Hyperthyroidism: symptoms and causes

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Dec 30, 2021

Hyperthyroidism is also called overactive thyroid disorder, occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of thyroid hormones than what your body needs. Thyroid gland releases hormones such as T3 and T4. These hormones play an important part in your metabolism function and to regulate your body’s cells to use energy.

Whereas, excessive production of these thyroid hormones are harmful for your body, and can cause lifelong health diseases. Here are some causes and symptoms of hyperthyroidism discussed below for you.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

The signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are diverse, also these symptoms can imitate other diseases. Most common symptoms are given below.

• Increased appetite
• Weight loss
• Palpitation
• Rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Difficulties in sleeping
• Short of breath
• Hair fall
• Development of breast tissues in men
• Irregular menstrual period in women

The cause of hyperthyroidism

Our thyroid gland produces the right amount of thyroid hormones, as per our body needs. However, here are some reasons for which your thyroid gland can produce more thyroxine and triiodothyronine hormones.

• Graves’s disorder: Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder, and the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. In Grave’s disease your immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, it causes the gland to produce too much of thyroxine and triiodothyronine hormones.
• Thyroid nodules: The lumps in the thyroid glands are called thyroid nodules. These lumps in the thyroid gland can produce too much of thyroid hormones than your body needs. Cancerous nodules are very rare. Usually, thyroid nodules do not need proper treatments, but your doctor may use radioactive iodine to decrease the size of your nodules.
• Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis is the inflammation in the thyroid gland, which can be painful or painless. Any autoimmune infection can inflame or swell your thyroid gland. There are mainly three types of thyroiditis, such as subacute, postpartum and painless. Some kinds of thyroiditis can cause thyroid hormones to leak into your bloodstream. This situation can cause hyperthyroidism.
• Consumption of too much iodine: Food and medicines which contain iodine, in the long term can stimulate your thyroid to produce excessive thyroid hormones, which can increase your chances of getting overactive thyroid disorder.

Those are all the causes and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. If you are at a high risk of having hyperthyroidism, it is best to consult with a medical expert. Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause many critical health consequences such as irregular heartbeat, decreased bone density, dementia and other health concerns.