More aggressive types of thyroid cancer, surgery may be followed by RAI treatment to ensure that all thyroid cells are destroyed, called as remnant ablation.

Diagnosis

  • Blood testing

Typically, blood tests include the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test, free thyroxine (Free T4) and free triiodothyronine (Free T3) antibodies testing to diagnose Hashimoto's and Graves' disease, and testing for reverse T3 levels.

  • Imaging tests

A variety of imaging tests are done to further evaluate the size, shape, and function of the thyroid gland. These tests also look at nodules or lumps and evaluate whether or not they are suspicious for thyroid cancer and require further evaluation. These tests include the radioactive iodine uptake (RAI-U), CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound.

  • Fine needle aspiration biopsy

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is done when thyroid nodules are considered suspicious and need to be tested for possible thyroid cancer.

Home Remedies

  • Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has medium-chain fatty acids that help in better functioning of the thyroid gland. Coconut oil, specifically when taken in a non-heated form, helps lose weight, increases metabolism and balances body temperature.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps in the balanced production and expression of hormones. It improves metabolism and helps to alkalize the body environment. Apple cider vinegar helps regulate body fats, wash away toxins from the body, and absorption of nutrients. Apple cider vinegar can be added to water along with honey and can be taken every morning, Recipe tip: Add it to warm water to make atonic, or add it to your herbal tea of choice. For sore throats try apple cider vinegar and honey in warm water, it might give some relief.

  • Ginger

This is one of the easiest home remedies for thyroid as it is easily available. Ginger is rich in essential minerals like potassium and magnesium and helps combat inflammation, one of the primary causes of thyroid issues. It is easiest to have ginger tea. It can also be used as an essential oil. If ginger is mixed with a carrier oil (coconut oil, for example) it can be applied to the body. Ginger oil can also be used via essential oil diffusers. Recipe tip: Throw in a small amount of thinly sliced ginger to your curries and stir-frys, or add it to your favourite baked items like cookies and pastries.

  • Vitamins B

Vitamins help to fight the underlying causes of thyroid problems. Vitamins from the ‘B’ family are essential for proper thyroid function. Vitamin B12 is especially instrumental in helping people with hypothyroidism. Including eggs, meat, fish, legumes, milk, and nut in daily diet might help with a steady supply of Vitamin B. Since the diet may not be able to meet the daily requirements, taking supplements will help. Recipe tip: Make a smoothie from almond milk, a dash of pineapple juice, sliced banana and pineapple, a tablespoon of flaxseeds and enjoy!

  • Vitamin D

The Deficiency of vitamin D can lead to thyroid problems. Since the body can produce it only when exposed to the sun, ensure that you get a minimum of 15 minutes of sunlight daily. This will also lead to better calcium absorption and good immunity.

  • Almonds

Most nuts are beneficial to the body in some way or the other. Almonds are best suited for proper thyroid expression. They are a good source of protein, fibre, and minerals.

  • Dairy Products

Milk, cheese, and yoghurt are very beneficial for the thyroid as they are high in iodine, the mineral that is essential for proper thyroid functioning. Consuming dairy products will also help with increasing vitamin levels which in turn will help with thyroid problems.

  • Beans

Beans are a powerhouse of nutrition. They are rich in fibre, protein, essential minerals and vitamins. Beans are rich in antioxidants and complex carbohydrates. Since beans are also very high in fibre, it helps with constipation which is a common side effect of hypothyroidism.

  • Iodine Supplements

Another thing that works in improper thyroid functioning is taking iodine supplements. This becomes more important for those who are vegetarians. These supplements restore the balance of iodine in the body and help with thyroid health.

  • Regular Exercise

Seaweed is a type of very large algae that grow in saltwater and marshes, it typically contains high to very high concentrations of iodine. Iodine is an essential mineral required by the pituitary gland for the formation of thyroid hormones.

Diet Plan

  • Iodine

Your thyroid needs iodine to make its hormones. Though your body doesn’t make this element, it’s found in a variety of foods, including iodized table salt, cheese, fish, and ice cream. If you eat a normal diet, you shouldn’t become deficient in iodine.

  • Soy

Soy-based foods like tofu and soybean flour are high in protein, low in fat, and rich in nutrients. However, they also contain the female hormone estrogen, which could interfere with your body’s absorption of synthetic thyroid hormone.

  • Fiber

Too much fiber can interfere with the absorption of your thyroid hormone medicine. Current dietary recommendations call for 25 grams of fiber daily for women, and 38 grams for men. Ask your doctor or dietitian how much you should eat each day.

  • Cruciferous vegetables

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage are part of the cruciferous family of vegetables. These vegetables are high in fiber and vitamins, and they may help protect against cancer and other diseases. Cruciferous vegetables have been linked to hypothyroidism — but only when eaten in very large amounts. If you make them just one part of a wide variety of vegetables in your diet, they shouldn’t be a problem.

  • Alcohol

Alcohol doesn’t interact with levothyroxine, but if you drink too much, it can damage your liver. Because your liver breaks down drugs like thyroid hormone to remove them from your body, alcohol-induced liver damage could lead to too much levothyroxine in your system. Check with your doctor to see whether it’s safe for you to have alcohol, and how much you can drink.

  • Gluten

Gluten — the protein found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley — doesn’t directly affect thyroid function. Yet some people with autoimmune hypothyroidism also have celiac disease, a condition in which their immune system mistakenly attacks their small intestine after they eat gluten.

Treatment

  • The most commonly prescribed thyroid hormone replacement drug is known generically as levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine.
  • There is also a synthetic form of the T3 hormone, known as liothyronine, that is sometimes added to levothyroxine for T4/T3 combination treatment.
  • Also, there is a hormone replacement drug called natural desiccated thyroid, sometimes abbreviated NDT or called "thyroid extract." While it has been available for more than a century and is still in use today, NDT is considered controversial by the mainstream medical community.
  • Anti-thyroid drugs (methimazole and propylthioracil): These are medications that stop your thyroid from making hormones.
  • Radioactive iodine: This treatment damages the cells of your thyroid, preventing it from making high levels of thyroid hormones.
  • Beta blockers: These medications don’t change the amount of hormones in your body, but they help manage your symptoms.
  • Surgery: A more permanent form of treatment, your healthcare provider may surgically remove your thyroid (thyroidectomy). This will stop it from creating hormones. However, you will need to take thyroid replacement hormones for the rest of your life
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About Thyroid Treatment