How can hyperthyroidism be treated?
There are three options for treating feline hyperthyroidism: medical management, surgery to remove the thyroid gland(s) and radioactive iodine (131I) therapy.Medical ManagementOral or transdermal antithyroid medications (Tapazole or methimazole) can be used to reduce excessive thyroid hormone secretion. These medications must be given for the rest of the cat’s lifetime. Side effects serious enough to warrant discontinuing using these medicines occur in up to 10 percent of cats taking them and can include loss of appetite, vomiting, liver dysfunction, bone marrow suppression and allergic skin reactions. Hyperthyroid cats being maintained on antithyroid medicines should have regular blood testing (every 4-6 months) for the remainder of their lifetime. A common misconception about medical management of hyperthyroidism is that it’s the least expensive way to treat the disease. Antithyroid medicines will cost $1.50 to $2.50 per day.
Hyperthyroidism can be treated medically, surgically, or with radio iodine. Medical treatment consists of administration of methimazole (Tapazole) one to three times per day. Methimazole treatment will usually control hyperthyroidism but is not a cure (i.e., the drug will block thyroid hormone secretion but will not remove the thyroid tumor), and the drug must be given for the rest of the cat’s life. Surgery will cure the hyperthyroid condition and consists of the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland (the feline thyroid gland consists of two separate lobes). Radio iodine (radioactive iodine) will also cure the hyperthyroid condition. The procedure for this treatment is relatively simple, consisting of a single oral dose.
