iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrlllll ftecdf hslcinfd olidfmdhtlbtktbeAre Medications Lifelong?
I’d like to start off by saying medications are a great tool in the arsenal
available to overcome Hashimoto’s, and they are of tremendous benefit
while we fix the issues contributing to our autoimmune thyroiditis.
Despite the 20 percent spontaneous recovery rate, most physicians tell
their patients supplementation is lifelong. Perhaps it is easier and less
expensive to have someone on pills for life instead of running tests and
attempting to taper down a medication. In some cases, a person might
become hyperthyroid, which necessitates a medication dose reduction.
In other cases, the medication gets built into our physiology due to hor-
monal feedback, and internal hormone synthesis turns off because there
is enough supplemental hormone circulating. If this occurs, a TRH (thy-
roid releasing hormone) test should be done to see if the thyroid function
has recovered.
Lifestyle interventions can also help with reducing TPO antibodies, re-
versing hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, and preventing other diseas-
es—and they make most people feel better. Some may be able to reduce
and eliminate the need for thyroid medications when the autoimmune
attack ceases and the thyroid gland is able to regenerate.
Medications Versus Lifestyle Interventions
For those already taking thyroid supplements, it is crucial never to stop
the medication abruptly. Abrupt cessation can lead to severe hypothyroid
symptoms and cause a rapid escalation of TSH, leading to more thyroid
damage. Gradual tapering of the medication is necessary and should only
be done under the supervision of a physician.
I know that some people refuse to take thyroid medications and feel taking
thyroid medications is like giving up, but that is not the case! Think of medi-
cations as one tool in your toolbox for overcoming Hashimoto’s. We can use
medications to help us feel better while we work everything else out.
Do not think of medications as a life sentence. In some cases, you may be
able to get off them once you fix the “leaks” in your body that are con-
tributing to the autoimmune destruction of the thyroid. If your TSH is
elevated for a prolonged period of time, not taking thyroid medications
can actually be harmful and may hinder your recovery.
If you have an elevated TSH or thyroid symptoms, you may want to
talk to your doctor about thyroid medications. There is no need to suffer
while you search for the root cause of your condition.