HYPERTHYROIDISM

<p>HYPERTHYROIDISM</p><p>The term <br>hyperthyroidism <br>refers to any condition in which there is too</p><p>much thyroid hormone in the body. In other words, the thyroid gland</p><p>is overactive.It is sometimes called thyrotoxicosis, the technical term for too much thyroid hormone in the blood.</p><p>CAUSES:</p><p>Hyperthyroidism has several causes, including</p><p>• Graves’ disease</p><p>• one or more thyroid nodules</p><p>• thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland</p><p>• ingesting too much iodine</p><p>• overmedicating with synthetic thyroid hormone, which is used to treat underactive thyroid</p><p>SYMPTOM:</p><p>• Fast heart rate, often more than 100 beats per minute</p><p>• Anxious, irritable, argumentative</p><p>• Trembling hands</p><p>• Weight loss, despite eating the same amount or even more than</p><p>usual</p><p>• Intolerance of warm temperatures and increased likelihood to</p><p>perspire</p><p>• Loss of scalp hair</p><p>• Rapid growth of fi ngernails and tendency of fi ngernails to separate</p><p>from the nail bed</p><p>• Muscle weakness, especially of the upper arms and thighs</p><p>• Loose and frequent bowel movements</p><p>• Smooth and thin skin</p><p>• Change in menstrual pattern</p><p>• Increased likelihood for miscarriage</p><p>• Prominent “stare” of the eyes</p><p>• Protrusion of the eyes, with or without double vision (in patients</p><p>with Graves’ disease)</p><p>• Irregular heart rhythm, especially in patients older than 60 years</p><p>of age</p><p>• Accelerated loss of calcium from bones, which increases the risk</p><p>of osteoporosis and fractures.</p><p>DIAGNOSIS:</p><p>Characteristic symptoms and physical signs of hyperthyroidism can</p><p>be detected by a physician. In addition, tests can be used to confi rm</p><p>the diagnosis and to determine the cause.</p><p>TSH (THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE OR THYROTROPIN TEST</p><p>A low TSH level in the blood is the most accurate indicator of hyperthyroidism.</p><p>OTHER TESTS</p><p>• Free T4 (thyroxine) and Free T3 (triiodothyronine) - the active</p><p>thyroid hormones in the blood. When hyperthyroidism</p><p>develops, free T4 and T3 levels rise above previous values in</p><p>that specifi c patient</p>