Which of the following signs and symptoms are associated with hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, happens when your thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. Show
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It makes hormones that control the way the body uses energy. These hormones affect nearly every organ in your body and control many of your body's most important functions. For example, they affect your breathing, heart rate, weight, digestion, and moods. If not treated, hyperthyroidism can cause serious problems with your heart, bones, muscles, menstrual cycle, and fertility. But there are treatments that can help. What causes hyperthyroidism?Hyperthyroidism has several causes. They include:
Who is at risk for hyperthyroidism?You are at higher risk for hyperthyroidism if you:
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?The symptoms of hyperthyroidism can vary from person to person and may include:
Adults over age 60 may have different symptoms than younger adults. For example, they may lose their appetite or withdraw from other people. Sometimes this can be mistaken for depression or dementia. What other problems can hyperthyroidism cause?If hyperthyroidism isn't treated, it can cause some serious health problems, including:
How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis:
What are the treatments for hyperthyroidism?The treatments for hyperthyroidism include medicines, radioiodine therapy, and thyroid surgery:
If you have hyperthyroidism, it's important not to get too much iodine. Talk to your health care provider about which foods, supplements, and medicines you need to avoid. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Start Here
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National Institutes of HealthThe primary NIH organization for research on Hyperthyroidism is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
DisclaimersMedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines. What are the following signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism?Symptoms of an overactive thyroid can include:. nervousness, anxiety and irritability.. hyperactivity – you may find it hard to stay still and have a lot of nervous energy.. mood swings.. difficulty sleeping.. feeling tired all the time.. sensitivity to heat.. muscle weakness.. diarrhoea.. What is hyperthyroidism associated with?Graves' disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Although a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is a common cause.
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