Hyperthyroidism

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland that is located in front of the neck, is overactive and produces excessive amounts of thyroxine/tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism.

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

• Sudden weight loss

·         Rapid heart rate

·         Elevated blood pressure

·         Hand tremors

·         Bulging eyes

·         Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?

• Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) to stimulate the thyroid gland to over secrete thyroid hormones
• Toxic multinodular goiter which are lumps in the thyroid gland that cause the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormones
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) causes excess thyroid hormones stored in the gland to leak into the bloodstream
• Excessive consumption of iodine from foods, supplements or medications (e.g. amiodarone) may cause the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormones

Who is at a higher risk?

·         Tends to run in families

·         More common in women than in men

What are the complications of hyperthyroidism?

·         Heart problems (atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure)

·         Osteoporosis

·         Thyrotoxic crisis, otherwise known as thyroid storm, is a life-threatening hypermetabolic state induced by overproduction of thyroid hormones

What is the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism?

·         Medical history and physical exam based on symptoms

·         Blood tests to measure levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones T3 and T4

·         Thyroid scan to see if the thyroid is overactive

Is there any treatment for hyperthyroidism?

·         Anti-thyroid medications (e.g. methimazole and propylthiouracil) that stop production of thyroid hormones

·         Radioactive iodine that destroys the cells that produce thyroid hormones

·         Surgery (thyroidectomy) remove all or part of the thyroid gland

·         Beta blockers (e.g. propranolol) that help control the rapid heart rate

Online references:

EndocrineWeb, 2015. Hyperthyroidism Overview. [online] Available at: <http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hyperthyroidism/hyperthyroidism-overview-overactive-thyroid> [Accessed 14 November 2015].

Healthline, 2015. Hyperthyroidism: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments. [online] Available at: <http://www.healthline.com/health/hyperthyroidism#Overview1> [Accessed 14 November 2015].

Mayo Clinic, 2015. Hyperthyroidism. [online] Available at: <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/basics/definition/con-20020986> [Accessed 14 November 2015].

Picture reference:
[Before After Thyroid Surgery] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://f.tqn.com/y/surgery/1/S/Y/0/-/-/BeforeAfterThyroidSurgery.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Beta Blockers] n.d. [image online] Available at: <https://welltempered.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/beta-blockers.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Comparison between healthy and affected individuals] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://www.top10homeremedies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/hyperthyroidism-1000.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Comparison between healthy bone and osteoporosis] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://scienceblogs.com/lifelines/files/2014/11/osteoporosis.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Comparison between normal and heart failure] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://axialexchange.com/images/articles/heart_failure.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Comparison between normal heart rhythm and atrial fibrillation] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://www.afibmatters.org/static_file/AFibMatters/Images/normal-heart-rythm-vs-atrial-fibrillation.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Hand Tremors] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view5/20140512/5035645/resting-tremor-o.gif> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Heart rate] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2014-02/enhanced/webdr04/14/5/anigif_enhanced-13504-1392375004-3.gif> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[High Blood Pressure] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://optimalwellnesslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/OWL-0056-010615-what-you-really-need-to-know-about-HBP.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Methimazole Tablets] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://cdn.petcarerx.com/img/PrdImg/408x408/10857_001_xl.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Physical Exam] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://nyp.org/img/exec_physical_exam.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Radioactive Iodine] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://www.monrol-uae.com/images/products_spect/3.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].
[Thyroid Scan] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://www.nucradshare.com/images/Nuc%20Med%20folder/Thyroid/I123%20thyroid%20uptake%20and%20scan%20example%20labeled.jpg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].

[Weight loss] n.d. [image online] Available at: <http://www.medguidance.com/images/10421495/Unexplained_weight_loss.jpeg> [Accessed 14 November 2015].

Post updated on 20 November 2015.