Disease and Condition

Hyperthyroidism
What is it?

Hyperthyroidism is overactivity of the thyroid gland. It occurs when the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than is needed. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located on each side of the windpipe and connected just below the larynx by a thin strip of tissue. It produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism and organ function. Since thyroid hormones influence essentially every organ, tissue and cell in the body, excess hormones speed up most chemical reactions in the body, causing medical and physical changes. Other names for hyperthyroidism, or specific diseases which are the result of an overactive thyroid include Graves’ disease, diffuse toxic goiter, Basedow’s disease, Parry’s disease and thyrotoxicosis.
Who gets it?

Hyperthyroidism is more prevalent in women than men. Although it can occur at any age, it is most likely to occur after the age of 15, and more so to those in their 30’s and 40’s. The annual incidence of hyperthyroidism in the United States is about one per 1,000 women.
What causes it?

Although the exact cause of hyperthyroidism is unknown, it is often associated with autoantibodies in the blood which cause the thyroid to grow and excrete excess thyroid hormone.

In other words, your immune system does not work properly and the body produces a substance that makes more hormone than it needs. Instead of protecting the body’s tissue, antibodies produced in the body’s immune system attack tissue and as a result cause the thyroid gland to overproduce. Some thyroid gland problems may be inherited. Another cause may be a growth that makes the thyroid gland bigger.
What are the Symptoms?

There is a wide range of signs and symptoms including weight loss with increased appetite, anxiety, tiredness, sleep disturbances, muscle weakness, intolerance to heat, tremors, muscle weakness, enlarged thyroid (Goiter), a bulging of one or both of your eyes, vision problems, diarrhea, faster heart rate and shortness of breath. Women may experience decreased menstrual flow and irregular cycles.
How is it diagnosed?

Hyperthyroidism is easily detected and diagnosed. Your health care provider will ask you about your symptoms, examine you, and order lab tests. Noticeable clues such as a goiter or eye bulging may be noted and a family history may also be a clue to a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.

An elevated body temperature may be an indication also. A simple blood test can be performed to measure the amount of thyroid hormone in the patient’s blood. Other tests such as thyroid scan may check thyroid gland function. This is a nuclear medicine procedure involving injection of a radioisotope dye, which will tag the thyroid and help produce a clear image of inflammation or involvement of the entire thyroid. The physician may also order a an ultrasound, computed tomography scan (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide a visual confirmation of the diagnosis.
What is the treatment?

The options for treatment, which will lower the amount of thyroid hormone in your body, are medication, radiation and surgery. Antithyroid drug therapy blocks thyroid hormone production and usually has it under control in several weeks. This method may work for young adults, pregnant women, and others. A pill containing radioactive iodine is currently the treatment of choice in the United States. It is often prescribed to damage cells that make thyroid hormone. The cells need iodine to make the hormone, so they will absorb any iodine found in the body.

Some patients may take the pill daily for several weeks, which will lead to eventual shrinkage of the thyroid’s size thereby reducing hormone production. Others, who are not of reproductive age, may take a single larger oral dose of radioactive iodine to treat the disease more quickly. Surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy), is usually used to treat very young patients with Graves’ disease and older patients with diseased thyroids. It cures the disease 90% of the time. The risks associated with a thyroidectomy include nerve damage and low thyroid levels. Alternative treatment includes consumption of certain foods that help naturally suppress thyroid hormone production. Caffeinated drinks and dairy products should be avoided. High dosages of certain vitamin/mineral combinations, given under the supervision of a trained physician, can help alleviate hyperthyroidism.
Self Care Tips

There is actually no known way to prevent hyperthyroidism, since its causes are either inherited or not understood. Knowledge of your family history, having regular checkups and close attention to symptoms and signs of the disease, are the best prevention methods. Following the full treatment prescribed by your health care provider can prevent complications of the disease. Consumption of foods such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, rutabagas, spinach, turnips, peaches, and pears can help naturally suppress thyroid hormone production. Caffeinated drinks and dairy products should be avoided. Under the supervision of a trained physician, high dosages of certain vitamin/mineral combinations can also help alleviate hyperthyroidism.

This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.