Hyperthyroidism Slideshow Pictures Take the Thyroid Disorder Quiz Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Stephanie L Lee, MD, PhD, FACE

Coauthor:

Sonia Ananthakrishnan, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Therapies to Decrease Thyroid Hormone Levels:

Antithyroid Medications

• Methimazole (Tapazole)
• Propylthiouracil (PTU)

• Effect: Decreased thyroid hormone production
• Indications:
• Hyperthyroidism from multiple causes
• Low doses of methimazole (<10-15mg/day) are safe in pregnancy or postpartum in a woman breastfeeding
• Elderly persons or cardiac patients requiring 'pretreatment' with antithyroid medications before radioiodine therapy
• Risks :
• Skin rashes, agranulocytosis (compromised immune system), and hepatitis
• Increased risk of liver failure. FDA black box warnings restricts use of PTU to those patients who cannot tolerate methimazole or are in the first trimester of pregnancy.