Why overactive thyroid

Eye problems often improve without treatment. If you experience unexplained weight loss, a rapid heartbeat, unusual sweating, swelling at the base of your neck or other signs and symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, see your doctor.

It's important to completely describe the changes you've observed, because many signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism may be associated with a number of other conditions. If you've been treated for hyperthyroidism or you currently are being treated, see your doctor regularly as advised so that he or she can monitor your condition. Your thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck, just below the Adam's apple.

Hyperthyroidism can be caused by a number of conditions, including Graves' disease, Plummer's disease and thyroiditis. Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. The thyroid gland has an enormous impact on your health. Every aspect of your metabolism is regulated by thyroid hormones. Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3 , that influence every cell in your body. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate the production of protein.

Your thyroid also produces a hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood calcitonin. Normally, your thyroid releases the right amount of hormones, but sometimes it produces too much T4. This may occur for a number of reasons, including:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Radioactive iodine shrinks your thyroid gland, reducing the amount of thyroid hormone it can produce.

Radioiodine treatment is given either as a drink or a capsule to swallow. The dose of radioactivity in the radioiodine is very low and is not harmful. Radioiodine treatment is not suitable if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and may not be suitable if you have eye problems, such as double vision or prominent bulging eyes.

Women should avoid getting pregnant for at least six months after having radioiodine treatment. Men should not father a child for at least four months after having radioiodine treatment. Most people only require a single dose of radioiodine treatment. If a further follow-up dose is required, it is usually given 6 to 12 months after the first dosage. A short course of thionamides treatment may be given a few weeks before radioiodine treatment, as this can lead to a more rapid relief of symptoms.

In some cases, a particular treatment may be recommended based on factors such as your age, symptoms and the amount of extra thyroid hormone in your blood. However, there may be circumstances when you are offered a choice between a long-term course of thionamides or radioiodine treatment.

You should discuss the potential risks and benefits of both types of treatment with the specialist in charge of your care. Surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland is known as a total or partial thyroidectomy.

It is a permanent cure for recurrent overactive thyroid. Your specialist may recommend surgery if your thyroid gland is severely swollen a large goitre and is causing problems in your neck. It is normally recommended that the entire thyroid gland is removed, as this means there will be no chance of a relapse. However, you will need to take medication for the rest of your life to compensate for the lack of a functioning thyroid gland — these will be the same medications used to treat an underactive thyroid gland.

Several complications can occur with an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism , particularly if the condition is not treated. If you have Graves' disease, you may have problems with your eyes. This is known as Graves' ophthalmopathy and is thought to be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the tissues of the eyes. If you do develop Graves' ophthalmopathy, you will probably be referred to an eye specialist ophthalmologist for treatment. Some women are pregnant when they are first diagnosed with an overactive thyroid gland.

Pregnant women with an overactive thyroid are at an increased risk of developing complications during pregnancy and birth, such as miscarriage and eclampsia. They are also more at risk of going into labour prematurely and having a baby with a low birthweight. Pregnant women will need specialist treatment, so the condition should be managed using medications that don't affect the baby.

This is likely to be a medication called propylthiouracil. In many cases, treatment causes the thyroid gland to release levels of hormones that are too low. An underactive thyroid gland is treated using medications to help replicate the effects of the thyroid hormones. Read more about the treating an underactive thyroid gland.

An undiagnosed or poorly controlled overactive thyroid can lead to a rare but serious reaction called a thyroid storm. It affects around 1 in people with an overactive thyroid gland. A thyroid storm is a severe and sudden flare-up of symptoms caused by the metabolism going into overdrive, often due to triggers such as:. A thyroid storm is a medical emergency.

If you think you or someone in your care is experiencing this complication, you need to call for an ambulance. Home Illnesses and conditions Glands Overactive thyroid. Overactive thyroid See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About overactive thyroids 2. Symptoms of an overactive thyroid 3. Causes of an overactive thyroid 4. Diagnosing an overactive thyroid 5. Treating an overactive thyroid 6.

Complications of an overactive thyroid. About overactive thyroids Overactive thyroid also known as hyperthyroidism is a relatively common hormonal condition that occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the body. Read more about the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland What causes an overactive thyroid gland? Read more about the causes of an overactive thyroid gland Treatment An overactive thyroid usually responds well to treatment, and most people are able to control their symptoms.

The three most widely used treatments for an overactive thyroid gland are: thionamides — a group of medications, including carbimazole and methimazole, that stop the thyroid gland producing too much thyroid hormone radioiodine treatment — a radioactive substance called iodine that helps shrink the thyroid gland, reducing its activity the radiation contained in iodine is a very low dose and does not pose a threat to health surgery — in a small number of cases surgery may be required to remove some or all of the thyroid gland, particularly if there is a large goitre Beta-blockers may also sometimes be used to temporarily relieve many symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland, although it doesn't target the thyroid gland itself.

Read more about the treatment of an overactive thyroid gland Complications Around 1 in 20 people with Graves' disease will also develop symptoms affecting their eyes, such as: double vision sensitivity to light photophobia tearing excess production of tears This is known as Graves' ophthalmopathy and should be seen by a doctor who specialises in treating eye conditions an ophthalmologist.

Read more about the complications of an overactive thyroid gland Who is affected Women are 10 times more likely to have an overactive thyroid gland than men. Damage to your health may be ongoing without you realizing it. Discuss all the risks and benefits of various treatment options before committing to one approach. The sooner you start to deal with hyperthyroidism, the less long-term harm it can cause.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that requires medical management, but some natural treatment options may help your symptoms or complement other…. The hormone testosterone is important for muscle mass, fat loss and health. Here are 8 natural ways to increase testosterone levels, backed by science. Learn the symptoms and your treatment…. Eyes that bulge, or protrude, could be a sign of a serious medical condition. Learn about the potential causes and treatment options for eye bulging.

Any of the three vaccines authorized in the U. Experts say the extra protection will help get us closer to herd immunity. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Causes of hyperthyroidism in men. Prevention For most people, there is little that can be done to prevent the development of hyperthyroidism. Sporadic cases: Most cases are considered sporadic, meaning that they occur unexpectedly without an obvious trigger.

Potentially preventable cases: Several specific causes could potentially be avoided such as pregnancy or overconsumption of thyroid hormone supplements. When to seek further consultation for hyperthyroidism While most cases of an overactive thyroid are mild and can be managed at your convenience, it is always safer to seek professional medical assistance if you are concerned about symptoms you are experiencing.

Racing or irregular heartbeat Fainting Swelling of the neck, particularly if it impairs swallowing or breathing Significant, unexplained weight loss Vision loss or significant eye pain If you are concerned about any of these symptoms and unable to reach your doctor, the safest thing would be to call an ambulance or seek urgent attention at your local emergency department.

Questions your doctor may ask to determine overactive thyroid Have you been feeling more tired than usual, lethargic or fatigued despite sleeping a normal amount? Do you have trouble sleeping? Have you had any changes in your weight? When was your last menstrual period?

Are you having difficulty concentrating or thinking through daily activities? Share your story. Submit story. Request sent successfully. An error occurred, please try again later. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In , Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP Read full bio. Was this article helpful? Read this next. Slide 1 of 5.

Involuntary Movements. Understand your involuntary movements symptoms, including 7 causes and common questions. Read more. Diarrhea is loose or watery stool, or having a stool at least 3 times in 24 hours. Common causes include viral gastroenteritis, bacterial infection, C. Diff colitis, medications, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease. Skin Conditions. Feeling Itchy or Tingling All Over. Are you feeling itchy or tingling all over the body?

You may be experiencing a skin-related issue like dermatitis or eczema, an allergic reaction from a certain food or plant, or you may be having a symptom of anxiety or depression. Unexplained itching all over the body can also be caused by kidney disease or scabies. Irritability is defined as reacting strongly to stimuli that aren't worthy of that reaction. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.

Updated Dec. MedlinePlus Link Hyperthyroidism.