The thyroid is an important organ that is responsible for metabolism, growth, and development in the human body. Patients who have hyperthyroidism have excessive thyroxine production from their thyroid gland (overactive thyroid).

Due to hyperthyroidism, the body's metabolism may accelerate, causing an unanticipated loss of weight and a quick or erratic pulse. One often tends to ignore such fluctuations in body considering them to settle down on their own, unless they escalate to higher levels.

Let’s learn certain symptoms of an overactive thyroid so as to self-alert ourselves and watch out for the same!

What Is a Thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ near the base of the neck, immediately below Adam's apple. It produces two key hormones, T3 and T4, which are necessary for our bodies to digest fats and carbs. Well, the main component making up both hormones is iodine.

Individuals who suffer from severe iodine shortage have hypothyroidism, while thyrotoxicosis is brought on by mild to moderate iodine deficiency. Iodine overload, on the other hand, has been linked to the emergence of thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism. Transient hyperthyroidism is linked to a sudden rise in iodine intake in iodine-deficient areas. A number of other factors might cause your thyroid to become hyperactive, like Graves' disease, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.

18 Signs and Symptoms of Overactive Thyroid

When your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism), it can induce a variety of symptoms that are both common and often disregarded:

1. Irritability and nervousness
2. Stress and anxiety
3. Unpredictable mood swings
4. Insomnia
5. Constant exhaustion
6. Sensitivity to heat
7. Muscle fatigue
8. Increased peeing urge
9. Persistent thirst
10. Low libido

On the other side, a person may encounter the most overlooked yet prevalent symptoms, such as

1. Neck swelling
2. Irregular heart rate
3. Excessive sweating
4. Brittle nails
5. Patchy hair loss
6. Hair thinning
7. Unexplained weight loss
8. Eye dryness

If you have any of the aforementioned symptoms, you should always have a "thyroid function test." Health specialists urge that anyone over the age of 20 get this test every year, especially if thyroid problems run in the family.

💡 Did You Know?

Hyperthyroidism causes the body's metabolism to accelerate. This can result in a variety of symptoms, including weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.

What Is A Thyroid Function Test?

A thyroid function test is a simple blood test that checks your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). A low TSH level and high T3 and/or T4 values usually indicate an overactive thyroid.

💡 Did You Know?

Females had nearly twice as many thyroid disorders as males.

If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, you will be directed to a specialist to determine the cause. They will examine your anti-thyroid antibodies as well as the inflammation in your body. You may also be asked to have a thyroid scan for the detection of any thyroid lumps.

💡 Did You Know?

Thyroid diseases, which affect almost 42 million Indians, are one of the most frequent endocrine ailments.

Food to Eat and Avoid In Hyperthyroidism

Medication and diet can help you manage hyperthyroidism. Check out the following list of what to eat and what not to eat:

What to Eat	What to Avoid
Healthy fats Low-iodine foods Cruciferous vegetables Iron-rich foods Calcium and vitamin D-rich foods	Soy-based foods Gluten Caffeine

The bottom line is to stay away from processed foods at all costs, and instead focus on herbal teas, fruits, and vegetables.

💡 Did You Know?

Diabetes, as well as an excess of iodine-containing meals, are risk factors for hyperthyroidism.

Final Note

There are many treatments available for hyperthyroidism. To limit thyroid hormone synthesis, medical experts utilise radioactive iodine and antithyroid medications. As part of the treatment for hyperthyroidism, surgery to remove all or a portion of the thyroid gland may be necessary.

Although untreated hyperthyroidism can be deadly, once it has been diagnosed and treated, the majority of individuals make a full recovery. So it is advisable to be aware of all typical symptoms. Last but not least, if you have a family history of thyroid problems, then do block your annual calendar for thyroid function tests.

 

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Dhanunjay Reddy B