Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

By Author: Rob Thomas
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What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormone than the body needs. It is sometimes called thyrotoxicosis, the technical term for too much thyroid hormone in the blood. Women are much more likely to develop hyperthyroidism than men.
What causes hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism has various causes, including
Graves’ disease
one or more thyroid nodules
thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland
ingesting too much iodine
overmedicating with synthetic thyroid hormone, which is used to treat underactive thyroid
Not often, hyperthyroidism is caused by a pituitary adenoma, which is a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. In this case, hyperthyroidism is due to too much TSH.
Although there are various causes of hyperthyroidism, most of the symptoms patients experience are the same regardless of the purpose.
Because the body's metabolism is increased , patients often feel hotter than those around them and can slowly lose weight although they can be eating more. The ...
... weight issue is confusing sometimes since some patients actually gain weight because of an expansion in their appetite.
Patients with hyperthyroidism usually experience fatigue at the end of the day, but has trouble sleeping. Trembling of the hands and a hard heartbeat (called palpitations) may form. These individuals may become irritable and easily upset. When hyperthyroidism is severe , patients can suffer shortness of breath, chest pain, and muscle weakness.
Usually the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are so gradual in their onset that patients don't realize the reactions until they become more severe . This means the symptoms may continue for weeks or months before patients fully realize that they are ill. In older people, some or all of the typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be absent, and the patient may just lose weight or become depressed.
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is suggested by various signs and symptoms; however, patients with mild disease usually experience no reactions. In patients older than 70 years, the usual signs and symptoms also may be absent. In general, the reactions become more obvious as the degree of hyperthyroidism increases . The reactions generally are related to an increase in the metabolic rate of the body.
General symptoms include:
Excessive sweating
Heat intolerance
Increased bowel movements
Tremor (usually fine shaking)
Nervousness; agitation
Speedy heart rate
Palpitations
Insomnia
Breathlessness
Light or absent menstrual periods
Tiredness
Weight loss
Muscle weakness
Warm moist skin
Hair loss
Staring gaze
Remember, the words "signs" and "symptoms" have different medical meanings. Reactions are those problems that a patient notices or feels. Signs are those things that physicians can objectively detect . For instance, a patient will feel hot; this is a symptom . The physician will touch the patient's skin and note that it is warm and moist, this is a sign.
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