Western Methods

1. Using Chemical Meds

Thyrostatics (antithyroid drugs), that inhibit the production of thyroid hormones, such as carbimazole (used in UK) and methimazole (used in US), and propylthiouracil. Thyrostatics are believed to work by inhibiting the iodination of thyroglobulin by thyroperoxidase, and thus, the formation of tetra-iodothyronine (T4). Propylthiouracil also works outside the thyroid gland, preventing conversion of (mostly inactive) T4 to the active form T3.

Beta-blockers (Propranolol and Metoprolol) for hear beat controlling

Many of the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as palpitations, trembling, and anxiety are mediated by increases in beta adrenergic receptors on cell surfaces. Beta blockers, typically used to treat high blood pressure, are a class of drug which offset this effect, reducing rapid pulse associated with the sensation of palpitations, and decreasing tremor and anxiety.

2. Taking Radioactive Iodine 131 (RAI 131) to partially destroy the thyroid gland

Western Doctor will ask patients taking Radioactive Iodine 131 when Doctor find the anti thyroid meds can’t control patient’s hyperthyroidism. Patients get recur again and again with anti thyroid meds or patient’s hyperthyroid symptoms becoming worse.

This treatment is the most criticized method. It will cause many serious side effects to patients: Permanence hypothyroidism. The degree of radiation (amount of RAI 131 used) that thyroid should be exposed is in fact difficult to control and based on doctors' experience. The use of RAI mostly causes patients turn from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism. Therefore they have to take thyroid hormone replacement drugs forever. In addition, during the RAI treatment, the other organs or tissues are also exposed to radiation and thus they may be hurt, and therefore many diseases will be resulted in. Patients will feel very uncomfortable with their body and find the function of their organs decay very quickly.

Furthermore, RAI 131 treatment is not suitable to following person:

Babies and Children

Pregnant woman

The lady before who want to have baby later

Patients with bulgy eye

The radioactive beverage may cause the appearance of the cancer after several years, or cause their fetus handicap.

3. Partially or fully remove the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy)

Western Doctor will suggest patients to take thyroid surgery if patients get hyperthyroidism. The reason is removing some part of thyroid gland that can reduce the hormone production in hyperthyroid patient’s body.

3.1 •Total Thyroidectomy – (100%) Complete Removal of the Thyroid

This is the most common type of thyroid surgery, and is often used for thyroid cancer, and in particular, aggressive cancers, such as medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer. It is also used for goiter and Graves'/hyperthyroidism treatment.

3.2 •Subtotal/Partial Thyroidectomy – (50%) Removal of Half of the Thyroid Gland

For this operation, cancer must be small and non-aggressive -- follicular or papillary -- and contained to one side of the gland. When a subtotal or partial thyroidectomy is performed, typically, surgeons perform a bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy which leaves from 1 to 5 grams on each side/lobe of the thyroid. A Harley Dunhill procedure is also popular, in which there's a total lobectomy on one side, and a subtotal on the other, leaving 4 to 5 grams of thyroid tissue remaining.

3.3 •Thyroid Lobectomy – (25%) Removal of Only About a Quarter of the Gland

This is less commonly used for thyroid cancer, as the cancerous cells must be small and non-aggressive.

Sometimes when there is hypothyroid or hyperthyroid, neck will become enlarged. Most of these cases will find goiter, nodule or cyst in neck after taken ultrasound scan. Western Doctors may suggest surgically removed thyroid for cosmetic reasons, or because they are making breathing or swallowing difficulty. However the surgical operation is rather complicated and the thyroid disease will recur if the thyroid is not removed completely. The worst result is that the nerves around the thyroid are easily damaged if the operation is not going well. It causes patients' voice to be hoarse and paralysis. The auxiliary thyroid gland, which is located beside the thyroid and specialized in the metabolism of calcium, is probably injured during the operation. Furthermore most patients still cannot recover after the operation. About 80% of patients will recur. In fact, the side effect for thyroid removal is as serious as RAI treatment. Patients after thyroidectomy need to take thyroid hormone replacement drugs (Thyroxine) forever.

Remind:

Green Life does not recommend patients to take Thyroid Surgery if their nodule / goiter is benign. Since Patients can get nodule / goiter minimization in natural way under TT treatment.