Hyperthyroidism

What is
hyperthyroidism?
Highlights
1.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid

overproduces hormones.

2.

Common symptoms include weight loss, weakness,

irregular heartbeat, and difficulty sleeping.

3.

Graves disease, the most common cause of

hyperthyroidism, is more prevalent in women than in
men.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition of the thyroid. The thyroid is a
small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your
neck. It produces tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine
(T3), which are two primary hormones that control how your
cells use energy. Your thyroid gland regulates your
metabolism through the release of these hormones.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid makes too much

T4, T3, or both. Diagnosis of overactive thyroid and treatment
of the underlying cause can relieve symptoms and prevent
complications.

Part 2 of 7: Causes

What causes
hyperthyroidism?

A variety of conditions can cause

hyperthyroidism. Graves' disease, an
autoimmune disorder, is the most
common cause of hyperthyroidism. It
causes antibodies to stimulate the
thyroid to secrete too much hormone.
Graves disease occurs more often in
women than in men. It tends to run in

families, which suggests a genetic

link. You should tell your doctor if your
relatives have had the condition.
Other causes of hyperthyroidism
include:

excess iodine, a key ingredient in

T4 and T3

thyroiditis, or inflammation of the

thyroid, which causes T4 and T3 to
leak out of the gland

tumors of the ovaries or testes

benign tumors of the thyroid or

pituitary gland

large amounts of
tetraiodothyronine taken through
dietary supplements or medication
Part 3 of 7: Symptoms

What are the

symptoms of
hyperthyroidism?

High amounts of T4, T3, or both can

cause an excessively high metabolic
rate. This is called a hypermetabolic
state. When in a hypermetabolic
state, you may experience a rapid
heart rate, elevated blood pressure,
and hand tremors. You may also sweat
a lot and develop a low tolerance for
heat. Hyperthyroidism can cause more
frequent bowel movements, weight

loss, and, in women, irregular

menstrual cycles.
Visibly, the thyroid gland itself can
swell into a goiter, which can be either
symmetrical or one-sided. Your eyes
may also appear quite prominent,
which is a sign of exophthalmos, a
condition thats related to Graves
disease.
Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism
include:

increased appetite
nervousness
restlessness
inability to concentrate
weakness
irregular heartbeat
difficulty sleeping
fine, brittle hair
itching

hair loss
nausea and vomiting
breast development in men
The following symptoms require
immediate medical attention:

dizziness
shortness of breath
loss of consciousness
fast, irregular heart rate
Hyperthyroidism can also cause atrial
fibrillation, a dangerous arrhythmia
that can lead to strokes, as well as
congestive heart failure.
Read more: The effects of atrial
fibrillation on the body
Part 4 of 7: Diagnosis

How do doctors
diagnose
hyperthyroidism?

Your first step in diagnosis is to get a

complete medical history and physical
exam. This can reveal these common
signs of hyperthyroidism:

weight loss
rapid pulse
elevated blood pressure
protruding eyes
enlarged thyroid gland

Other tests may be performed to

further evaluate your diagnosis. These
include:

Cholesterol test
Your doctor may need to check your
cholesterol levels. Low cholesterol can
be a sign of an elevated metabolic
rate, in which your body is burning
through cholesterol quickly.
T4, free T4, T3
These tests measure how much
thyroid hormone (T4 and T3) is in your
blood.
Thyroid stimulating hormone level test
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is
a pituitary gland hormone that
stimulates the thyroid gland to
produce hormones. When thyroid
hormone levels are normal or high,

your TSH should be lower. An

abnormally low TSH can be the first
sign of hyperthyroidism.

Triglyceride test
Your triglyceride level may also be
tested. Similar to low cholesterol, low
triglycerides can be a sign of an
elevated metabolic rate.

Thyroid scan and uptake

This allows your doctor to see if your
thyroid is overactive. In particular, it
can reveal whether the entire thyroid
or just a single area of the gland is
causing the overactivity.

Ultrasound
Ultrasounds can measure the size of
the entire thyroid gland, as well as
any masses within it. Doctors can also

use ultrasounds to determine if a

mass is solid or cystic.

CT or MRI scans
A CT or MRI can show if a pituitary
tumor is present thats causing the
condition.
Part 5 of 7: Treatment

How to treat
hyperthyroidism

Medication
Antithyroid medications, such
as methimazole(Tapazole), stop the

thyroid from making hormones. They

are a common treatment.

Radioactive iodine
Radioactive iodine is given to over 70
percent of U.S. adults with
hyperthyroidism, according to the
American Thyroid Association. It
effectively destroys the cells that
produce hormones.
Common side effects include dry
mouth, dry eyes, sore throat, and
changes in taste. Precautions may
need to be taken for a short time after
treatment to prevent radiation spread
to others.

Surgery
A section or all of your thyroid gland
may be surgically removed. You will
then have to take thyroid hormone

supplements to prevent
hypothyroidism, which occurs when
you have an underactive thyroid that
secretes too little hormone. Also, betablockers such as propranolol can help
control your rapid pulse, sweating,
anxiety, and high blood pressure. Most
people respond well to this treatment.
Part 6 of 7: Lifestyle remedies

What you can do to

improve symptoms

Eating a proper diet, with a focus on

calcium and sodium, is important,
especially in preventing

hyperthyroidism. Work with your

doctor to create healthy guidelines for
your diet, nutritional supplements,
and exercise.
Hyperthyroidism can also cause your
bones to become weak and thin,
which can lead to osteoporosis. Taking
vitamin D and calcium supplements
during and after treatment can help
strengthen your bones. Your doctor
can tell you how much vitamin D and
calcium to take each day.
Part 7 of 7: Outlook

Outlook

Your doctor may refer you to an

endocrinologist, who specializes in
treating bodily hormone systems.
Stress or infections can cause thyroid
storm. Thyroid storm happens when a
large amount of thyroid hormone is
released and it results in a sudden
worsening of symptoms. Treatment is
important to prevent thyroid storm,
thyrotoxicosis, and other
complications.
The long-term outlook for
hyperthyroidism depends on its cause.
Some causes can go away without
treatment. Others, like Graves'
disease, get worse over time without
treatment. The complications of
Graves' disease can be lifethreatening and affect your long-term
quality of life. Early diagnosis and
treatment of symptoms improve the
long-term outlook.

Thyroid problems in men

Why are men less likely than women to

have problems with their thyroid?

Both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism

(underactive thyroid) are typically started by an autoimmune reaction. While
Graves disease commonly causes hyperthyroidism, Hashimotos commonly
causes hypothyroidism. Both disease processes are started by the body
attacking the thyroid gland.
Its not entirely clear why men have less autoimmune disease than women.
Researchers suspect it has to do with the differences in the immune system.
Women have been found to have a more intense immune response to
vaccinations, trauma, and infections, compared to men. So it is likely that this
highly active immune system puts women at risk for more thyroid disease.