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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffOnce you begin treatment, symptoms of hyperthyroidism should subside and you should start feeling much better. The following suggestions also may help:
- Ask your doctor about supplementing your diet. If you've lost a great deal of weight or experienced muscle wasting, you may benefit from adding extra calories and protein to your diet. Your doctor or a dietitian can help you with meal planning. In most cases, you won't need to continue supplementing your diet once your hyperthyroidism is under control.
- Maintain an adequate intake of calcium. Because hyperthyroidism may contribute to thinning bones, it's important to get enough calcium every day to help prevent osteoporosis. Adults younger than 50 should aim for a total of 1,000 milligrams daily, either from food or from supplements or from both. Adults older than 50 should get 1,200 milligrams of calcium every day. Ask your doctor about taking vitamin D supplements along with the calcium.
Graves' ophthalmopathy
If you have Graves' ophthalmopathy, the following suggestions may help soothe your eyes or skin:
- Apply cool compresses to your eyes. The extra moisture may provide relief.
- Wear sunglasses. When your eyes protrude, they're more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays and more sensitive to sunlight. Wearing sunglasses helps protect them from both sun and wind.
- Use lubricating eyedrops. Eyedrops may help relieve dryness and scratchiness. Be sure to use eyedrops that don't contain redness removers.
- Elevate the head of your bed. Keeping your head higher than the rest of your body reduces blood flow to your head and may help relieve the pressure on your eyes.
- Try over-the-counter creams for swollen skin. Over-the-counter creams containing hydrocortisone or triamcinolone may help relieve red, swollen skin on your shins and feet. For help finding these creams, talk to your pharmacist.
