Recovery & Support for Hypothyroidism

Most people with hypothyroidism need to take a thyroid hormone replacement medication for life. NYU Langone doctors recommend regular follow-up appointments, during which your thyroid hormone levels are tested. This can help to ensure you are receiving the appropriate dosage of the medication.

These visits are also important because they provide you with a chance to talk to your doctor about managing any new symptoms as quickly as possible.

Appropriate management of hypothyroidism is particularly important if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. When the condition is undertreated or untreated, the health of your baby may be at risk and physical and intellectual development of your baby may be affected.

Medication During Pregnancy

If you receive a diagnosis of hypothyroidism while you are pregnant, you should start treatment with the thyroid medication levothyroxine immediately. Levothyroxine is safe for pregnant women to use, but it is important that an endocrinologist or obstetrician monitor your thyroid hormone levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, levels throughout your pregnancy.

If you have hypothyroidism and plan on becoming pregnant in the near future, your doctor can make sure you are taking the right dose of the medication before you conceive. Frequent lab testing and follow-up appointments with your endocrinologist are required when you are trying to become pregnant to monitor TSH levels, because low levels of thyroid hormone may contribute to infertility.

Weight Management

Some people with hypothyroidism may have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. At NYU Langone’s Weight Management Program, registered dietitians can design a customized diet and exercise plan to help you establish healthy habits.