In normal cases the thyroid gland produces adequate quantities of T4 and T3, which help in body metabolism, heart beat and temperature regulation among others.
Thyroid hormones can in fact affect the functioning of almost all the body cells and their functions. Hyperthyroidism refers to the conditions associated with the excess secretion of thyroid hormone.
Some of the common
symptoms of hyperthyroidism include increase in body temperature, loss of weight, trembling hands, fatigue, muscle weakness, chest pain, diarrhea, scanty periods, staring gaze, hair loss or shortness of breath. Most of the early symptoms are mild and are generally overlooked as it looks strikingly similar to other health problems, making diagnosis difficult.
Hyperthyroidism might be also due to other
thyroid disease conditions like Graves disease, which is thought to be responsible for 85% of all cases of hyperthyroidism. Many people suffering from Graves' disease are also susceptible to hyperthyroid eye disease, which might cause protruding eyes, which gives them a staring gaze that is normally associated with this disease. In addition such patients might also suffer from blurry vision or eye pain. In addition non malignant tumors of the thyroid, the pituitary gland, testes or ovaries might also end up in hyperthyroidism. Oral intake of excessive iodine or excess quantities of thyroid hormones might also result in this condition. Inflammation of the thyroid due to causes like viral infections is yet another reason for this condition. Nodular thyroid disease also might trigger hyperthyroidism.
Over active thyroid may be diagnosed by physical examination of any thyroid inflammation apart from verifying the pulse and blood pressure of the patient. The other tests include blood tests for T3 and T4, which would be high.
Treatment methods might vary from case to case and normally radioactive iodine and antithyroid medications are employed to kill part of the
thyroid to control the over production of hormone. In some extreme cases the gland as a whole is removed surgically. When the symptoms are left untreated it can lead to serious conditions like palpitations or heart
disorders. irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm. In aged people most of these symptoms might not be present and the patient becomes weak by the day. There is no known preventive method against hyperthyroidism.
In some cases women might develop hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.
Symptoms will be more conspicuous in the first half of the pregnancy, and will be comparatively less during the second half, but chances are that soon after delivery the condition might reappear. It is thought that the most prevailing cause of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is Graves' disease.
Though hyperthyroidism does not hamper delivery, if a
over active thyroid storm develops, it could be fatal. The common symptoms include increased heart beat, nervousness, diarrhea, fever and delirium. This condition requires urgent medical aid to bring the hormone levels back to normal and to bring down the body temperature of the patient. Treatment for hypothyroidism often extends all your life, so make sure to take up prompt follow up checks to ensure normal thyroid hormone levels.
