Hyperthyroidism
What is hyperthyroidism?
The thyroid gland, located in your neck, produces hormones that control your body's ability to create and use energy (metabolism). Hyperthyroidism (say: hy-per-thy-royd-iz-um) occurs when the thyroid produces too many of these hormones. This can speed up your body's metabolism by as much as 100 percent.
Signs and symptoms
Hyperthyroidism can mimic other health problems, which may make it difficult for your doctor to diagnose. It can also cause a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including:
- Sudden weight loss, even when your appetite and food intake remain normal or increase
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) — commonly more than 100 beats a minute — irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or pounding of your heart (palpitations)
- Nervousness, anxiety or anxiety attacks, irritability
- Tremor — usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers
- Sweating
- Changes in menstrual patterns
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements
- An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may appear as a swelling at the base of your neck
- Fatigue, muscle weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
What causes hyperthyroidism?
Many things can cause hyperthyroidism. One of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism is Grave's disease, an autoimmune disorder. Your immune system uses antibodies to protect you against disease and infection. But if you have Grave's disease, your antibodies attack your thyroid gland by mistake. This makes it produce too many hormones. This type of hyperthyroidism tends to run in families and occurs more often in women.
Hyperthyroidism can also occur when noncancerous lumps grow in your thyroid gland. These lumps can increase the production of hormones and lead to hyperthyroidism.
Thyroiditis (say: thy-royd-eye-tis) is another possible cause of hyperthyroidism. Thyroiditis is an inflammation of your thyroid gland, and it also leads to an overproduction of hormones. Thyroiditis usually goes away on its own.
How is hyperthyroidism treated?
There are different treatments for hyperthyroidism. Your doctor will help decide which treatment is right for you. Some of the things your doctor will consider are the cause of your hyperthyroidism, your age, the size of your thyroid gland and your overall health.
The following are some possible treatments for hyperthyroidism:
- If you have thyroiditis, your doctor may give you a kind of medicine called a beta blocker. Beta blockers don't reduce your thyroid hormone levels, but they may help you feel better if you have shakiness or a fast heartbeat. You may not be able to take a beta blocker if you have heart or lung problems.
- Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a common, safe and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. This medicine is taken by mouth. It helps reduce the size of the thyroid gland, as well as the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. You cannot take RAI if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, you will need to wait 6 months after treatment with RAI. For 3 days after treatment with RAI, you should double flush your toilet and wash your hands often. You should also avoid contact with young children and pregnant women during this time.
- Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) make the thyroid gland stop producing too many hormones. They include methimazole (brand name: Tapazole) and propylthiouracil. Methimazole is used most often because it is easier to take and causes fewer side effects. Propylthiouracil is safer if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. ATDs usually relieve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in 6 to 8 weeks. Treatment with ATDs usually continues for a year or more, and there's a chance that your hyperthyroidism will come back after you stop taking the drugs.
- Surgery to remove the thyroid gland is an option if your thyroid gland is very large and is pressing on other parts of your neck. It may also be an option if you can't use ATDs.
Credit: National Institute of Health.