Hyperthyroidism Explained

Hyperthyroidism Explained

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that develops when your thyroid gland overproduces hormones. You may be curious to know more about the condition — specifically, what it does to your body and what happens once you’ve been diagnosed. Fortunately, hypothyroidism is a manageable condition when you get effective treatment. In this article, you’ll learn the basics you need to know about diagnosing and treating this condition.

What Does Your Thyroid Do?

To better understand thyroid-related conditions (like hypothyroidism), it’s helpful to understand the physiological role your thyroid plays in your body. Your thyroid gland is at the front of your neck. It’s a butterfly-shaped organ that produces the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones control how your body’s cells use energy and trigger certain bodily functions, including:

  • Regulating body temperature
  • Controlling heart rate
  • Controlling metabolism (specifically, the process of converting food into energy)

Essentially, when your thyroid gland is working typically, your body and all of its systems function in harmony. If your thyroid is unbalanced — creating too much or too little of the thyroid hormones — it could negatively impact your entire body.

What Exactly Is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is also referred to as “having an overactive thyroid.” Hyperthyroidism occurs when your body makes and releases too much thyroid hormone, which can cause your metabolism to speed up, affecting your entire body.

There are several symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, including:

  • Heart palpitations (rapid heartbeat)
  • Increased appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Feeling shaky or nervous
  • Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements
  • Skin that’s noticeably thin, warm, and moist
  • Changes in vision
  • Issues with sleep
  • Intolerance to heat and excessive sweating
  • Swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (also known as goiter)
  • Menstrual cycle changes
  • Hair loss and brittle hair
  • Bulging of the eyes
  • Muscle weakness

While anyone can have hyperthyroidism, the condition is much more common in women. It should also be noted that hyperthyroidism affects about 1% of the U.S. population, making it somewhat rare.

What Causes Hyperthyroidism?

There’s a variety of health conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism. The most common is Graves’ disease. This is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack your thyroid gland with antibodies. This results in the release of too much of the T4 and T3 hormones.

In addition to Graves’ disease, the other common causes of hyperthyroidism include these:

  • Excess iodine. Iodine is a key mineral in the functioning of T4 and T3 hormones. Too much of it can result in temporary hyperthyroidism. It’s present in certain medications as well as fish and dairy.
  • Thyroiditis. Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid, and the condition causes the thyroid gland to swell. This can result in your thyroid gland making too much or too little of the hormones. This is referred to as hypothyroidism.
  • Thyroid nodules. Nodules are small lumps that can develop on the thyroid gland. They’re also usually benign but can cause an excess in production of the thyroid hormones.
  • Toxic thyroid nodules. Also known as toxic adenoma, some nodules are malignant or cancerous. Toxic thyroid nodules also cause an overproduction of thyroid hormones.
  • High levels of T4. High levels of T4 in the bloodstream typically result from taking certain supplements. Levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone medication, can also increase your T4 levels.

Hypothyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment

A physician can diagnose you with hyperthyroidism. The diagnosis itself usually involves several exams and tests, including:

  • A physical exam of your neck to check whether your thyroid is larger than it should be
  • Blood tests to check the levels of thyroid hormones in your body
  • Imaging tests to look at your thyroid gland for abnormalities

If you’re experiencing hyperthyroidism symptoms, your physician will likely also check:

  • Your eyes for swelling and bulging as a sign of Graves’ disease
  • Your heart rate to see if you have a rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Your hands for tremors, as well as changes in your fingernails, such as brittleness
  • Your skin to see if it’s warm and moist to the touch

There are several treatment options for hypothyroidism that can allow you to manage the condition well. Of course, the type of treatment your doctor prescribes will depend on the cause of your hyperthyroidism. Treatments may include the following:

  • Antithyroid drugs, such as methimazole or propylthiouracil (PTU), block the thyroid’s ability to make hormones.
  • Radioactive iodine, which is absorbed by your thyroid cells, works by damaging those cells. It helps shrink an enlarged thyroid and is usually combined with lifelong thyroid hormone drugs.
  • A thyroidectomy is surgery to remove the thyroid. This form of treatment also requires lifelong thyroid supplements to maintain hormone levels.
  • Beta-blockers don’t change the level of hormones in your blood but work to block the action of hormone activity. Beta-blockers are often combined with another form of treatment.

As mentioned, hyperthyroidism is a treatable condition. However, the only way to cure it in its entirety is by completely removing your thyroid — which means having to take medications to regulate your hormones for the rest of your life. If you’re diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, it’s helpful to discuss the best treatment options with your doctor.