HYPERTHYROIDISM

HYPERTHYROIDISM

The term
hyperthyroidism
refers to any condition in which there is too

much thyroid hormone in the body. In other words, the thyroid gland

is overactive.It is sometimes called thyrotoxicosis, the technical term for too much thyroid hormone in the blood.

CAUSES:

Hyperthyroidism has several causes, including

• Graves’ disease

• one or more thyroid nodules

• thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland

• ingesting too much iodine

• overmedicating with synthetic thyroid hormone, which is used to treat underactive thyroid

SYMPTOM:

• Fast heart rate, often more than 100 beats per minute

• Anxious, irritable, argumentative

• Trembling hands

• Weight loss, despite eating the same amount or even more than

usual

• Intolerance of warm temperatures and increased likelihood to

perspire

• Loss of scalp hair

• Rapid growth of fi ngernails and tendency of fi ngernails to separate

from the nail bed

• Muscle weakness, especially of the upper arms and thighs

• Loose and frequent bowel movements

• Smooth and thin skin

• Change in menstrual pattern

• Increased likelihood for miscarriage

• Prominent “stare” of the eyes

• Protrusion of the eyes, with or without double vision (in patients

with Graves’ disease)

• Irregular heart rhythm, especially in patients older than 60 years

of age

• Accelerated loss of calcium from bones, which increases the risk

of osteoporosis and fractures.

DIAGNOSIS:

Characteristic symptoms and physical signs of hyperthyroidism can

be detected by a physician. In addition, tests can be used to confi rm

the diagnosis and to determine the cause.

TSH (THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE OR THYROTROPIN TEST

A low TSH level in the blood is the most accurate indicator of hyperthyroidism.

OTHER TESTS

• Free T4 (thyroxine) and Free T3 (triiodothyronine) - the active

thyroid hormones in the blood. When hyperthyroidism

develops, free T4 and T3 levels rise above previous values in

that specifi c patient