What is hyperthyroidism?

Question

What is hyperthyroidism? What is the cause? How is it controlled (i.e., prescription medication)? Is it hereditary?

Answer 1

hyperthyroidism is an over active thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in your neck. A hyperthyroidism patient may have trouble gaining weight as your thyroid gland is run by your pituitary gland and controls virtually everything in your body.

I had/have hypothyroidism which is an under active thyroid gland and some of the symptoms of it was: hands/feet always cold, inability to stand the cold, weight gain, puffy face, tired all the time, lethargic, depressed, no period for months at a time, etc. low thyroid can also cause infertility if left untreated long enough and results in a low metabolism rate (a high metabolism rate in hyperthyroidism patients).

P.S. It is treated with prescription meds. Hypothyroidism patients take synthroid...a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone.

Answer 2

Hyperthyroidism simply means over-secretion of the thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland.It is an imbalance of metabolism caused by overproduction of thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It produces several hormones which control the way that every cell in the body uses energy (metabolism). The thyroid is part of the endocrine system.

Hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis occurs when the thyroid releases too many of its hormones over a short (acute) or long (chronic) period of time. Many diseases and conditions can cause this problem, including:
Graves' disease
Non-cancerous growths of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland, tumors of the testes or ovaries
Inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the thyroid due to viral infections or other causes
Ingestion of excessive amounts of thyroid hormone
Ingestion of excessive iodine
Graves' disease accounts for 85% of all cases of hyperthyroidism.

Answer 3

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which an overactive thyroid gland is producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormones that circulate in the blood.

Some common causes of hyperthyroidism include:

Graves' Disease
Functioning adenoma ("hot nodule") & Toxic Multinodular Goiter (TMNG)
Excessive intake of thyroid hormones
Abnormal secretion of TSH
Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland)
Excessive iodine intake Graves' Disease

The options for treating hyperthyroidism include:

Treating the symptoms
Antithyroid drugs
Radioactive iodine
Surgery treating symptoms

One of the main classes of drugs used to treat these symptoms is the beta-blockers (e.g., Inderal, Tenormin, Lopressor).

There are 2 main antithyroid drugs available for use in the United States, methimazole (Tapazole) and propylthiouracil ( PTU)

In the newborn infant: If mother-to-be is taking anti-thyroid medications in leu of hyperthyroidism, it is important to know these medications can be passed on to the unborn child, along with the antibodies that cause hyperthyroidism. It is possible for an abnormal blood test to appear normal due to the anti-thyroid medication crossing the placenta. These medications can mask abnormal results. To ensure the health of your new baby, it is recommended that you have your child rescreened for thyroid disease.

Because this disorder is hereditary, if you have a family history of hyperthyroidism, it is a possibility that your child may acquire this disorder at some time in his/her life.

Answer 4

Your question is difficult to answer without more knowledge of your symptoms, your physical exam, and other tests that were ordered. The answers that state that elevated TSH is assoicated with hypothyroidism are correct if the normal feedback loops that regulate thyroid function are intact, but it is possible for this feedback loop to be abnormal. In a normal individual, increased levels of thyroid hormone lead to decreased secretion of TSH by the pituitary. Conversely, low thyroid hormone levels lead to increased TSH production. However, it is possible to have a pituitary tumor that abnormally secretes TSH, in which case your TSH level would be elevated and your thyroid hormone would be elevated because the thyroid is responding normally to the TSH and the tumor producing TSH does not respond to feedback like normal pituitary tissue would. Tumors of this sort are uncommon, though, comprising only about 1-2% of pituitary adenomas. Most of the other answers given here are correct in the general sense, but I just wanted to point out that there are other scenarios. And, as a point of emphasis, it is essentially impossible to give an adequate answer pertaining to your specific condition without a lot of information that is not possible to obtain over the internet.

Answer 5

hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid is working too much and hypothyroidism is when its not working enough. I think it is usually hereditary. It is controlled by taking prescription medicine.

Answer 6

http://www.webmd.com/hw/thyroid_disorders/hw149041.asp (be sure to click next, near the bottom of the page for a lot more information, and also the "Topic Contents, to the right of the description.)

If it is caused by Graves Disease then it is hereditary, otherwise, it could be caused by bacteria or virus or ? .

You may have no symptoms at all. Or:

You may feel nervous, moody, weak, or tired.
Your hands may shake, your heart may beat fast, or you may have problems breathing.
You may be sweaty or have warm, red, itchy skin.
You may have more bowel movements than usual.
You may have fine, soft hair that is falling out.
You may lose weight even though you eat the same or more than usual.

Answer 7

I just graduated nursing school in July so I happen to still have my school books and i looked it up for you. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by abnormlly increased synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones. The most common types are Grave's Disease and multinodular goiter. Grave's disease most often develops in young women. Multinodular goiter occurs most often in women in their sixth and seventh decades. Three methods are used to treat hyperthyroidism:drug therapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Its initially treated with antithyroid drugs such as Tapazole and Lugol's solution.Graves disease is treated surgically by removing most of the thyroid gland.

Answer 8

Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/uphzC

Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).

1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.

2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

hyperthyroidism occurs when thyroid glands secret too much hormone in your body.