Hyperthyroidism is the condition of the overactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to excessive production of the thyroid hormone.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM
- Anxiety & nervousness
- Irritability & trouble falling asleep
- Panic attacks
- Inability to concentrate
- Memory problems
- Heat intolerance
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- High blood sugar
- Frequent urination
- Muscle aches & fatigue
- Fast heart rate
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea & vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst
COMPLICATIONS
- Delirium
- Psychosis & paranoia
- Tremor & convulsions
- Absence of menstruation
- Enlargement of the male breast tissue
- Osteoporosis
- Abnormal involuntary movement
- Loss of muscle function
- In rare conditions, periodic muscle paralysis & low potassium.
- Graves’ Disease
- Enlarged neck, Goiter
- Bulging of the eye & swelling
- Muscle weakness of the eye
- Dalrymple sign
- Lagging of the upper eyelid on rotation of the eye downward, Von Graefe’s Sign
- Thyroid storm, a medical emergency that arises due to infections or untreated Hypertension, therefore it presents conditions like abnormal heart beat, several mental agitation, diarrhea.
- Hypothyroidism due to medications & treatment of Hyperthyroidism/Graves’ Disease.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM
- Graves’ Disease
- Toxic thyroid adenoma/tumor
- Toxic multinodular goiter
- Myathenia Gravis
- Pituitary adenoma/tumor that can cause overproduction of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which eventually leads to hyperthyroidism.
- Thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid
- Postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) occurs in about 7% of women during the year after they give birth, although this form of hyperthyroidism usually corrects itself within weeks or months without the need for treatment.
- Stroma ovarii, a rare form of tumor of the thyroid tissue.
- Excess consumption of iodine.
- Amiodarone, a drug used to treat abnormal heart rhythm, is structurally similar to Thyroxine can cause hyperthyroidism.
- Taking too much of thyroid hormone meication/supplement, eg: levothyroxine.
DIAGNOSIS
- Measuring of the TSH levels in the blood, a high level of TSH shows higher activity of pituitary gland & hence more stimulation of thyroid gland.
- Measurement of anti-TSH receptor antibodies in Graves’ Disease & anti-thyroid Peroxidase.
- Radioactive iodine test: Radioactive iodine is usually administered IV or orally. A person with hyperthyroidism tends to absorb higher amount of iodine. The amount of iodine absorbed is detected.
- Similarly a scan of the thyroid gland is also performed by using a gamma probe camera that captures images of the thyroid hormone, with the help of the radio-contrast media that highlights the abnormality in the thyroid tissue.
- Thyroid scintigraphy is also a useful test for distinguishing between different causes of hyperthyroidism.
TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM
- Antithyroid drugs, that inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. Eg: Methimazole, carbimazole, propylthiouracil.
- Use of radioactive iodine-131 which is given as a one time dose to completely stop & destroy the activity of the thyroid gland.
- Subsequently daily dose of levothyroxine is prescribed for the necessary requirement of thyroid hormone.
- Beta Blockers are prescribed for the management of conditions of heart like palpitations, high blood pressure, etc.
- Surgery to remove the thyroid hormone in cases where medications do not show effect, although surgery comes at its own risks.
- Change in diet, foods should not have high iodine.
- Management of underlying autoimmune disorders.