Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when your body is exposed to too much thyroid hormone leading to the enlargement of the thyroid gland.This is called a goiter.

Goiter

Goiter

Symptoms may include:

  • irregular or fast heart rate (more than 100 beats per minute)
  • trembling hands
  • weight loss without change in diet
  • increased anxiety and irritability
  • intolerance of heat and increased perspiration
  • loss of scalp hair
  • muscle weakness
  • loose and frequent bowel movements
  • change in menstrual pattern
  • prominent “stare” of eyes
  • protrusion of eyes with or without double vision
  • loss of calcium from bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures

Laboratory tests

  • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
  • Free thyroxine
  • Free triiodothyronine
  • Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI)
  • Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU)

Possible Causes

  • Graves disease
  • Postpartum thyroiditis
  • Silent thyroiditis
  • Subacute thyroiditis
  • Toxic multinodal goiter
  • Toxic nodule
  • Excessive iodine ingestion
  • Overmedication with thyroid hormone

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the hyperthyroidism and other conditions present. The main treatments are :

  • Antithyroid drugs called propylthiouracil and methimazole
  • Radioactive iodine treatment
  • Surgical removal of the thyroid
  • Iodine drops