When thyroid glands go wrong: restoring your balance

Most people have probably heard of, or know someone with, an underactive or overactive thyroid, but how well do you understand the condition? We recently asked leading consultant endocrinologist, Dr Mark Vanderpump, to fill us in a bit more with regards to the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for an overactive thyroid. 

What is a thyroid and what does it do?

The thyroid is an endocrine gland, which means that it is responsible for secreting hormones into the body. Hormones communicate between organs to regulate a whole range of the body’s functions, everything from to respiration to sleep. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones, called triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄). They are mainly responsible for regulating your metabolism, but also have many other effects on your body temperature and heart rate, for example.     

Where is the thyroid?

The thyroid gland sits at the front of your neck, just below the Adam’s apple. The gland consists of two connected lobes and is a bit like a butterfly in shape.

What is an overactive thyroid?

An overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, causing an imbalance. The condition can affect anyone, although it is much more prevalent in women and there is a variety of possible underlying causes.

What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism has a large number of symptoms that range in severity from person to person. You are unlikely to experience all of the symptoms, however a list of the most common includes;

• Weight loss
• Anxiety
• Hair loss
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Feeling too hot
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Diarrhoea
• Swelling in the neck
• Itchiness

These are by no means all of the symptoms of an overactive thyroid. A doctor can usually diagnose the condition based on your symptoms and a blood sample.

What causes hyperthyroidism?

There are a number of different conditions that can cause an overactive thyroid. Grave’s disease is an autoimmune condition, whereby your immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which accounts for about three-quarters of cases. Graves’ disease tends to affect women and is known to be partially hereditary. Thyroid nodules sometimes develop on the gland causing it to become overactive. This tends to affect people over the age of 60.

Certain medications that lead to increased levels of iodine can cause the thyroid to become overactive. Thyroiditis, or an inflammation of the thyroid gland, can also lead to an overactive thyroid.

A pituitary adenoma, which is a usually benign tumour of the pituitary gland can cause hyperthyroidism. The pituitary gland is situated at the base of the brain and regulates the thyroid gland by releasing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in response to levels of thyroid hormones. 

How is it treated?

The good news is that hyperthyroidism is normally treatable. The three main types of treatment are;

1. Medication. Thionamides prevent excess hormone production by your thyroid, redressing the balance. In the short term, beta-blockers can also be prescribed to treat symptoms.

2. Radioiodine treatment. Radiation is used destroy thyroid tissue reducing the amount of hormone it can produce.

3. Surgery can remove part or all of the thyroid gland. In most cases the gland is removed entirely and you will start treatment to replace the hormones your body can no longer produce.

To schedule in an appointment today with Dr Mark Vanderpump, simply visit his Top Doctors profile.