For thyroid tests, radioactive iodine is typically used. Your thyroid and most types of thyroid cancer absorb iodine naturally. Subacute thyroiditis is a rare type of thyroiditis. Learn more about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Thyroid surgery removes all or a portion of the thyroid gland. A doctor will perform this surgery in a hospital while the patient is under general….
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Lifestyle remedies Outlook We include products we think are useful for our readers.
What is hyperthyroidism? What causes hyperthyroidism? What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism? How do doctors diagnose hyperthyroidism? How to treat hyperthyroidism. What you can do to improve symptoms. Read this next. Hypothyroidism vs. Medically reviewed by Jason C. Baker, MD. Thyroid Storm. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.
Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Medically reviewed by Marina Basina, M. About overactive thyroids Overactive thyroid also known as hyperthyroidism is a relatively common hormonal condition that occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the body. Read more about the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland What causes an overactive thyroid gland? Read more about the causes of an overactive thyroid gland Treatment An overactive thyroid usually responds well to treatment, and most people are able to control their symptoms.
The three most widely used treatments for an overactive thyroid gland are: thionamides — a group of medications, including carbimazole and methimazole, that stop the thyroid gland producing too much thyroid hormone radioiodine treatment — a radioactive substance called iodine that helps shrink the thyroid gland, reducing its activity the radiation contained in iodine is a very low dose and does not pose a threat to health surgery — in a small number of cases surgery may be required to remove some or all of the thyroid gland, particularly if there is a large goitre Beta-blockers may also sometimes be used to temporarily relieve many symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland, although it doesn't target the thyroid gland itself.
Read more about the treatment of an overactive thyroid gland Complications Around 1 in 20 people with Graves' disease will also develop symptoms affecting their eyes, such as: double vision sensitivity to light photophobia tearing excess production of tears This is known as Graves' ophthalmopathy and should be seen by a doctor who specialises in treating eye conditions an ophthalmologist.
Read more about the complications of an overactive thyroid gland Who is affected Women are 10 times more likely to have an overactive thyroid gland than men.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid An overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism has many signs and symptoms, although it is unlikely you would develop all of them. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism If you have hyperthyroidism, you may experience some of the following symptoms: hyperactivity mood swings — such as anxiety , irritability and nervousness difficulty sleeping insomnia feeling tired all the time fatique muscle weakness needing to pass stools faeces or urine more frequently excess fats in your stools — which can make them greasy and difficult to flush down the toilet steatorrhoea sensitivity to heat and excess sweating unexplained or unexpected weight loss — despite having an increased appetite though in a small number of cases, the increase in appetite can lead to weight gain very infrequent or light periods, or periods stopping altogether infertility loss of interest in sex If you have diabetes , your diabetic symptoms, such as extreme thirst and tiredness, may be made worse by hyperthyroidism.
Causes of an overactive thyroid Overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormones thyroxine or triiodothyronine. Graves' disease Graves' disease is the most common cause of overactive thyroid. Thyroid nodules It is possible for lumps to develop in your thyroid gland. Toxic thyroid nodules account for about 1 in 20 cases of hyperthyroidism.
Iodine supplements Iodine contained in the food you eat is used by your thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Amiodarone Amiodarone is a type of medication known as an anti-arrhythmic, which helps to control an irregular heartbeat atrial fibrillation.
Follicular thyroid cancer In rare cases, you may develop an overactive thyroid as a result of thyroid cancer that starts in your thyroid follicles.
Diagnosing an overactive thyroid See your GP if you think you may have an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism. Thyroid function tests Your GP will take a sample of your blood and test it for levels of: thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH thyroxine and triiodothyronine the thyroid hormones TSH is made in the pituitary gland in your brain and controls the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. When the level of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in your blood are normal, your pituitary gland releases a normal level of TSH.
When thyroid hormone production becomes excessive, the pituitary gland stops releasing TSH. When the level of thyroxine or triiodothyronine drops, the pituitary gland produces more TSH to boost it. Subclinical overactive thyroid gland In some cases, tests may show you have normal thyroid hormone levels, but low or suppressed levels of TSH. However, you will need a further thyroid function test so your condition can be monitored.
