Hyperthyroidism is a condition where high levels of the thyroid hormone are present in the blood due to overproduction of the thyroid gland. This results in an increased level of metabolic activity in the body.
Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: Increased heart beat, weight loss, heat intolerability, tremors, anorexia, dyspnoea, palpitations, hyper-relexia, muscular weakness, alopecia, amenorrhea, loss of libido, fatigue, gynaecomastia and increased thirst.
In more than 90% of the cases, the cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease along with a multinodular goiter or autonomously functioning thyroid nodule. Around 1 in 500 pregnant women may have high levels of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism may affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant.
Diagnosis can be done easily with a blood test indicating high levels of T3 and T4 and/or an unusually low level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). A radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) scan may also be done.
There is no cure to Graves’ disease though for hyperthyroidism there are treatments available including:
- Anti-thyroid drugs
- Radio-active iodine, also known as radio-iodine 131
These substances help reduce the amount of thyroid hormone secreted by the thyroid gland.