Thyroid Hormone Therapy

While thyroid replacement pills are given to patients after surgical removal of the thyroid, these hormone pills are also helpful as treatment for papillary or follicular thyroid cancer. Adding thyroid pills to treatment prevents the growth of any thyroid cells that remain after surgery.

Side Effects

There are few side effects to thyroid hormone therapy. Blood tests will tell your doctor whether you are receiving the right dose of hormone. Too much hormone may cause the following:

• weight loss
• hot and sweaty feeling
• fast heart rate, chest pain
• cramps
• diarrhea

Too little thyroid hormone may cause the following:

• weight gain
• feeling cold and tired
• dry skin and hair

Your doctor will monitor the level of thyroid hormone in your blood to ensure that you receive the appropriate thyroid dose.