Hyperthyroidism

thyroid gland disease that involves an overproduction of thyroid hormone

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[1]
ComplicationsThyroid storm[2]
Usual onset20–50 years old[2]
CausesGraves' disease, multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, inflammation of the thyroid, eating too much iodine, too much synthetic thyroid hormone[1][2]
Diagnostic methodBased on symptoms and confirmed by blood tests[1]
TreatmentRadioiodine therapy, medications, thyroid surgery[1]
MedicationBeta blockers, methimazole[1]
Frequency1.2% (US)[3]
DeathsRare directly, unless thyroid storm occurs; associated with increased mortality if untreated (1.23 HR)[4]

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

Synthesis

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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.[5]

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.[6]

Symptoms

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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.[7] Medication can stop the effects of hyperthyroidism. However, hyperthyroidism cannot be fixed completely. Hyperthyroidism can occasionally cause death.[8]

References

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  1. Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Cite error: The named reference NIH2012 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  2. Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: The named reference Clin2014 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  3. Cite error: The named reference ATA2011 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  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.