Massachusetts Thyroid Hormone Treatment

According to statistics released by the American Thyroid Association, 20 million Americans suffer from thyroid disease. Furthermore, it has been estimated that over 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition in their lifetime. If you suffer from hypothyroidism or a similar condition, Massachusetts thyroid hormone treatment administered by a Connecticut doctor could get your levels back to a healthy range.

What Is Thyroid Hormone Treatment?

Many individuals have thyroid glands that are unable to produce sufficient hormones to meet their bodies’ needs. This condition, known as hypothyroidism, could stem from a nonfunctioning thyroid gland, pituitary gland, or when the former is damaged by radiation or surgery.

Hypothyroidism is the most common reason that people in Massachusetts seek thyroid hormone treatment from Dr. Edward Jacobson. The purpose of thyroid hormone treatment is to replicate regular thyroid function. Synthetic, pure thyroxine, or T4, works the same way as an individual’s natural thyroid hormones otherwise would.

Thyroid hormones maintain the health of cells throughout the human body. As such, taking thyroid treatment is very different from taking other types of medications because the goal is to replace a missing hormone. A Connecticut physician would monitor a Massachusetts patient’s thyroid function closely when prescribing hormone treatment to ensure that they do not take too much or too little.

Who Could Benefit from Thyroid Hormone Treatment?

Thyroid hormone treatment could alleviate many of the symptoms and issues associated with hypothyroidism, including:

  • Fatigue and loss of energy
  • Dry hair and skin
  • Feeling cold
  • Hair loss
  • Memory loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Moderate weight gain
  • Depression

Following surgery for thyroid cancer, thyroid hormone is necessary to hinder any remaining cancer cells from growing as well as to replace the function of the removed gland. Thyroid hormone suppression therapy is a crucial aspect of thyroid cancer treatment and could help prevent the growth of residual cancer and microscopic thyroid cancer cells. It is critical for a Connecticut doctor to closely monitor a Massachusetts patient’s thyroid hormone treatment and the length of suppression therapy.

Potential Side Effects

Patients typically tolerate thyroid hormone treatment well. When an individual experiences side effects during treatment, this could be due to remaining symptoms of hypothyroidism and high levels of thyroid hormones. Possible side effects include:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Chest pain
  • Intolerance to heat
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia
  • Indigestion
  • Weight loss
  • Headaches

As the thyroid hormone is naturally present in the body, it is safe for women to undergo treatment while pregnant. Women who are already taking thyroid hormone may require a larger dose while pregnant. It is essential to have thyroid hormone levels checked once a woman becomes aware of her pregnancy.

Determining Dosage

When a Massachusetts patient first starts thyroid hormone treatment, Dr. Jacobson will carefully prescribe the dose based on factors such as their age, weight, and any preexisting medical conditions. He will also adjust the dosage as needed to ensure the thyroid continues to function at an optimal level.

There are multiple synthetic hormone brands available, and all of them contain the identical synthetic T4 hormone. However, each brand features different inactive ingredients, so it is usually best to stay with the same brand name. If a change is necessary, the patient must inform their doctor so their thyroid function can be re-evaluated.

Contact a Physician for More Information About Massachusetts Thyroid Hormone Treatment

Learn if you qualify for Massachusetts thyroid hormone treatment and find out more about how it could improve your quality of life. Medical advice from a skilled Connecticut doctor is just a phone call away. Reach out today to discuss your treatment options and to see if this approach is right for your healthcare needs.