Introduction

Hyperthyroidism, also known as overactive thyroid, is a medical condition which occurs produces and releases high levels of thyroid hormones. It increases the rate at which metabolic process happen in the body, thereby affecting health of an individual in various ways.

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-like gland that is found in front of the windpipe. It makes and produces thyroid hormones.

 

 Key Facts & Statistics

What are the key facts and statistics about hyperthyroidism?

• It is a rare condition, affecting less than 1.5% of the total population in the US.
• It is estimated that 1 in 100 persons who are more than 12 years in the United States suffer from this condition.
• Over 70% of overactive thyroid cases are caused by Grave’s disease.
• For individuals on treatment with anti-thyroid medications, the American Thyroid Association estimates that around 30% of persons with Grave’s disease exhibit remission of symptoms when receiving treatment for 1 to 1.5 years.

 

 Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for hyperthyroidism?

• The following are risk elements for hyperthyroidism and therefore they increase the likelihood of an individual developing this condition:

1. Positive family history of thyroid disorders.
2. Smoking.
3. Pregnancy.
4. Being a woman or female assigned gender at birth (AFAB). this condition is 10 times more likely to affect women as compared to men.
5. Age. Being 60 years and above.
6. Having type 1 diabetes.
7. Having pernicious anaemia.

 

 Causes

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?

• The main causative factor for hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune condition referred to as Grave’s disease. This condition makes the thyroid gland to become overactive.
• Other causes are:

1. Excessive iodine intake. Consumption of iodine in much amounts through foods or medicines can lead to increased production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.
2. Thyroid nodules. Lumps in the thyroid gland can sometimes lead to release of excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.
3. Intake of certain medicines. Amiodarone, which is a class III anti-arrhythmic agent, can cause hyperthyroidism.
4. Thyroiditis. This refers to inflammation of the thyroid gland and can be a cause of temporary hyperparathyroidism.
5. Thyrotropinoma. It is also referred to as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)- releasing pituitary adenoma. It is a growth that can be found in the pituitary gland and caused excessive release of TSH; which then overstimulates the thyroid gland leading to production of excess thyroid hormone.

 

 Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

• Hyperthyroidism can affect the whole body.
• There are varied manifestations and indicators. These are:

1. Tachycardia.
2. Raised blood pressure.
3. Increased perspiration and heat sensitivity.
4. Anxiety.
5. Hand tremors.
6. Sleeping problems.
7. Goiter, which is neck swelling and enlargement.
8. Swollen eyes.
9. Irregular menses.

 Diagnostic Procedures  & Tests

How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?

• Patient history-taking. Review of presenting symptoms, family history and medical history.
• Physical examination. The health-care specialist checks for indicators of hyperthyroidism such as tachycardia and enlargement of the thyroid gland.
• Thyroid blood tests. These are conducted to check for the levels of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. Usually, expectations in hyperthyroidism are:

1.  Higher than normal levels of T3 and T4.
2.  Lower than normal levels of TSH, although this is not always the case.

• Thyroid antibody blood test. This is used to confirm if the cause is Grave’s disease.
• Imaging tests of the thyroid. Examples are:

1.  Thyroid ultrasound.
2.  Radioactive iodine uptake test and scan.

 

 Treatment and Management

 Curing hyperthyroidism involves permanently destroying the thyroid by use of oral radioactive iodine which is aimed at destroying the thyroid cells.

 

How is hyperthyroidism treated?

• Treatment strategies include:

1. Anti-thyroid medications.
2. Radioactive iodine therapy.
3. Surgery.
4. Beta-blockers.

 

•  Anti-thyroid drugs. Examples are methimazole and propylthiouracil.
• Radioactive iodine therapy. Oral administration of radioactive iodine as a single capsule or in a liquid dose. As earlier stated, this permanently destroys the thyroid and leads to curing of hyperthyroidism. To keep thyroid hormone levels within the normal ranges, levothyroxine must be taken for life.
• Surgical procedures. Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure conducted to get rid of all or part of the thyroid gland. Despite correcting hyperthyroidism, it caused hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism then necessitates intake of thyroid hormone medication.
• Betablockers. These class of drugs manages symptoms such as tachycardia that are associated with an overactive thyroid.

 

 Complications

What are the complications of hyperthyroidism?

• Undertreated or untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to several consequences. Some of them are:

1. Osteoporosis.
2. Congestive heart failure (CHF).
3. Atrial fibrillation.
4. Ischemic stroke.
5. Thyroid storm. Also called thyroid  or thyrotoxic crisis, it is life-threating but rare.