Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that releases a hormone involved in regulating the body’s energy and metabolism.
An overactive thyroid gland causes elevated levels of thyroid hormones, which can affect the entire body and, among other symptoms, can result in dizziness, fluctuations in weight, feeling hot, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and fatigue. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is more likely to occur in women, especially those over 60 years old. A timely diagnosis of an overactive thyroid is imperative to stabilize the condition and prevent future complications.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that releases a hormone involved in regulating the body’s energy and metabolism.
An overactive thyroid gland causes elevated levels of thyroid hormones, which can affect the entire body and, among other symptoms, can result in dizziness, fluctuations in weight, feeling hot, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and fatigue. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is more likely to occur in women, especially those over 60 years old. A timely diagnosis of an overactive thyroid is imperative to stabilize the condition and prevent future complications.
1. Graves’ disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease where the immune system sees part of the thyroid as a foreign body, like a bacteria or virus, and makes an antibody to combat it. Graves’ disease normally affects women between the ages of 20 and 40 years.
2. A toxic nodule or toxic multinodular goiter
A toxic nodule or toxic multinodular goiter is another cause of hyperthyroidism due to inappropriate thyroid hormone secretion. As women age, they are more likely to suffer from a toxic nodule or toxic multinodular goiter.
3. Thyroiditis
Often, hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland becomes inflamed, and the stored thyroid hormone is released immediately.
This condition is called thyroiditis. Thyroiditis is a transient condition that resolves on its own or can lead to hypothyroidism.
4. Other causes
Other causes of hyperthyroidism include excessive intake of thyroid hormone, excessive intake/exposure to iodine, abnormal secretion of TSH, and rarely tumors in the testes or ovaries.
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
It is important to remember that in the very early stages of hyperthyroidism, often called subclinical hyperthyroidism, a person may not have any noticeable symptoms at all, or they may be very subtle and nonspecific.
- Fatigue or muscle weakness
- Insomnia
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
- Weight loss
- Nervousness or irritability
- Diarrhea or more frequent loose stools
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Mood swings
- Hand tremors
- Profuse sweating
- Twitching in the face and limbs
- Fragile nails that may become loose
- Red palms
- Protruding eyes, in some cases
- Changes in the menstrual cycle or irregular menstruation
- Fine, brittle hair and hair loss
- Skin thinning
- Goiter, which involves an enlarged thyroid gland that gives a swollen appearance to the neck
How Is Hyperthyroidism Treated?
The best treatment option for hyperthyroidism depends on the cause and severity of the hyperthyroid state. The standard treatment methods are as follows.
1. Radioactive iodine
Radioactive iodine is used to curb the excessive production of hormones by destroying the thyroid gland.
It may take up to 6 months to see the full effect of the treatment. This will result in hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), in most cases requiring thyroid hormone supplementation. Rarely, a second treatment dose may be needed.
2. Medications
Two oral medications for hyperthyroidism are available, namely, methimazole and propylthiouracil (PTU). These medications interfere with how the thyroid makes the thyroid hormone.
3. Surgery/thyroidectomy
Surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) is sometimes recommended. Occasionally, just the overactive/hyperfunctioning nodule or one thyroid lobe is removed. In other cases, subtotal or total thyroidectomy is performed.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, permanent hypothyroidism may result, requiring lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation.
