Hyperthyroidism, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Treatment And Related Conditions

The thyroid is the gland in the center of the front neck
When you have hyperthyroidism, you will feel hot and sweat
You will lose weight in spite of your appetite increasing
You will have palpitations and difficulty in breathing

There will also be enlargement of the thyroid gland
There will be hand tremors and unusual chest pain
The most common cause is due to stress and anxiety
Other includes thyroiditis, an inflammation due to autoimmunity

Some are due to non cancerous nodules of thyroid or pituitary
Or some tumors of the testes and ovaries
Treatment is usually with anti-thyroid medication
If this fails, you will need a subtotal thyroid operation.

-An original poem by Kenneth Kee

Interesting Tips about the Hyperthyroidism

A Healthy Lifestyle

1. Take a well Balanced Diet

2. Treatment of hyperthyroidism includes:

a. Anti-thyroid drugs reduce the production of excess thyroid hormones
a. The drugs of choice are carbimazole and propylthiouracil initially on high doses then reducing down to a maintenance dose which has to be taken for 1-2 years depending on the severity of the condition.

Symptoms usually improve after 2 months but blood tests are needed to monitor the effect of the drugs.

Side effects include lowering of white cell count and concomitant infection of the throat.

b. Radioactive iodine therapy is more suitable for older patients and those who do not respond to anti-thyroid drugs and women who do not intend to have pregnancy.

The side effect of radioactive iodine is often radiation side effects which may lead to cancer of the bones 20 years down the road.

c. Surgery may be required:
i. If the hyperthyroid condition did not improve with anti-thyroid drugs
ii. If there is frequent recurrences.

3. Keep bones and body strong

Bone marrow produces our blood

Eat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables.

Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk.

Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruits

Zinc and other minerals are important to the body

4. Get enough rest and Sleep

Avoid stress and tension

5. Exercise and stay active.

It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 2½ hours a week.

One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.

Begin slowly especially if a person has not been active.

6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman.

Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.

Alcohol can affect the neurons and brain cells.

7. Stop or do not begin smoking.

It also interferes with blood supply and healing.

Chapter 1

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a very common disease among women in the clinic.

They are usually triggered by stress factors.

They normally present with an enlarged thyroid gland although 30 per cent do not.

They usually complained of feeling hot all the time even when there is rain and a very fast heart beat.
The other signs are loss of weight and tremors of the hands,

Sometimes the eyes are seen to be bulging.

Treatment with medications is usually effective

What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroid disease is a condition when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormones resulting in all the symptoms of excessive metabolism.

What are the causes of Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroid disease is caused by condition that increases the output of thyroid hormones:

A. Too much thyroid hormone.

1. Graves' disease - diffuse goiter (enlarged thyroid) caused by autoimmune antibodies stimulation of the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones.

Graves' disease is more common in young women.

2. Plummer's Disease (Toxic nodular thyroid)

Hyperactive thyroid nodules produce excess thyroid hormones especially in older women.

3. Hashimoto's Disease (Thyroiditis)