The overactive thyroid usually presents with abnormally high production of thyroid hormones, which is medically termed as Hyperthyroidism. When we synthesize too many thyroid hormones, our metabolism speeds up which may occasionally present as, abrupt loss of weight, palpitations, lot of sweating and feeling nervous or moody; or there may not be any symptoms at all.
Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Usually Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism go hand in hand. In Graves’ disease our immune system becomes foes with thyroid gland and starts attacking which leads to over-stimulation and over production of thyroid hormones.
The general symptoms are: feeling of anxiety and nervousness sometimes even feeling breathless, faster rate of heart beating, unusual loss of weight, more frequent bowel movements, feeling hot and sweaty and most important and horrifying thinning and fall out of hair. Apart from these blood tests make the final diagnosis, TSH is usually low, while T3 and T4 are unusually high.
Fortunately there is near complete cure! Mostly it is medical management, which includes the Anti-thyroid drugs and sometimes even Radioactive Iodine. When on Radioactive Iodine therapy you should not plan for a baby for at least 6 months and not breastfeed too. Surgery is needed only if the thyroid gland is too big that it is causing hindrance to breathing and swallowing.
-Koya Satyasri
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