Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition where the body produces too much thyroid hormone. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the United States, affecting about 1% of the American population.
It can cause many unpleasant symptoms, including tremors, nervousness, fatigue, weight loss, and insomnia. There’s much misunderstanding about thyroid disease, and the treatment options have evolved a lot through the years, which is something people don’t know.
Information about a condition after you’re diagnosed is essential to make educated decisions about your treatment and how you manage the symptoms. Thus, in this blog post, we’ll explore hyperthyroidism in greater detail and give you an overview of treatment options. Keep reading to learn more!
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces more thyroxine than it should. This results in an overactive thyroid function, which affects the body’s metabolism and other bodily functions.
Hyperthyroidism is usually caused by an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. Other causes of hyperthyroidism include Graves’ disease, an overactive thyroid from taking too much thyroid hormone medication, and a benign thyroid tumor.
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating important bodily processes such as metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. That’s why the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are extensive to many body systems and organs throughout the body. It not only affects your heart but also how your body processes carbohydrates and creates energy, how the brain behaves, and the overall chemistry inside your cells.
Hyperthyroidism results in a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight loss, increased appetite, heat intolerance, increased sweating, sweating, irritability, and nervousness. It can cause several other health problems, such as an irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure.
If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to serious complications, including heart failure, stroke, osteoporosis, infertility, and severe eye problems. Additional symptoms may include sleeping difficulties, goiter, and visual changes.
What is Thyrotoxicosis?
Thyrotoxicosis is a complication of hyperthyroidism caused by an overproduction of the thyroid hormone that disrupts the normal functioning of different body parts. You could say it is a flare-up in patients with hyperthyroidism characterized by more severe signs and symptoms than the baseline.
The primary symptoms of thyrotoxicosis are the same as those mentioned above. Still, the intensity is much higher, and patients are more likely to experience muscle weakness, severe anxiety, and irritability. There’s a high chance of developing arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, and vision disturbances.