Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, also known as overactive thyroid, is a condition in which your thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. This condition can cause rapid metabolism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heartbeat, weight loss, increased appetite and anxiety. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with antithyroid drugs, iodine diuretics, beta blockers, and surgery.
Causes and symptoms
Medical conditions and conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism include:
Graves’ disease:
In this disorder, your immune system attacks your thyroid. This causes your thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. Graves disease is hereditary (inherited). If you have a family member with Graves’ disease, there is a chance that others in the family can also have it. It is more common in populations assigned to females at birth than in populations assigned to males at birth. Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, accounting for about 85% of cases.
Thyroid nodule:
A thyroid nodule is a lump or growth of cells in your thyroid gland. They can produce more hormones than your body needs. Thyroid nodules are a rare form of cancer.
Thyroiditis:
Thyroiditis is inflammation of your thyroid gland, and can be painful or painless (silent). It can occur up to one year after the baby is born (postpartum thyroiditis). After a bout of thyroiditis, your thyroid may fail to recover, leading to hypothyroidism.
Overconsumption of iodine:
If you are at risk for hyperthyroidism and eat too much iodine (through your diet or medications), it can cause your thyroid to produce too much thyroid hormone Iodine is the mineral your thyroid uses to make thyroid hormone. Intravenous administration of iodinated contrast (iodine “dye”) can cause hyperthyroidism. Amiodarone, which contains high doses of iodine, can also cause hyperthyroidism.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your healthcare provider can diagnose hyperthyroidism in different ways, e.g.
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A neck physical examination to see if your thyroid is larger than normal.
A blood test to find out how much thyroid hormone you have in your body.
Imaging test to identify your thyroid.
Physical examination for hyperthyroidism
If you are experiencing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, your health care provider may check for the following during a physical exam in their office:
Your Thyroid:
Your caregiver may gently feel your thyroid on the back of your neck to see if it is enlarged, bulging or tender.
Your eyes:
Your eye doctor can check for swelling, redness, and enlargement of Graves eye disease.
Your heart:
Your provider may use a hearing aid to listen to your heart for rapid and/or irregular heartbeats.
Your hands:
The provider may extend your hands to check for a rash. They can also look for changes in your fingernails.
Skin
Your caregiver can tell if your skin is warm and moist.
Blood tests for hyperthyroidism
Your health care provider may take blood samples to check for sufficient thyroid hormone levels. This is called a thyroid function test. With hyperthyroidism, the levels of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are above normal and the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are below normal.
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