The present epidemic of thyroid disease appear to have strong links with 20th century environmental causes, particularly heavy consumption of iodized salt. Our means of testing for thyroid problems are far from accurate, so that many people are being unnecessarily treated and many with subtle thyroid imbalances aren't being seen to.

With hyperthyroidism in particular, the usual solution surgery or radiation is often too quick and dirty, leaving you with a thyroid that no longer works and necessitating a life long dependency on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. In conventional medicine, short term anti thyroid drug therapy appears the safest solution so long as your blood is constantly monitored. There is no evidence that the "block and replace" method of temporarily replacing your hormone production with an artificial one works.Many alternatives have proven success in treating over or underactive thyroid so long as you aren't in a thyroid storm or your gland hasn't been destroyed. In that case, thyroxine replacement is a health saving option. But have the dosage periodically checked and take adequate nutritional protection against osteoporosis. The questions about thyroxine causing osteoporosis make it prudent to save the drug as a court of last resort or for short term use unless you truly need thyroid hormone replacement.