What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine.
Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body's metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Several treatments are available for hyperthyroidism. Doctors use anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine to slow the production of thyroid hormones.
Sometimes, hyperthyroidism treatment involves surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland.
Symptoms
Hyperthyroidism can mimic other health problems, which can make it difficult for your doctor to diagnose.
It can also cause a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Pounding of your heart (palpitations)
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
- Tremor
- Sweating
- Changes in menstrual patterns
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Changes in bowel patterns
- An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
- Fatigue, muscle weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fine, brittle hair
Hyperthyroidism is caused by a variety of pathologies, including the following conditions: Graves' disease, thyroiditis, and toxic thyroid adenoma.
Risk factors for hyperthyroidism, include:
- A family history, particularly of Graves' disease
- Female sex
- A personal history of certain chronic illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia and primary adrenal insufficiency
Complications
Hyperthyroidism can lead to a number of complications:
- Heart problems.
- Brittle bones.
- Eye problems.
- Red, swollen skin.
- Thyrotoxic crisis.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20373659
