Hyperthyroidism is a complicated medical condition, that can cause significant symptoms which can affect the patient’s health and quality of life, and can sometimes be severe or even life threatening. Its treatment is different depending on the cause of hyperthyroidism, patient preference, and other factors. Due to all these reasons, it is strongly recommended that hyperthyroidism is managed by an endocrinologist.
See below for some information about hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism means that there is excessive amount of thyroid hormone in your body. This can cause multiple symptoms, including tremors, heart palpitations, fast heart rate, heat intolerance, fatigue, weight loss despite increased appetite, decreased exercise tolerance, increased bowel movements, headaches, excessive sweating, nausea, etc.
There are multiple causes of hyperthyroidism, such as Graves’ disease, painless or post-partum thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, toxic adenoma or toxic multinodular goiter, central hyperthyroidism iatrogenic hyperthyroidism, etc.
When hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves’ disease, additional extrathyroidal manifestations can be seen, due to its autoimmune nature, such as:
Thyroid eye disease. This is seen in many patients with Graves’ disease, and can cause bulging of the eyes (exophthalmos), double vision, and other eye symptoms, of variable severity.
Pretibial myxedema. This is also seen in some patients with Graves’ disease, and is less common. Rash and swelling of the skin at the shins can be seen, of variable severity.
Complications of hyperthyroidism, when untreated, may include cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, osteoporosis and fractures, thyroid storm, multiorgan failure, death.
Hyperthyroidism can also complicate pregnancy, and increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature delivery, preeclampsia, fetal hyperthyroidism, neonatal hyperthyroidism, fetal goiter, etc.
There is no “one size fits all” for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Depending on the cause of hyperthyroidism and the clinical situation, different treatment options are recommended, and final treatment decision is made after presenting all the options to the patient so that an informed decision can be made.
