A&E at Royal Sussex County Hospital is extremely busy. Please ensure you make the right choice for your care.

Home > Resources > The 3 Different Treatments For An Overactive Thyroid

The 3 Different Treatments For An Overactive Thyroid

Information about the three different treatments for an overactive thyroid

Download and print as a PDF (120kB pdf)

Treatment options

Tablets: Carbimazole, propylthiouracil (PTU)

Cannot use if

You have had a severe reaction to one of these drugs

Advantages

  • Quite quick to work (4-6 weeks)
  • Sudden swings in thyroid hormone level unlikely
  • Painless

Disadvantages

  • 12-18 months course of tablets
  • Thyroid overactivity comes back in 60-70% of patients after treatment
  • 10% risk of rash or other minor side-effects
  • Very rarely stops production of white blood cells.

Radioiodine

Cannot use if

You are breastfeeding or pregnant

Advantages

  • Painless
  • Permanent – low chance of over activity coming back

Disadvantages

  • Slow action (up to 6 months)
  • Tablets may be needed during this time
  • High chance (50%-80%) of permanent thyroid under-activity requiring thyroxine tablets
  • May worsen eye problems
  • Need to avoid prolonged close contact with others for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment

Surgery

Cannot use if

You are unfit for an operation or your thyroid overactivity is not controlled first

Advantages

  • Quick (days)
  • Permanent – low chance of overactivity coming back

Disadvantages

  • Risk of general anaesthetic
  • Low risk of causing hoarse voice or damage to calcium controlling glands
  • Likely to cause thyroid under-activity requiring thyroxine tablets
  • Temporary discomfort
  • Neck scar

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Endocrine specialist nurse 01273 696955 Ext. 64379

Email [email protected]

Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath

Endocrine specialist nurse 01444 441881 Ext. 65660

Email [email protected]

If you have any urgent or emergency questions then your GP can advise you or they will contact the hospital on your behalf.

Patient self-help groups and further information: British Thyroid Foundation.

There is more information about thyroid treatment options available on our website.

Click this link to see all of our thyroid patient information films

This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.

This information is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.

Page last reviewed: