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Hyperthyroidism

Condition Basics

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism means your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone controls how your body uses energy, also called metabolism. When you have too much thyroid hormone, your metabolism speeds up. You may lose weight quickly or feel nervous and moody. Or you may have no symptoms at all.

Too much thyroid hormone can also affect your heart, muscles, bones, and cholesterol.

Hyperthyroidism can occur at any age but rarely affects children. It affects women more often than men.

Your thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck.

What causes it?

Graves' disease causes most hyperthyroidism. In Graves' disease, the body's natural defence (immune) system attacks the thyroid gland. The thyroid reacts by making too much thyroid hormone. Graves' disease often runs in families. Sometimes hyperthyroidism is caused by a swollen thyroid or small growths in the thyroid called thyroid nodules.

What are the symptoms?

You may have no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Or, you may feel nervous, moody, weak, or tired. Other symptoms include shaking hands, feeling hot and sweaty, and losing weight, even if you are eating normally.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask questions about your past health and your symptoms and will do a physical exam to diagnose hyperthyroidism. If your doctor thinks you may have the condition, he or she will order blood tests to see how much thyroid hormone your body is making.

How is hyperthyroidism treated?

Radioactive iodine is the most common treatment for hyperthyroidism. Most people are cured after taking one dose. It destroys part of your thyroid gland. Antithyroid medicine pills may be prescribed if your symptoms are mild. If they stop working, you may need to try radioactive iodine.

Information about Hyperthyroidism

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Information about Hyperthyroidism

Current as of: October 2, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff

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All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.