“Can hyperthyroidism be fixed?”
My daughter was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Can hyperthyroidism be fixed?
2 Answers
Depends on the cause
Hyperthyroidism can be treated but not absolutely cured. Depends a bit also on the reason for the hyperthyroidism in the first place. Most commonly from an autoimmune "attack" called Grave's Disease and the treatment is then usually a thyroid blocking pill. Sometimes there is a nodule or cyst causing the problem and then surgery may be required which would "cure" the hyperthyroidism itself. If too much of the gland is removed or if the cysts or nodules are especially large, then removal of the hyperthyroid source would result in hypothyroidism which needs to be treated with thyroid pills forever. Hyperthyroidism should usually be evaluated by a thyroid specialist such as an endocrinologist, pediatric endocrinologist for kids and adolescents and adult endocrinologist for adults who would order specific thyroid blood tests and consider thyroid scans, ultrasounds or other imaging for making a proper diagnosis. Stuart Brink, MD Senior Endocrinologist, New England Diabetes & Endocrinology Center (NEDEC) c/o NEDEC, 196 Pleasant Street, Newton Centre MA 02459-1815, USA phone 1-781-572-4533, e-mail: stuartbrink@gmail.com
