What medicine should I take for hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism for short) is a common endocrine disease, mainly characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones. Drugs to treat hyperthyroidism are one of the key concerns for patients. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to introduce the commonly used drugs for hyperthyroidism in detail and provide structured data for reference.
1. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Before introducing drugs, let’s first understand the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
1. Palpitations and rapid heartbeat
2. Weight loss
3. Shaky hands
4. Sweating and being afraid of heat
5. High mood swings
6. Goiter
2. Commonly used drugs for hyperthyroidism
The treatment drugs for hyperthyroidism mainly include antithyroid drugs, beta blockers and auxiliary drugs. The following are specific drug categories and functions:
| drug type | Representative medicine | Mechanism of action | Common side effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| antithyroid drugs | Methimazole (MMI), propylthiouracil (PTU) | Inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis | Rash, abnormal liver function, neutropenia |
| beta blockers | propranolol, metoprolol | Relieve symptoms such as palpitations and hand tremors | Low blood pressure, fatigue, dizziness |
| auxiliary medicine | Iodine, glucocorticoids | For hyperthyroidism crisis or preoperative preparation | Iodine allergy, elevated blood sugar |
3. Detailed comparison of antithyroid drugs
Antithyroid drugs are the core of hyperthyroidism treatment. Here is a comparison of two commonly used drugs:
| Drug name | Applicable people | Usage and dosage | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methimazole (MMI) | Adult and pediatric patients with hyperthyroidism | Initial dose 10-30mg/day, maintenance dose 5-15mg/day | Use with caution in early pregnancy and monitor liver function regularly |
| Propylthiouracil (PTU) | Hyperthyroidism patients during pregnancy | Initial dose 100-300mg/day, maintenance dose 50-150mg/day | Preferred during pregnancy, but be wary of hepatotoxicity |
4. Precautions for drug treatment of hyperthyroidism
1.Regular review: Patients with hyperthyroidism need to regularly check thyroid function, liver function and blood routine to adjust drug dosage and monitor side effects.
2.Avoid stopping medication on your own: The treatment cycle for hyperthyroidism is long, and patients must follow the doctor’s instructions and should not stop taking the medicine or reduce the dosage at will to avoid recurrence of the condition.
3.diet modification: Patients with hyperthyroidism should avoid foods high in iodine (such as kelp, seaweed) and ensure balanced nutrition.
4.Medication during pregnancy: Patients with hyperthyroidism during pregnancy need to choose safe drugs (such as PTU) under the guidance of a doctor, and closely monitor fetal development.
5. Other treatment methods for hyperthyroidism
In addition to medication, hyperthyroidism can be treated with:
1.radioactive iodine therapy: Suitable for patients with poor efficacy or recurrence of drug effects, but may lead to hypothyroidism.
2.surgical treatment: Suitable for patients with obvious goiter or suspected malignant transformation, who need to be fully prepared before surgery.
6. Summary
There are many types of drugs for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, and patients need to choose appropriate drugs according to their own conditions and under the guidance of a doctor. Antithyroid drugs (such as MMI, PTU) are the first choice, beta blockers can relieve symptoms, and auxiliary drugs are used in special cases. During treatment, regular review is required, and attention should be paid to diet and lifestyle adjustments to achieve the best treatment effect.
If you have problems related to hyperthyroidism, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly and never self-medicate. I hope this article can provide you with valuable reference information!
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