What type of treatment is typically administered for hypothyroidism?

The treatment typically administered for hypothyroidism is synthetic T4 thyroid hormone. This medication, known as levothyroxine, effectively replaces the deficient thyroid hormone in the body. T4 is the primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland, and it plays an essential role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and overall physiological function.

By providing synthetic T4, the treatment increases the levels of this hormone in the bloodstream, allowing the body's metabolism to return to normal and alleviating the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, weight gain, and depression.

This approach is preferred because T4 can be converted in the body to T3, the more active thyroid hormone, as needed. This flexibility makes synthetic T4 a more effective and practical option for managing hypothyroidism compared to other treatments.

For instance, synthetic T3 hormone is not typically the first-line treatment because it is more rapidly metabolized and does not provide the same long-term stability. Radioactive iodine therapy is used primarily for hyperthyroid conditions, and antithyroid medications work to reduce thyroid hormone production, which is not suitable in cases of hypothyroidism where there is already a deficiency.