Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition. It is caused by a thyroid gland that is too active.

Hyperthyroidism
Other namesOveractive thyroid, hyperthyreosis
Triiodothyronine (T3, pictured) and thyroxine (T4) are both forms of thyroid hormone.
Medical specialtyEndocrinology
SymptomsIrritability, muscle weakness, sleeping problems, fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, diarrhea, enlargement of the thyroid, weight loss
ComplicationsThyroid storm
Usual onset20–50 years old
CausesGraves' disease, multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, inflammation of the thyroid, eating too much iodine, too much synthetic thyroid hormone
Diagnostic methodBased on symptoms and confirmed by blood tests
TreatmentRadioiodine therapy, medications, thyroid surgery
MedicationBeta blockers, methimazole
Frequency1.2% (US)
DeathsRare directly, unless thyroid storm occurs; associated with increased mortality if untreated (1.23 HR)

The thyroid gland makes hormones. These hormones manage the body’s metabolism. An example of one of these hormones is thyroxine.

Synthesis

Diagram explaining the relationship between the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 have a number of metabolic, cardiovascular and developmental effects on the body. The production is stimulated by release of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn depends on release of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). Every downstream hormone has negative feedback and decreases the level of the hormone that stimulates its release.

The thyroid-stimulating hormone starts the making of thyroxine. The thyroid-stimulating hormone is also called “TSH.”

TSH is made in the pituitary gland. Hyperthyroidism is determined by a doctor by blood tests that show a decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level.

Cause

The most common cause of this disorder is "Graves’ disease.” Graves’ disease is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes overactive. Antibodies from the immune system in the bloodstream attack itself (this is called an autoimmune disease). This causes the thyroid gland to grow, as well as produce more thyroid hormones.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of this disorder are the swelling of the neck, as well as weight loss. In addition, patients could experience their hands trembling, as well as their blood pressure increasing. They could also experience nervousness and anxiety attacks. Medication can stop the effects of hyperthyroidism. However, hyperthyroidism cannot be fixed completely. Hyperthyroidism can occasionally cause death.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hyperthyroidism". www.niddk.nih.gov. July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-02.
  2. 1 2 3 Devereaux D, Tewelde SZ (May 2014). "Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis". Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 32 (2): 277–292. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2013.12.001. PMID 24766932.
  3. ↑ Bahn Chair RS, Burch HB, Cooper DS, Garber JR, Greenlee MC, Klein I, Laurberg P, McDougall IR, Montori VM, Rivkees SA, Ross DS, Sosa JA, Stan MN (June 2011). "Hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis: management guidelines of the American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists". Thyroid. 21 (6): 593–646. doi:10.1089/thy.2010.0417. PMID 21510801.
  4. ↑ Lillevang-Johansen, Mads; Abrahamsen, Bo; Jørgensen, Henrik Løvendahl; Brix, Thomas Heiberg; Hegedüs, Laszlo (2017-03-28). "Excess Mortality in Treated and Untreated Hyperthyroidism Is Related to Cumulative Periods of Low Serum TSH". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 102 (7). The Endocrine Society: 2301–2309. doi:10.1210/jc.2017-00166. ISSN 0021-972X. PMID 28368540. S2CID 3806882.
  5. ↑ "Thyroid disorders." World of Health. Gale, 2007. Student Resources in Context. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
  6. ↑ Mazzone, Theodore. "Graves' disease." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
  7. ↑ Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 4th Edition, Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2014, pp. 1227-1230.
  8. ↑ GALE, Cengage Learning, “Thyroid Disorders; Key Q&A” Health and Wellness Resource Center, March 2007. Health and Wellness Resource Center. Retrieved 22 February 2016.