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Hyperthyroidism

Description

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland starts producing an excess of thyroid hormones. Thyroid gland with the help of thyroid hormones regulates the body’s metabolism i.e., the process of conversion of food into energy and the expenditure of this energy by body’s cells. Hyperthyroidism accelerates the body’s metabolism, therefore, causing rapid weight loss.

Causes

Known causes of hyperthyroidism are:

  • Grave’s disease (an autoimmune disorder),
  • Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules (excess production of T4 by one or more adenomas of thyroid gland),
  • Thyroiditis (inflammation of thyroid gland),
  • Excess iodine,
  • Tumors of the ovaries or testes,
  • Benign (non-cancerous) tumors of thyroid or pituitary gland,
  • Intake of a large amount of T3 through dietary supplements.
Risk factors

Some prominent risk factors of hyperthyroidism are:

  • Female gender,
  • Age above 60,
  • Recent pregnancy,
  • Autoimmune disease like diabetes type 1 (raised blood sugar level),
  • Family history of thyroid or autoimmune disease,
  • Medical history of thyroid problems like goiter (abnormally enlarged thyroid gland),
  • Consuming significant amounts of iodine through diet.
Symptoms

Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:

  • Rapid weight loss despite of a good diet,
  • Tachycardia (rapid heart rate),
  • Arrhythmia (abnormal rate and rhythm of heartbeat),
  • Palpitation (pounding of heart),
  • Increased appetite,
  • Nervousness and irritability,
  • Tremor (involuntary shaking),
  • Sweating,
  • Disturbed menstrual cycle in females,
  • Increased sensitivity to heat,
  • More frequent bowel movements,
  • Fatigue and muscle weakness,
  • Trouble sleeping,
  • Thinning of skin,
  • Brittle hair texture.
Diagnosis

To reach a diagnosis, your doctor will take your thorough medical and family history, will examine your neck in detail, will recommend you get a few laboratory investigations like TSH level, radioiodine uptake test, thyroid scan, thyroid ultrasound done, and will assess your vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and weight.

Management

The first line of treatment for hyperthyroidism includes antithyroid medicines. These medicines effectively reduce the amount of thyroid hormones being produced. Second line of treatment includes radioactive iodine. This permanently destroys the cells that produce too much thyroid hormones. Last but not the least is thyroid surgery. A hyperfunctioning section of thyroid gland is removed by surgery. This is usually done in cases of tumors of thyroid gland.

When to consult a doctor?


You are advised to consult a doctor if there is worsening of your condition, no improvement in your condition, you start experiencing new side effects because of the medicines, you feel lethargic and fatigued, and if your neck swelling starts causing you difficulty in breathing.

Available Medicine for Hyperthyroidism

Neomercazole 5mg

Rs.244.43

Ray Pharma