Hyperthyroidism

About Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. The most common cause is Graves disease, an autoimmune condition in which antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor. Other causes include toxic multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, and thyroiditis. Graves disease affects women 5 to 10 times more often than men and frequently occurs in the third to fourth decade of life. Symptoms include weight loss despite increased appetite, rapid heartbeat tachycardia, heat intolerance, sweating, nervousness, anxiety, tremor, insomnia, frequent bowel movements, and in women, irregular menstrual periods. Graves ophthalmopathy, involving bulging eyes exophthalmos, affects approximately 30 percent of Graves patients. Diagnosis is made through blood tests showing suppressed TSH and elevated free T4 and or T3, with thyroid receptor antibody TRAb confirming Graves disease. Treatment options include antithyroid drugs methimazole or propylthiouracil, radioactive iodine ablation, and surgical thyroidectomy. Beta blockers propranolol control symptoms acutely. Each treatment has risks and benefits, and the choice depends on patient factors and preferences.