Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, causing the body’s metabolism to speed up and leading to symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, weight loss, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
What Are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?
Patients with hyperthyroidism can have one or more of these symptoms:
- A racing heart or palpitations
- Tremors
- Feeling jittery
- Unplanned weight loss
- Feeling hot all the time
- Feeling anxious
- Difficulty sleeping
If Graves’ disease is the cause of hyperthyroidism (see below), a person may also experience:
- A goiter
- Eye problems, like swelling, redness, bulging, dryness, itching, blurry vision, and double vision
What Causes Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by all or part of the thyroid being overactive. In some patients, hyperthyroidism is caused by the whole gland being overactive, which is called Graves’ disease, one of the most common forms of hyperthyroidism. In addition to the thyroid gland, the eyes can be affected. Some people’s hyperthyroidism is due to a single or multiple areas in the thyroid (nodules) that are overactive. This is referred to as a “toxic nodule” or “toxic multinodular” goiter.
What Are the Treatment Options?
Treatment for hyperthyroidism includes daily medications, radioactive iodine, or thyroid surgery. The therapy depends on the cause of the hyperthyroidism, response to treatment, and the preferences of the patient. Discuss any possible symptoms or concerns you may have with your primary care provider, an endocrinologist, or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or otolaryngologist.
