About Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a disorder resulting from too much activity of the thyroid gland. The gland swells and releases too many thyroid hormones. This results in a speeding of the metabolic rate that controls the body's normal processes.

What causes hyperthyroidism?

There are varying causes of hyperactivity of the thyroid gland. Sometimes it is caused by too little iodine in the diet. Other causes include side effects of the anti-arrhythmic drug Amiodarone, contamination by thyroid tissue in ground beef (rare) or an autoimmune disorder called Graves' disease. Occasionally hyperthyroidism occurs postpartum for about a year after delivery, normally clearing by itself without medication.

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include rapid and/or irregular heartbeat, constant hunger, shortness of breath, nervousness and anxiety, fatigue, intolerance to heat, diarrhea, tremor, insomnia, weight loss, and you may notice a bulging of eyeballs. The neck may swell from enlarged thyroid. This swelling is called a goiter. Hair may become more brittle and skin drier and thinner. In women, menstruation may lighten or cease entirely.

How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?

The level of thyroid hormone must be measured in the blood, along with specific antibodies, to diagnose hyperthyroidism. Iodine uptake tests and scans of the thyroid may be performed.

Treating hyperthyroidism

Typically, initial treatment for the hyperthyroid patient consists of the use of drugs called thyrostatics, which slow down production of thyroid hormones. Usually treatment begins with a high dose of the drug but the drug is tapered slowly to reduce the risk of hypothyroidism -- too small a production of thyroid hormone.

There are other drugs sometimes prescribed to reduce some of the symptomology, such as Beta-blockers given for heart palpitations or Propanolol for anxiety, tremors and heat intolerance. Propanolol can also minimally reduce thyroid hormone production.

Radioiodine therapy, usually through a small pill or a liquid, is sometimes employed, although it is not preferred as it can result in actual destruction of the thyroid tissue. If the hyperthyroid condition is overtreated, it usually results in the opposite condition of hypothyroidism which then requires lifelong treatment.

Surgery is sometimes performed to remove part of all of the thyroid gland. However, because this presents other risks such as severing the laryngeal nerve or removal of outlying glands, this operation is rarely undertaken. Normally the decision to operate is only done in patients with allergy to medication or radioiodine treatment.

What is a thyroid storm?

Thyroid storm is a term referring to a sudden onset of severe hyperthyroidism symptoms all at once. This is a very dangerous, life-threatening condition. The patient normally requires resuscitation techniques and must be rushed to a hospital for intravenous beta blockers and possibly hydrocortisone and/or thionamides.

Seek Medical Treatment

Make an appointment with your health professional as soon as possible if you are experiencing symptoms of hyperthyroidism. This condition can build gradually but can also produce life threatening sudden onset symptoms. The long term health outlook for the health of thyroid patients is good when treatment is sought and carefully monitored.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic
Signet/Mosby Medical Encyclopedia
endocrineweb