Q: What Are The Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces or excretes too much thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone affects every part of the body and plays a vital role in how the body uses energy, manages weight, and maintains temperature.
An excess of thyroid hormone can essentially amp up your body. While that may initially give you more energy, if left untreated, your body will begin to wear down leaving you exhausted and depleted.
Hyperthyroidism can present with a variety of symptoms, but there are some commons ones to watch out for.
Common Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
It’s easy for hyperthyroidism symptoms to fly under the radar. It’s common for everyone to feel fatigued or irritable at times. But, if you feel that way regularly, or notice a combination of these symptoms, it’s worth exploring further.
Here are the most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Trouble sleeping
- Rapid heart rate
- Increased sweating
- Shaky hands
- Fatigue and muscle weakness
- Weight loss
- Irritability or mood swings
- Diarrhea
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor for an evaluation. A simple blood test may be used to check your thyroid hormone level.
Risk Factors for Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid disorders are much more common in women than men. In fact, women are between 2 to 10 times more likely to develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime.
Other risk factors include:
- Being over the age of 60
- Family history
- History of thyroid surgery or goiter
- Pregnancy within the last 6 months
- Type 1 diabetes or adrenal insufficiency
- High iodine intake
If you have any of these risk factors, your doctor may regularly monitor your thyroid.
Treating Hyperthyroidism
Thankfully, there are many effective treatments for hyperthyroidism. Options may include medications to block the production of thyroid hormones or surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland.
The right treatment for you will depend on your health history and risk factors.
Your doctor is the best resource to diagnose and treat a thyroid disorder. A skilled endocrinology team can work with you to create a care plan that will keep you healthy for life.
