Overactive Thyroid
Hyperthyroidism
What Is Hyperthyroidism?
You can find your thyroid just below your Adam’s apple. This butterfly-shaped gland sits at the base of your neck and produces hormones that control your metabolism, or how your body uses energy. When your thyroid produces too much of these hormones, you have a condition called hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid.
What Causes Hyperthyroidism?
The most common cause is Graves’ disease, a type of autoimmune disorder that causes your thyroid gland to produce too much hormone. While Graves’ disease is the most common cause, other reasons for hyperthyroidism include:
- Thyroiditis can deplete the store of thyroid hormone due to inflammation of the gland.
- Thyroid nodules, which are lumps or growths in the thyroid gland, can produce too much thyroid hormone.
- Consuming too much iodine, a mineral necessary for thyroid hormone production, can trigger hyperthyroidism.
- Taking too much thyroid hormone medication may happen if you have hypothyroidism, a condition in which not enough thyroid hormone is produced.
- Issues with the pituitary gland, which produces thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), when it releases too much of the hormone.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism symptoms can vary. Because an overactive thyroid affects your body’s processes, common symptoms include:
- Changes in menstrual patterns in women
- Enlarged thyroid gland, which can appear as a swelling in your neck
- Frequent bowel movements
- Increased sweating and feeling warm, even in cool temperatures
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
- Rapid heart rate
- Thyroid eye disease, which can cause bulging, redness and puffiness in the eyes and sometimes vision problems
- Tremor in your hands and fingers
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight loss
Diagnosing Hyperthyroidism
A physical exam and blood tests are the two main ways doctors confirm hyperthyroidism. They may also use a radioactive iodine uptake test and thyroid scan.
- Physical Exam - During a physical exam, your doctor will check your neck for an enlarged thyroid gland, look for signs of a rapid pulse and assess your overall symptoms. They will also check for thyroid eye disease.
- Blood Tests:
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH test checks your blood’s levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. High levels can be a sign of hyperthyroidism.
- T3 and T4 thyroid hormone tests measure the actual thyroid hormone levels in your blood. T3 and T4 are the two hormones the thyroid produces. In hyperthyroidism, levels of free T4 and T3 will be high.
- Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test and Thyroid Scan - Your doctor might recommend a radioactive iodine uptake test and thyroid scan test to measure how much iodine your thyroid gland absorbs. You may receive the iodine through injection, liquid or capsule to swallow, or gas. Then, a thyroid scan shows how the iodine is distributed in your thyroid gland, which helps to identify overactive areas. Higher-than-normal absorption may be Graves' disease or overactive nodules.
Treating Hyperthyroidism
The goal of hyperthyroidism treatment is to bring your thyroid hormone levels back to normal. The best treatment for you depends on your overall health, the cause of your hyperthyroidism and the severity of your condition.
Effective treatments include:
- Antithyroid Medications - These medications work by reducing the amount of hormone your thyroid produces. They can often normalize thyroid function within a few weeks to months. However, they may need to be taken for the long term.
- Radioactive Iodine Treatment - This treatment involves taking at least one dose of radioactive iodine, usually in the form of a pill or liquid. The thyroid gland absorbs the radioactive iodine, which then destroys overactive thyroid cells and reduces hormone production. A follow-up dose may be required for 10% of people.
- Beta-blockers - Beta-blocker medications don’t treat the thyroid problem itself but can help manage some of the symptoms, including a rapid heart rate, tremor and anxiety.
- Surgery - In some cases, part or all the thyroid gland is removed in a procedure known as a thyroidectomy.
Complications of Hyperthyroidism
If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to health problems, including heart issues, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Beginning a treatment plan is critical to reducing the risks of hyperthyroidism complications.
Getting Help for Hyperthyroidism
Take the First Step
Treating hyperthyroidism can allow you to live a healthy life. If you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism, schedule an appointment today.