Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a disorder that happens when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than the body needs.

Symptoms of hyperthyroid activity can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are nervousness or irritability, fatigue or muscle weakness, weight loss, a fast or irregular heartbeat, and frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, among others.

Hyperthyroidism has several causes, including Graves’ disease, thyroid nodules, and thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid) among others. An uncommon cause is a pituitary adenoma, which is a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States.

Treatment depends on the cause of hyperthyroidism and how severe it is. Health care providers treat hyperthyroidism with medications, radioiodine therapy, or thyroid surgery. The aim of treatment is to normalize thyroid hormone levels in order to prevent long-term complications and to resolve uncomfortable
symptoms. Medications may include beta blockers, antithyroid therapy with methimazole and propylthiouracil , and radioiodine therapy.Thyroid surgery is the least used treatment and consists the removal of part or most of the thyroid gland. 

Hyperthyroidism has several causes, including:

• Graves’ disease
• Thyroid nodules
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid)
• Consuming too much iodine
• Taking large amounts of thyroid hormone
• Some tumors of the testes or ovaries
• Getting medical imaging tests with contrast dye that has iodine

 It is uncommon for hyperthyroidism to be caused by a pituitary adenoma, which is a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. In this case, hyperthyroidism is due to too much TSH. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. With Graves' disease, the immune system makes antibodies that act like TSH. As a result, the thyroid makes more thyroid hormone than your body needs. Women are 2 to 10 times more likely than men to develop hyperthyroidism. Other risk factors include:

• previous thyroid problem, such as goiter or thyroid surgery
• a family history of thyroid disease
• have pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency)
• have type 1 diabetes
• have primary adrenal insufficiency
• eat large amounts of food containing iodine, such as kelp
• using iodine-containing medications such as amiodarone
• are older than age 60
• were pregnant or delivered a baby within the past 6 months

See your doctor for a racing heartbeat, unexplained weight loss, nervousness, tremor, or heat intolerance. Seek emergency care for a very fast or irregular heartbeat, high fever, or confusion.