Overactive thyroid gland-10 key symptoms
What is the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is situated in the front of your neck- it makes thyroid hormone which regulates growth and how your body spends energy. While a lot of people, particularly women, get hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), less commonly an overactive thyroid gland can occur, leading to hyperthyroidism.
What are the signs of an overactive thyroid gland?
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid or “hyperthyroidism” include
- Unexplained weight loss
- Rapid heartbeat and palpitations
- Sweating and feeling hot
- A feeling of nervousness
- Thinning of the hair
- A tremor (shake) in the hands
- Changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle
- Diarrhoea
- Insomnia and tiredness
- A goitre (a swelling in the front of the neck)
Why do people get an overactive thyroid?
There are several conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism.
- Grave’s disease is the most common- this is an autoimmune condition, when antibodies mistakenly attack the thyroid, leading to high amounts of thyroid hormone being released into the body.
- In other cases, there may be a nodule in the thyroid that makes too much thyroid hormone, or the thyroid becomes generally inflamed for some reason (this is known as thyroiditis), causing it to become overactive.
- Postpartum thyroiditis can occur in the months after women give birth.
- Also, if a person is on medication for hypothyroidism, they may go to the other extreme and develop hyperthyroidism if they take too much!
How is an overactive thyroid diagnosed ?
- A blood test known as a TFT (thyroid function test) will confirm the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
- Sometimes your doctor might check your blood for thyroid auto-antibodies, or may request an ultrasound of the thyroid gland if you have any enlargement or swelling in your neck.
- You may also be referred to a specialist- an endocrinologist.
How is an overactive thyroid gland treated?
- There are different types of treatment for hyperthyroidism.
- Medications to lessen the high thyroid hormone levels may be prescribed.
- For symptom control, a beta-blocker tablet may be used to reduce tremor and fast heartbeat.
- Sometimes radioactive iodine treatment or surgery are required to permanently cure the problem.
- To decide which of these options are right for you, your GP is likely to refer you for a specialist opinion (an endocrinologist or thyroid specialist).
What are the complications of an overactive thyroid?
- Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to ongoing symptoms as noted above.
- Longer term, there can be osteoporosis ( brittle bones) and heart disease- including damage to the heart muscle and abnormal heart rhythms.
- Others may experience thyroid eye disease, with inflammation of the tissues around the eye , which may cause the eyes to develop a protruding or bulging appearance.
Does hyperthyroidism get better?
It depends on the cause. Some forms of hyperthyroidism get better over time while some may require long term treatment, radioactive iodine or surgery.
If you have concerns about hyperthyroidism, speak to your GP.
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