Determining the underlying cause If tests confirm an overactive thyroid gland, you may be referred for further tests to determine the underlying cause. A scan is then used to measure how much of the isotope has been absorbed by your thyroid gland. If the amount is low, the underlying cause could be due to: swelling inflammation of the thyroid gland thyroiditis , often caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking thyroid tissue or, less commonly, by infection having too much iodine in your diet in rare cases, thyroid cancer.
Treating an overactive thyroid If you are diagnosed with an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism , your GP will refer you to a specialist in hormonal conditions endocrinologist to plan your treatment. The most widely used treatments for an overactive thyroid are outlined below. Thionamides Thionamides, such as carbimazole and propylthiouracil, are a common treatment.
Around 1 in 20 people will experience side effects when they first start taking thionamides, such as: itchy skin rash joint pain These side effects should pass once your body is used to the effects of the medication. Symptoms of agranulocytosis include: fever gum pain, swelling and bleeding sore throat mouth ulcers persistent cough shortness of breath If you are taking thionamides and you experience any of the symptoms above, call your GP immediately for advice and an urgent blood test.
Beta-blockers Beta-blockers, such as propranolol or atenolol, can relieve some of the symptoms of an overactive thyroid, including tremor shaking and trembling , rapid heartbeat and hyperactivity.
Beta-blockers can sometimes cause side effects, including: feeling sick feeling tired all the time fatigue cold hands and feet trouble sleeping, sometimes with nightmares Radioiodine treatment Radioiodine treatment is a form of radiotherapy used to treat most types of overactive thyroid. Thionamides or radioiodine? Both treatments have advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of thionamides include: They are straightforward to take and you do not have to go to hospital to take them.
There is less risk of getting an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism as a result of treatment. Disadvantages of thionamides include: Treatment may not be as successful as radioiodine treatment. There is a higher risk of side effects. Advantages of radioiodine treatment include: Treatment is usually very successful. Disadvantages of radioiodine treatment include: There is a higher chance of your thyroid gland becoming underactive as a result of treatment.
Radioiodine treatment is usually not suitable for people with additional symptoms affecting their eyes Graves' ophthalmopathy. Women have to avoid getting pregnant for at least six months, and men should not father a child for at least four months after treatment. Surgery Surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland is known as a total or partial thyroidectomy.
Other reasons for surgery include: A person cannot be treated with radioiodine treatment as they are pregnant and are unable or unwilling to take thionamides. A person has a severe form of Graves' ophthalmopathy.
The symptoms return relapse after a previous successful course of treatment with thionamides. Complications of an overactive thyroid Several complications can occur with an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism , particularly if the condition is not treated. Graves' ophthalmopathy If you have Graves' disease, you may have problems with your eyes. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap PMID: pubmed. Management of hyperthyroidism.
Current Surgical Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; Weiss RE, Refetoff S. Thyroid function testing. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. Learn more about A. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call for all medical emergencies. What are the treatments for hyperthyroidism?
The treatments for hyperthyroidism include medicines, radioiodine therapy, and thyroid surgery: Medicines for hyperthyroidism include Antithyroid medicines, which cause your thyroid to make less thyroid hormone. You probably need to take the medicines for 1 to 2 years. In some cases, you might need to take the medicines for several years. This is the simplest treatment, but it is often not a permanent cure. Beta blocker medicines, which can reduce symptoms such as tremors, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness.
They work quickly and can help you feel better until other treatments take effect. Radioiodine therapy is a common and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. It involves taking radioactive iodine by mouth as a capsule or liquid. This slowly destroys the cells of the thyroid gland that produce thyroid hormone.
It does not affect other body tissues. Almost everyone who has radioactive iodine treatment later develops hypothyroidism. This is because the thyroid hormone-producing cells have been destroyed.
But hypothyroidism is easier to treat and causes fewer long-term health problems than hyperthyroidism. Surgery to remove part or most of the thyroid gland is done in rare cases. It might be an option for people with large goiters or pregnant women who cannot take antithyroid medicines.
If you have all of your thyroid removed, you will need to take thyroid medicines for the rest of your life. Some people who have part of their thyroid removed also need to take medicines.
0コメント