What Is Hyperthyroidism? What Causes Hyperthyroidism?

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Article Date: 05 Jun 2004 - 22:00 PDT

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Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which there is an excessive amount of thyroid hormones (chemical messengers) circulating in the blood, usually because of an overactive thyroid gland.

-- Thyroid hormones help to regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) by which the body uses energy.

-- When there is too much thyroid hormone this produces the symptoms of hyperthyroidism because of the increased activity of these hormones around the body.

-- This leads to problems caused by the speeding up of many normal body processes.

How do you get Hyperthyroidism?

Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland which is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple. It is wrapped around the windpipe (trachea) and has the shape of a butterfly, being formed by two wings (or lobes) which are attached by a middle part.

In hyperthyroidism the thyroid gland either produces too much thyroid hormone or becomes leaky and releases stores of the hormones. More women than men get hyperthyroidism, usually between the ages of 20 and 50 years.

Causes of hyperthyroidism include:

-- Grave's disease in which there is a generalised overactivity of the thyroid gland

-- Certain infections or inflammation of the thyroid gland

-- Excess iodine in the diet

-- Toxic multi-nodular goitre in which parts of the thyroid develop lumps that over produce thyroid hormones

-- Overactivity of the thyroid gland may be accompanied by a swelling of the gland which is called a goitre. The swelling may be regular and uniform in the whole gland or occur in parts of the gland to cause a 'nodular goitre'.

How serious is Hyperthyroidism?

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include restlessness, tremors, weight loss despite an increased appetite, sweating, rapid heart rate, intolerance to heat, and frequent bowel movements. Other symptoms include fatigue, weakness, insomnia, hair loss, and decreased concentration. Women may experience irregular and decreased menstrual flow. Often there is a typical staring appearance due to elevation of the upper eyelids.

How long does Hyperthyroidism last?

If hyperthyroidism is due to overproduction of thyroid hormones, this can last for a long time.

-- Sometimes this is due to lumps or nodules growing in the thyroid gland and for others this can be due to poor control of production, because abnormal chemicals are being produced in the body which have an effect on the thyroid gland

-- If hyperthyroidism is due to a damaged thyroid gland it may only last a few weeks, because the symptoms are due to too much stored hormone being leaked into the blood.

How Hyperthyroidism is treated?

Hyperthyroidism can be treated with anti-thyroid drugs, radio-active iodine or surgery to remove the thyroid gland (either totally or partially).

Anti-thyroid drugs reduce the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. They are usually very effective, but it may take several weeks for them to work. During this time doctors might advise using other medicines to mask any troublesome symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Beta-blockers are sometimes used for this purpose. After one or two years it might be possible to stop the anti-thyroid drugs, but a relapse can occur.

Anti-thyroid drugs are usually so effective that surgery is only rarely required.

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