Is thyroid medicine taken for life?

In most cases, yes. If someone has hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, they will likely need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication for the rest of their life. This is because the thyroid gland is not able to produce the hormones needed to regulate the body's metabolism.

However, in some cases of hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, treatment with medication may only be temporary. For example, if the hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves' disease, which is an autoimmune condition, treatment with antithyroid medication may only be needed for a year or two, after which the patient can be reevaluated.

In any case, it is important to regularly monitor the levels of thyroid hormones and adjust the medication as needed. A doctor should be consulted for the best treatment plan for a particular patient.