Halting Hyperthyroidism
You have a rapid heartbeat. Like your chest is going to open up with every beat. You feel nervous and experience tremors in your fingers. You may have hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. This condition can speed up the body’s metabolism and may result in unintentional weight loss and a rapid irregular heartbeat. The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland located at the lower front part of your neck that influences the normal functioning of the body’s organ systems.
Some signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) more than 100 beats per minute; irregular heartbeat (arrythmia); pounding of the heart (palpitations); unintentional weight loss even when your appetite and food intake remain the same; nervousness, anxiety, irritability; increased appetite; and tremors in your hands and fingers.
Any kind of abnormal thyroid functioning can affect your growth and development, metabolism, heart rate, mood, feelings of tiredness and hunger, condition of your hair and skin and ability to sleep.
Sometimes a problem with your eyes may crop up called Graves opthalmopathy where your eyeballs protrude out of your protective orbits when the tissues and muscles behind your eyes swell. Symptoms of Graves opthalmopathy include dry eyes, red or swollen eyes, excessive tearing or discomfort in one or both eyes, light sensitivity, blurry vision or double vision, inflammation or reduced eye movement, and protruding eyeballs.
There are several different causes of hyperthyroidism. Graves disease is the most common cause. It is an inheritable autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue. The immune system produces antibodies that attach to the cells of the thyroid gland stimulating the gland to produce excess amounts of thyroid hormones. People with Graves disease can also have an enlarged thyroid and red, swollen, and bulging eyes.
Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by a viral or bacterial infection or excess iodine intake. These infections cause the thyroid gland to temporarily release excess amounts of thyroid hormones into your bloodstream.
Postpartum thyroiditis occurs in women after delivering a baby. These women also have a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism after the hyperthyroidism subsides.
Thyroid nodules are growths on the thyroid gland that may cause the thyroid gland to become enlarged and may appear as a lump on the neck known as a goiter. Sometimes these nodules can cause your thyroid to increase the production of thyroid hormones.
Drug-related hyperthyroidism is caused by certain medications that cause the thyroid to function abnormally. Over-treatment with thyroid hormone replacement can also cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Your doctor will decide on your treatment based on several factors including your age, severity of the disease, your overall state of health and the cause of your hyperthyroidism. A radioactive iodine thyroid uptake and scan is often done to determine the cause of hyperthyroidism and the following treatments are used:
Beta blockers are medications used to reduce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as tremors, nervousness, and palpitations.
Antithyroid drugs block the thyroid from producing thyroid hormones and are taken for a period of 12-18 months. These medications may also be used in preparation for surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Radioactive iodine is a pill taken by mouth that destroys the thyroid. It may take weeks to months for the process to take effect. It is also common to develop hypothyroidism after this treatment requiring daily thyroid hormone replacement.
Surgery may also be performed to remove part of the thyroid gland or to remove the whole gland. This type of treatment can also result in hypothyroidism.
Your doctor may suggest beginning an exercise regimen and relaxation techniques like meditation which improve your mental and physical outlook.
Just know and remember hyperthyroidism is a manageable disease that requires medications, possible treatment procedures, and regular follow-up with your doctor.
