Hyperthyroidism

Your thyroid is a tiny gland found in the front of your neck. Its job is to make thyroid hormone, which controls how every organ in your body uses energy. Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland is too active, secreting too much thyroid hormone and making your metabolism work too fast.

Possible complications of hyperthyroidism include:

• Heart problems, such as an abnormal rhythm or heart failure

• Osteoporosis

• Pregnancy problems, such as miscarriage, early delivery, and preeclampsia or high blood pressure

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

People with hyperthyroidism may experience the following symptoms:

• Nervousness

• Irritability

• Excessive sweating

• Thinning of the skin

• Fine, brittle hair

• Weak muscles, especially in the upper arms and thighs

• Shaky hands

• Fast heartbeat

• High blood pressure

• More bowel movements than normal, diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Trouble dealing with the heat

• Problems sleeping

• Prominent eyes

• Sensitivity to bright light

• Confusion

• Irregular menstrual cycle

• Fatigue

• Larger than normal thyroid gland (goiter)

• Pain in the lower neck

Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.

What causes hyperthyroidism and what are the risk factors?

They following conditions may cause hyperthyroidism:

• Graves disease

• Toxic nodular goiter

• Virus attacking the thyroid (thyroiditis)

• Thyroid hormone medicine to treat an underactive thyroid

• Overconsumption of iodine

• Noncancerous pituitary tumor

Risk factors for hyperthyroidism include:

• Being a woman

• Being over 60

• A personal or family history of thyroid issues

• Type 1 diabetes

• Consumption of too much iodine-rich foods or medications that contain iodine

• Pregnancy or giving birth in the last six months

How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed and treated?

See your doctor if you are experiencing hyperthyroidism symptoms and would like to be tested for hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed by:

• Blood tests to measure the amount of thyroid hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone in your blood.

• Thyroid ultrasound to look for nodules, or growths.

• Thyroid scan using Hoag’s advanced imaging capabilities.

If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, your doctor may suggest the following treatment options:

• Medication to lower the level of thyroid hormones in the blood.

• Radioactive iodine to destroy the cells of your thyroid gland.

• Surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid.

• Beta blockers to stop the thyroid hormone’s effect on the body.

• Steroids to reduce inflammation that causes some forms of thyroiditis.