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Causes
In 70% of the cases, hyperthyroidism results from an autoimmune disorder known as Graves'
disease, a condition in which the body's own antibodies attack the thyroid. This causes it to
produce too much of the hormone thyroxine, which speeds up the body's metabolism in turn.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an overactive thyroid include:
Hand tremors
Diarrhoea
Bulging eyes
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) that can appear as a swelling at the base of the neck
Complications
Hyperthyroidism can lead to a number of complications such as:
Brittle bones (osteoporosis). Excessive thyroid hormones can affect your body's
absorption of calcium into the bones.
Eye problems. Grave's disease can cause protrusion of the eyes as well as sensitivity
to light and blurring or double vision.
Treatment
Treatment options for hyperthyroidism depend on your age, physical condition, and the cause
and severity of your condition. These include:
Anti-thyroid medicine
These drugs gradually reduce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism by blocking the production
of thyroid hormones. Symptoms usually improve within 6-12 weeks of taking the
medication, and this may last for at least a year or longer.
Radioactive iodine treatment
For those who don't respond to anti-thyroid medications, radioactive iodine is taken orally
and absorbed
by the thyroid. Symptoms usually subside within three to six months. This treatment causes
thyroid activity to slow considerably and possibly permanently (hypothyroidism), and you
may have to take thyroid supplements.
Surgery (thyroidectomy)
Removing your thyroid gland as a last resort. Risks include damage to your vocal cords and
parathyroid glands - the four tiny glands located on the back of your thyroid gland that help
to control the level of calcium in your blood. You may need life-long treatment with
medication to keep your thyroid hormone level normal post-surgery. If the parathyroid glands
are also removed, you'll need medication to keep your blood-calcium levels normal.