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Hyperthyroidism: Overview
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine, leading to a variety of side effects affecting the entire body.
The thyroid is an endocrine (hormone) gland located on the front of the neck. The gland produces thyroxine to help the body use energy, stay warm, and keep essential organs working. When the thyroid is overactive, it produces too much thyroxine which can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
Overactive Thyroid Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Rapid heartbeat
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness, irritability, and anxiety
- Tremors, usually affecting the hands and fingers
- Sweating
- Changes to the menstrual cycle, in females
- Increased heart sensitivity
- Changes in bowel patterns
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Fatigue, weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Thinning skin
- Fine, brittle hair
- Graves’ ophthalmopathy (a uncommon condition involves eyeballs to protrude due to swelling of the tissues and muscles behind the eyes)
Causes of Hyperthyroidism
According to the American Thyroid Association, there can be numerous causes of hyperthyroidism and it may be a secondary condition from another disease such as Grave’s disease, Plummer’s disease, and thyroiditis. Over 70 percent of overactive thyroid cases are reportedly caused by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid and cause it to grow.
Risk factors for the condition may include family history of hyperthyroidism, being a female, and certain chronic illnesses including type 1 diabetes.
Treatment of Overactive Thyroid
Hyperthyroidism may be treated using radioactive iodine. When taken by mouth, this radioactive chemical is absorbed into the thyroid which causes it to shrink. Any excess radioactive iodine decays within the body over weeks or months.
An overactive thyroid may also be treated with medications such as anti-thyroid drugs or beta blockers. Anti-thyroid drugs target the root of the problem while beta blockers work to manage the side effects of the condition, including tremors and palpitations.
In some cases, surgery may be an option. This treatment option is usually only used if patients are pregnant, can’t tolerate anti-thyroid drugs, or refuse radioactive iodine therapy. During a thyroidectomy surgery, a doctor removes most of the thyroid gland. There are serious risks and lifelong side effects associated with this surgery, so it is rarely suggested.
Hyperthyroidism Complications
If an overactive thyroid is left untreated, it can result in numerous complications. The most serious complications have to due with the heart. A rapid heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure are all possible cardiac complications of hyperthyroidism. Any of these conditions can be life threatening.
Brittle bones, eye problems, and red, swollen skin may also be caused if the body is flooded with hormones from an overactive thyroid. Although these complications are not as severe as some of the possible cardiac complications, they can still be serious and require further medical attention.
Hyperthyroidism may also result in a phenomenon known as thyrotoxic crisis. When a patient has a thyrotoxic crisis, their symptoms may suddenly become more intense. This can cause fever, rapid pulse, and delirium and should be treated immediately.
Hyperthyroidism Lawsuits
Drug manufacturers have not been accused of making medications that cause hyperthyroidism, although some drugs have been linked to the opposite condition – hypothyroidism.
According to Endocrineweb.com, hypothyroidism is caused by a lack of vital thyroid hormones and has been linked to several medications.
Amiodarone, a drug used to treat heart rhythm abnormalities, has been linked with an increased risk of the liver toxicity as well as hypothyroidism due to its high iodine content.
Anti-thyroid medications used to treat an overactive thyroid may work too well and suppress the thyroid’s hormones. Interleukin-2, a cancer medication, and lithium, used to treat depression and bipolar, may also be linked with an increased risk of hypothyroidism.
