One might be familiar with the term thyroid. And might have undoubtedly come across a related term - Hyperthyroidism. But are you aware of the actual meaning? Hyperthyroidism is more commonly known as an overactive thyroid. But, just as the name suggests, it occurs when your thyroid releases high thyroid hormone levels. Eventually, the condition speeds up one’s metabolism.
The main hormones that come into play during hyperthyroidism are triiodothyronine and thyroxine. Furthermore, the condition can also affect the patient’s entire body and needs supervision and treatment by a healthcare provider.
Importance of Thyroid
A butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck is a thyroid gland. These can usually be found all over the body. Subsequently, the thyroid gland plays a significant role in assisting some of the main functions of the human body, such as Body temperature regulation, Heart rate control, Metabolism control, and more.
You may like to read: What is Vascular Surgery? Find the Best Vascular Surgeon in India
Hyperthyroidism vs Hypothyroidism
Both of these medical conditions are linked to the amount of thyroid released by one’s body. The difference lies in how much. As the word ‘hyper’ suggests, the thyroid secretion becomes hyper in your body under hyperthyroidism. On the other hand, the word hypo means not enough or low. Therefore, hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid is underactive and does not release the adequate thyroid needed by the body.
Hyperthyroidism Occurrence
The condition of Hyperthyroidism can occur to anyone. However, it is more common in females. Additionally, the commonality of the condition is relatively rare. A minor chunk of the population is diagnosed.
Hyperthyroidism Diagnosis
The detection of Hyperthyroidism is possible after a check-up. But, the detection is possible through symptoms that can impact the entire body. One may not experience all of these at the same time. The list of Hyperthyroidism symptoms includes:
Palpitations, Feeling shaky, Increased appetite, Vision changes, Diarrhea, Weight loss, Moist and warm skin, Excessive sweating and heat intolerance, Sleep issues, Menstrual alterations, Enlargement or swelling in the neck, Hair loss or change in texture, Bulging of eyes, Muscle weakness.
While one might not experience all of these symptoms in the same moderation, paying attention and taking action is essential. Firstly, detection of symptoms starts in one’s daily life. Secondly, a doctor consultation is recommended. Visit your nearest ENT Clinics: Find ENT Specialist for Thyroid Disease.
A healthcare provider conducts a hyperthyroidism check by following several stages. This is to say that the process starts with a physical exam of the neck to check if the thyroid is larger than usual. Subsequently, it is followed by blood tests to detect high thyroid levels in the body. Furthermore, the process might also require imagining tests for the thyroid. The physical examination includes checking one’s thyroid, the eyes, the hands, the skin, and the heart.
Coming to the next stage, the examination calls for specific blood tests. At this level, thyroid function testing comes into play, and an examiner might require a blood sample. As a result, in cases of detection of hyperthyroidism, the T3 and T4 levels are found above average, and the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone is found lower.
In addition, the examination can also require several imagining tests to provide a closer look at one’s thyroid. These can include procedures such as a Radioactive Iodine Uptake test, Thyroid scan, and thyroid ultrasound.
But, you might be wondering what the root of this condition is. So, let us clear that out and discuss the causes.
Causes Of Hyperthyroidism
Several conditions and situations that can lead to the condition include:
- Graves’ Disease - This is a disorder where one’s immune system attacks the thyroid and makes it creates an excess of the hormone. There’s only so much one can do to avoid this condition because it is a hereditary condition. Certainly, it is more common in females by birth and is the most common cause of Hyperthyroidism.
- Thyroid Nodules - This is the lump or cell growth found in the thyroid gland which produces hormones in excess. To clarify, thyroid nodules are rarely cancerous.
- Excess Iodine - This is one of the key mineral ingredients in T3 and T4. Excess to Iodine can lead to temporary hyperthyroidism. Most commonly, foods such as fish and dairy can be the primary cause, and several medications.
- Thyroiditis - This signifies the inflammation of the thyroid gland, which might be painless or painful. Moreover, thyroiditis often occurs within a year of delivering a baby.
Hyperthyroidism Treatment
Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, treatment for Hyperthyroidism varies for every individual. The healthcare provider may suggest options such as Antithyroid drugs, Radioactive iodine, Surgery, and Beta-blockers. We Recommend Apollo for Thyroid checkup: Read about Apollo Health Checkup Cost, Find Apollo Clinics and Pharmacy Stores In India
Likewise, the duration it takes for the treatment also depends upon the cause and the adopted solution. Therefore, the amount of time can vary from individual to individual. Generally, treatment with medications takes about six to 12 weeks. On the other hand, higher doses of Iodine drops can normalize the thyroid levels in 10 days.
However, the treatments mentioned above are all temporary solutions. If the condition calls for it, one might require a permanent solution such as surgery. Nevertheless, it is the most effective and definite way to treat hyperthyroidism.
But, one should also be aware of the risks and implications of hyperthyroidism treatments. These procedures risk several side effects that must be discussed with a practitioner. The same can include medication side effects, lower chances of cancer due to radioactive materials and infection, or other complications due to surgery.
In most cases, the thyroid treatment is followed by intake of replacement thyroid hormone for a lifetime because most of these treatments reduce the thyroid levels to a significant low.
