If your thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are high, it most likely indicates that your thyroid gland is underactive. In the medical world, this health condition is known as hypothyroidism and generally occurs when your body doesn't produce enough hormones to control important metabolites or chemicals that are processed throughout your body. Some of the common symptoms that accompany hypothyroidism are fatigue, depression, weight gain, and reduced appetite. If not treated promptly, hypothyroidism can lead to obesity, heart disease, and joint pain. Patients with hypothyroidism have an obligation to lower their thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. To do this, try taking thyroid medication as directed by your doctor, as well as changing your lifestyle and diet.
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Method 1 of 2: Taking Thyroid Drugs
Step 1. Check thyroid stimulating hormone levels
If you experience some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism such as constipation, vocal cord abnormalities, and fatigue, contact your doctor immediately to get a proper diagnosis. Generally, after that the doctor will perform a blood test to determine the level of activity of your thyroid gland.
Step 2. Ask your doctor to prescribe thyroid medication
In fact, taking a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine is the safest and most trusted way to lower thyroid-stimulating hormone levels due to hypothyroidism. These oral medications are available at various pharmacies and can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. Generally, patients should take it once a day to improve hormone levels and relieve symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- After taking the drug, your health should feel better within 3-5 days. Generally, the effectiveness of the drug will reach the maximum level after being consumed regularly for 4-6 weeks.
- Always follow the dosage instructions given by your doctor. Do not increase the dose yourself for any reason!
- Generally, thyroid medication must be taken for life to keep your thyroid-stimulating hormone levels low. Fortunately, however, thyroid medications are usually inexpensive. After all, you can also ask your doctor for help in drawing up a more specific and accurate budget.
Step 3. Understand the side effects of thyroid medication
In fact, taking excessive doses of thyroid medication can drastically increase thyroid hormone levels in the body. As a result, the body will feel various negative side effects. If this is the case, your doctor will change the dose of the drug and adjust it to your body's needs. In some cases, doctors also prescribe drugs that are not well received by the patient's body. If your body exhibits an allergic reaction to levothyroxine such as hives, difficulty breathing, and/or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, call your doctor immediately. Also call your doctor if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Increased or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain and/or difficulty breathing
- Fever, feeling hot, and/or sweating excessively
- Feeling cold
- Feeling tired, weak, and/or having trouble sleeping
- Irritability, depression, or memory loss
- Muscle ache
- Dry skin, dry hair, or hair loss
- Changes in menstrual pattern
- Vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and/or weight changes
Step 4. Avoid certain supplements while taking thyroid medication
Understand that calcium and iron supplements can affect your body's ability to absorb thyroid medications. In addition, you should not take thyroid medications at the same time as medications containing cholestyramine and/or aluminum hydroxide.
- If you are taking other medications or supplements, be sure to share this information with your doctor before starting thyroid medication.
- Generally, thyroid medications are most effective when taken on an empty stomach (or about 30 minutes before a meal).
Step 5. Take “natural” thyroid medications with caution
“Natural” thyroid replacement drugs are generally derived from animal thyroids, especially pork. In fact, you can easily buy these drugs as dietary supplements in various online stores. However, understand that most likely, these drugs have not yet received a distribution permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). Therefore, do not buy or take natural thyroid medications that are not prescribed or recommended by a doctor.
- These alternative natural medicines can be consumed in the form of extracts or flour.
- If you want, ask your doctor about the possibility of taking Armor Thyroid or natural thyroid extracts that can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription.
Step 6. Monitor the effectiveness of the drug on your health
Check your health regularly to make sure the medications you are taking are working to lower your thyroid stimulating hormone levels. In certain cases, the doctor may change the dose of the drug after two or three months to make sure your hormone levels are adequate.
After taking the right dose of medicine for a month or two. Your health and energy should improve. In addition, your appetite and weight should also increase
Step 7. Check thyroid stimulating hormone levels annually
Try scheduling yearly hormone tests with your doctor to make sure your thyroid-stimulating hormone levels stay within normal limits. In addition, doctors actually need to do annual checks to make sure the drugs they give are working properly in your body.
- If you have recently taken a new dose of levothyroxine, it is likely that the frequency of hormone tests will need to be increased.
- Generally, taking thyroid hormone replacement drugs is a lifelong obligation for hypothyroidism patients. Even though the body feels better, usually the patient is still not allowed to stop taking these drugs because the same symptoms can recur at any time.
Method 2 of 2: Changing Diet and Lifestyle
Step 1. Eat foods rich in B vitamins and iodine
High-protein foods such as tofu, chicken, and beans, as well as foods high in B vitamins such as whole grains, peanuts, and whole grains should always be on your plate. To balance the nutrients, make sure you also eat fruits and vegetables, especially sea vegetables (such as seaweed) which are rich in iodine. Remember, foods that are naturally high in iodine are very good for your thyroid health.
- Try to eat a variety of sea-grown vegetables such as kelp, nori, and kombu at least once a day. For added deliciousness and nutrition, try sprinkling kelp over lettuce or soup, adding kombu to a plate of legumes or meat, and wrapping any food you eat with nori.
- Add peanuts and seeds to a variety of stir-fried dishes, quinoa, and lettuce.
Step 2. Exercise regularly
You certainly know that exercise is a very powerful method of increasing the body's metabolism and fighting some of the side effects of an underactive thyroid gland such as fatigue, depression, and weight gain. Therefore, try running or cycling every day, or join various classes at the gym. Ideally, your body should be active for at least 30 minutes every day.
If you want to be active while reducing stress levels, try taking a yoga class at a specialized yoga studio or nearby fitness center
Step 3. Make sure your daily intake of vitamin D is maintained
Ideally, keep your arms, legs and face exposed to the morning and/or evening sun for 20-30 minutes. Be careful, vitamin D deficiency has been shown to cause a condition called hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). To prevent this, make sure your body receives adequate intake of vitamin D every day.
Do you live in an area with minimal sunlight? If so, or if you live in a prolonged rainy season, try asking your doctor for recommendations for vitamin D supplements
Step 4. Reduce your stress and anxiety
Make sure your stress and anxiety levels are always within reasonable limits so that thyroid health is not compromised. To reduce stress, try exercising regularly and engaging in relaxing activities such as drawing, painting, or knitting. Also do all the hobbies that can make your body and mind happy.
