Highlights
- Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland overproduces hormones, experienced by approximately 3 million people in the U.S.
- Approximately half of all people with hyperthyroidism have no symptoms, and the chances of developing hyperthyroidism increase as we age.
- BidRx can help you find hyperthyroidism medication at the lowest price.
Hyperthyroidism affects millions of Americans. Yet, they rarely feel symptoms — or chalk them up to another problem — until it becomes too pressing to ignore. In this article, we’ll discuss what causes hyperthyroidism, possible symptoms you might experience, and how it’s diagnosed and treated.
What Is Hyperthyroidism?
With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, causing changes to your metabolism. Approximately 1% of the U.S. population over age 12 has some form of hyperthyroidism, making it one of the more common endocrine disorders.
Hyperthyroidism Causes
Hyperthyroidism has a few common causes, which often need to be diagnosed and treated separately.
The most common causes of hyperthyroidism include:
- Graves’ disease. The majority of hyperthyroid cases are caused by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that aggravates the thyroid and is most famous for making the eyes appear to bulge. In Graves’, the immune system binds to receptors in the thyroid, sending hormone production into overdrive.
- Thyroiditis. An inflammation of the thyroid gland, thyroditis is also caused by the immune system, in this case when it attacks the thyroid. Why this happens is unknown, but the thyroid overproduces hormones to compensate for the damage.
- Benign or cancerous growths. A growth on the pituitary gland or the thyroid itself can also push the gland to generate more hormones. If one grows on the thyroid, it can become “hot” or begin producing hormones in addition to the hormones already being generated.
In rare cases, there are congenital concerns with a larger thyroid, or external factors such as diet or medication. These three causes, however, are responsible for the vast majority of hyperthyroidism cases.
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
Hyperthyroidism can often be asymptomatic at first, with symptoms developing and getting more intense only over a long period of time. It’s also common to mistake symptoms for another problem.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Irritability
- Weakness of the muscles
- Difficulty sleeping
- Rapid heartbeat
- A reduced ability to deal with high temperatures
- Diarrhea
- Swelling or engorgement of the thyroid
- Tremors in the hands
- Weight loss
If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms and don’t have any other problems or diseases that might explain them, contact your doctor and ask for a thyroid hormone test.
Hyperthyroidism Diagnosis
Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed by testing for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. TSH is generated by the pituitary gland and regulates thyroid hormone production. The test looks for an abnormally low level of TSH and high levels of the hormones T3 and T4. If the body senses there’s too much thyroid hormone, it tells the pituitary gland to reduce TSH and to keep reducing it until levels are in balance.
To narrow down the cause, your provider will test your blood for specific antibodies and order a radioactive iodine test. An overactive thyroid takes up more iodine than one operating at normal levels, so the speed and overall uptake of the iodine can tell your doctor what’s happening in the gland.
If the results come back with very little TSH but a high level of thyroxine, that indicates subclinical hyperthyroidism, and you’ll need to schedule regular checkups. The chances of a subclinical diagnosis increase with age.
Hyperthyroidism Risk Factors
There are several risk factors for hyperthyroidism. They include:
- Genetics. A family history of thyroid concerns, such as Graves’ or benign masses on the thyroid, raises the likelihood of getting hyperthyroidism. If you have a family history of Graves’ or goiter (an enlarged thyroid notable for a swelling in the neck), regular thyroid testing is recommended.
- Female sex. Women have a higher risk of hyperthyroidism due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.
- Diet. In rare cases, too much iodine or thyroid in the diet can also cause hyperthyroidism, usually from seafood or organ meat.
Hyperthyroidism Complications
Possible complications depend on your symptoms and can be dangerous if you’re not treating them.
- Blood clots. The irregular heartbeat raises the chances of blood clots forming, increasing the odds for heart attack, stroke and other heart issues.
- Infertility. For people looking to become pregnant, hyperthyroidism can raise fertility concerns and cause problems with the menstrual cycle.
- Musculoskeletal weakness. Weaker muscles and thinner bones can cause osteoporosis and make age-related muscle decline more difficult to live with.
- Thyroid storm. In extreme situations, hyperthyroidism can drive your metabolism with a very rapid heartbeat and high body temperature, which can be fatal.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism generally is of concern as a risk factor for other problems, like fall injury or heart disease, although doctors have differing opinions on treatment.
Hyperthyroidism Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of the case and the overall risk to the patient. For more extreme cases, doctors generally use radioiodine therapy. In this procedure, you ingest a small amount of the isotope iodine-131, which is highly radioactive. When the thyroid absorbs this iodine, it kills all or part of the gland, and the resulting hypothyroidism is treated with hormone replacement.
Surgery is also an option, which removes some or all of the thyroid, but the risks to the patient generally mean surgical intervention is considered a last resort.
For less severe cases, your doctor will prescribe anti-thyroid medication (thyrostatics) and beta-blockers. Thyrostatics block the production of thyroid hormones and the activation of hormones. Beta-blockers help reduce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including fast heartbeat and tremors. Some have a modest effect on thyroid hormones as well.
Get the Lowest Price on Thyroid Medication With BidRx
Hyperthyroidism isn’t usually fatal, but it increases the risks associated with more dangerous conditions like heart disease or osteoporosis. Treating hyperthyroidism improves your quality of life and helps limit your risk.
BidRx makes it easy to get the hyperthyroidism treatment you need. You can create a bid, and pharmacies across the country will compete for your business, securing a lower price for you. You can choose convenient shipping right to your door or pick up your medication if you choose a bid from a local pharmacy.
