Hyper Thyroidism

• Hyperthyroidism


  A condition where your thyroid makes and releases high levels of thyroid hormone, causing your metabolism to speed up
• Graves' disease


  An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid, causing it to overproduce thyroid hormones
• Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, making up about 85% of cases
• Thyroid nodule


  A lump or growth of cells in the thyroid gland that can produce more hormones than the body needs
• Thyroiditis


  Inflammation of the thyroid gland, which may be painful or painless (silent)
• Most people who receive radioactive iodine treatment have to take thyroid hormone drugs for the rest of their lives to maintain normal hormone levels
• Thyroidectomy surgery is a very effective and definitive way to treat hyperthyroidism, but it usually leads to hypothyroidism which requires lifelong thyroid supplements
• Antithyroid medications can cause side effects like potential liver damage and severe drop in white blood cell count
• Short-term solution


  Temporary solution, likely needs more permanent solution like surgery
• Thyroidectomy


  Surgery to remove the thyroid, a very effective and definitive way to treat hyperthyroidism
• Thyroidectomy is considered a permanent solution for hyperthyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism treatments


  • Risks of side effects, important to discuss with healthcare provider and weigh advantages and disadvantages
• Risks of hyperthyroidism treatments

  • Medication side effects
  • Radioactive material side effects
  • Surgery risks
• Medication side effects


  Potential liver damage, agranulocytosis (severe drop in white blood cell count), allergic reaction
• Radioactive iodine side effects


  Possible cancer risk, can affect baby's thyroid if taken while pregnant or breastfeeding, loss of mouth sensation
• Surgery risks


  Infection, bleeding, paralysis of vocal cords, damage to parathyroid glands
• After treatment, need to take replacement thyroid hormone for life
• Complications of untreated hyperthyroidism

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Stroke
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Osteoporosis
• Hyperthyroidism is a manageable and treatable condition, most people do well with treatment
• Untreated Graves' disease hyperthyroidism may get worse over time and cause complications
• Permanent treatment for hyperthyroidism

  Removing or destroying the thyroid, requires lifelong thyroid hormone replacement medication
• Thyroid storm


  Rare but serious complication of hyperthyroidism, life-threatening emergency
• Symptoms of thyroid storm

  • High fever
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Agitation, irritability, anxiety
  • Delirium
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Loss of consciousness
• Graves' eye disease is a complication of Graves' disease hyperthyroidism that usually cannot be prevented</b>
• Hyperthyroidism can cause irregular menstrual cycles and make it difficult to get pregnant
• Hyperthyroidism can develop during pregnancy due to increased thyroid hormone needs
• Foods to avoid with hyperthyroidism

  • Seafood (fish, seaweed, crab, lobster, sushi, prawns, algae, alginate, nori, kelp)
  • Milk and dairy products
  • Cheese
  • Egg yolks
  • Iodized salt
• Hyperthyroidism is a type of thyrotoxicosis, but they are not the same thing
• Hypertrophy of the thyroid gland is called Goiter
• Prophythiouracil is a medication used to inhibit T3 and T4 hormone