What is hyperthyroidism, and how is it diagnosed?
Autore:Top Doctors recently chatted with highly qualified and experienced consultant endocrinologist, Dr Teng-Teng Chung, to talk all about hyperthyroidism, including the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism means an overactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland sits at the front of your neck and is a butterfly shaped gland. It produces the thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone is required to keep your metabolism normal and, therefore, cells require it to function normally. In hyperthyroidism, you produce more thyroid hormone than the body requires.
Symptoms usually include:
- unintentional weight loss
- palpitations/fast heart beat
- sweating and heat intolerance
- trembling hands
- diarrhoea
- irritability/anxiety/disturbed sleep
- irregular periods
- tiredness and feeling weak
- a change in the appearance of your eyes
- an enlarged thyroid gland
What are the most common causes?
The most common cause is when your immune system does not recognise your thyroid cells, and, as a result, destroys them. Another cause is elevated levels of pregnancy hormone (βHCG), seen in severe morning sickness. This can cause a transient hyperthyroidism, which often settles after the first trimester.
How is it diagnosed?
It is easily diagnosed through a simple but accurate blood test to check thyroid function. Normally, in an overactive thyroid, your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level is decreased (below the reference range) and thyroxine (T4) is high (above the reference range). Antibody levels (TSH receptor antibodies) will also be checked.
What is the outlook in terms of treatment?
Anti-thyroid medication in the form of tablets such as carbimazole or propylthiouracil can be highly effective. Treatment needs to be taken every day for a minimum of between 12 to 18 months. Other treatment options include surgery to remove the thyroid gland, or, in some cases, patients are more suited to radioactive iodine, a radioactive tablet taken to suppress the thyroid gland.
If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Teng-Teng Chung, simply head on over to her Top Doctors profile to do exactly that today.
