Treatment options for Hashimoto's disease: drugs, hormones to surgery

The disease is latent for a long time and can be mistaken for other diseases with similar clinical symptoms. Therefore, a consistent early diagnosis and early initiation of specialist treatment are important.

Experts usually claim that Hashimoto's is incurable and requires lifelong treatment. However, the disease can now be successfully treated. The quality of life of a professionally treated patient is not limited and can live a somewhat full life.

The consequence of Hashimoto's disease is hypofunction of thyroid hormone production. Treatment therefore consists mainly of supplementation with synthetic hormones. This is a hormone called levothyroxine.

The hormone levothyroxine is mainly sold under the preparations called Euthyrox and L-Thyroxine. However, each patient and organism needs different doses of levothyroxine.

When adjusting the dose of a synthetic hormone, the information provided by a repeat laboratory test of TSH levels is used.

Regular check-ups with an endocrinologist and blood tests are needed to monitor thyroid hormone levels.

In the case of associated medical or aesthetic problems caused by goiter (enlargement of the gland), the thyroid gland can be surgically removed in some cases.