroidism often cause some dangerous side effects to health. Liver damage can occur, although very rare, but patients cannot be subjective and disregard.
PTU is the most damaging drug, so it is only indicated in cases where the patient is intolerant to tapazole. The use of PTU is also a priority for those who do not have liver and kidney disease. In addition, both drugs increase the risk of infection.

Common side effects when using drugs to treat hyperthyroidism:
Manifestations of itching, rash, fever and hair loss. Numbness, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, heartburn, nausea.
This is also the reason why you should not use anti-hyperthyroidism drugs for more than 18 months. If drugs are not effective, other methods such as radiation therapy or surgery will be considered.
Treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism with drugs is the most common measure, only when it is not effective can other therapies be used. However, in the process of using thyroid medications, there will be unwanted side effects, patients should not be too worried but need to calmly handle them.
For side effects caused by thyroid medication, the patient should report it to the doctor to receive the most appropriate advice and solution.
Setting the goal of bringing healthcare quality according to international standards, since its establishment, Vinmec International General Hospital system has always focused on developing clinical pharmacy, coordinating support with specialties, contribute to the most effective treatment for the patient. With the patient-centered model, pharmacists actively participate in the multidisciplinary care team (doctors - pharmacists - nurses) with specific clinical pharmacy activities and services:
Interview history of drug use, control of drugs used by the patient before hospital admission; Pharmacovigilance activities include: Management of adverse drug reactions (ADRs); Medication Error Management (ME) As a result, the patient's drug treatment process at Vinmec is always guaranteed to be transparent and consistent.

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