Final answer:
The management of hyperthyroidism can include beta-blockers for symptom relief, antithyroid medications like methimazole to decrease hormone production, radioactive iodine therapy to destroy part of the gland, or surgical thyroidectomy, all of which may require subsequent monitoring and hormone replacement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The management of hyperthyroidism involves several potential steps, depending on severity and symptoms. Initially, beta-blockers are usually prescribed for symptomatic relief of symptoms such as heart palpitations and excessive sweating. Antithyroid medications, like methimazole, are then given to decrease the production of thyroid hormones.
For more permanent solutions, radioactive iodine therapy can be considered, which involves consumption of a pill containing radioactive iodine to destroy part of the thyroid gland. Alternatively, surgical removal of the thyroid gland, called thyroidectomy, may be performed. Importantly, in the case of both radioactive iodine therapy and surgical thyroidectomy, because they create a risk of hypothyroidism, monitoring and potentially supplementing thyroid hormone post-treatment are critical considerations.