How to Get Your Thyroid Gland Tostart Working Again

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.

Fundamental points about overactive thyroid

1. An overactive thyroid can crusade weight loss, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, sleep issues and depression energy.
2. Mutual causes include Graves' affliction, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis and certain medicines such every bit amiodarone.
3. If you have symptoms of an overactive thyroid, see your doctor for a diagnosis.
4. Possible treatments include medicines, radioiodine or surgery.
5. If an overactive thyroid is not treated, you could develop center problems, eye problems, osteoporosis or a life-threatening condition called thyroid storm.

Encounter your GP, go to the nearest emergency department or call 111 for an ambulance if yous or someone you lot care for has thyroid disease and experiences any of the following:

a very loftier temperature or fever very fast heart rate or palpitations shortness of breath confusion or hallucinations agitation nausea (feeling ill) or vomiting (being sick) fainting or loss of consciousness feeling very unwell. These symptoms could be a sign of very high thyroid hormone levels (known every bit thyroid storm, hyperthyroid crisis or thyrotoxic crisis). It is a medical emergency and needs firsthand handling.

What is the thyroid gland?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It produces ii thyroid hormones: tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Thyroid hormones help your trunk utilise free energy, stay warm and proceed your brain, heart, muscles and other organs working as they should.

What causes an overactive thyroid?

Thyroid problems can affect anyone, but are more than common in women than men.

An overactive thyroid can be acquired past a number of conditions:

• Graves' disease. This is the most common crusade. It is an autoimmune illness in which your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland. Sometimes this condition runs in families.
• Thyroid nodules. These are benign (not-malignant) lumps that abound on your thyroid. They can produce extra thyroid hormones. Read more than about thyroid nodules.
• Likewise much iodine in your body. This tin can be acquired by taking iodine supplements such as kelp or seaweed
• Thyroiditis (inflammation of your thyroid gland). This can be caused by a virus or can happen shortly after having a baby.
• Some medicines such as lithium or amiodarone can crusade an overactive thyroid.
• Thyroid cancer. This is rare, only a thyroid cancer can touch the production of thyroid hormones.

What are the symptoms of an overactive thyroid?

People with an overactive thyroid may have no symptoms at all, or symptoms may offset off mild and then gradually go worse.

Symptoms may include:

• losing weight, even though you are eating the aforementioned amount or more than usual
• feeling nervous, broken-hearted, moody, weak or tired
• tremor (shaky hands)
• palpitations(fast or 'thumping' heartbeat)
• issues breathing
• feeling hot and sweaty
• having looser, more frequent, bowel movements (poo) than usual
• skin problems such as a rash, itching or hair thinning
• problem sleeping
• a bloated thyroid gland, also known as goitre
• bug with your eyes or vision – this is more mutual if you have Graves' disease
• lighter or no menstrual periods.

How are the causes of an overactive thyroid diagnosed?

The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism may not exist obvious at first considering symptoms may exist mild. Come across your dr. if you have whatsoever of the symptoms noted above. Your dr. will ask you questions, including whether you are taking any medicines or supplements that may touch your thyroid gland. Your doctor will commonly practice a concrete examination and arrange blood tests which may include:

• a thyroid function test – this blood test measures your thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
• a test for TSH receptor antibody – if you accept Graves' illness, this antibody level can be high.

If blood tests show you accept an overactive thyroid, you will be referred to an endocrinologist (a specialist hormone physician).  Sometimes other tests are needed, such as a scan of your thyroid gland.

How is an overactive thyroid treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of your overactive thyroid, your historic period, the severity of your condition, other medical conditions that may be affecting your health and your ain preference. Your doctor volition discuss the best treatment option with yous.

The possible treatments for overactive thyroid are medicines, radioiodine therapy and surgery:

Medicines

• Beta-blockers such equally propranolol or metoprolol medicines reduce symptoms such as shaking, anxiety or fast heartbeat by blocking the effects of thyroid hormones on your torso. These medicines are given for a brusk time to assist yous feel amend while y'all and your doctor decide what your treatment should exist.
• Antithyroid medicines such as carbimazole work by blocking your thyroid gland from producing thyroid hormones.

Radioiodine therapy

• Radioiodine works by destroying overactive thyroid cells.
• Treatment involves taking a potable or swallowing a sheathing that contains radioactive iodine.
• Radioiodine is 1 of the safest treatments available for an overactive thyroid.
• Read well-nigh radioactive iodine therapy hither.

Surgery

• This involves an operation in which all or part of your thyroid gland is removed.
• Surgery is considered an option if other therapies and medicines have not worked.
• Surgery is also a practiced selection if you have a large neoplasm (goitre) that is causing problems with your neck.
• After yous have received handling, y'all will need follow-up blood tests to monitor your thyroid hormone levels.

Read more than almost the treatment of hyperactive thyroid.

What are the possible complications of an overactive thyroid?

If hyperthyroidism goes untreated for a long fourth dimension, information technology may pb to severe complications, which can be avoided with handling.

These include:

• heart issues such as atrial fibrillation or eye failure
• eye bug
• osteoporosis (breakable bones)
• a thyroid tempest (fever, delirium, rapid pulse or loss of consciousness) – this is an medical emergency that needs immediate treatment.

What support is available with overactive thyroid?

The NZ Thyroid Support Group provides support for people to encounter, talk and share data about thyroid disorders. Visit their website or contact them past phone: 09 480 2680.

Larn more

The following links provide farther information most overactive thyroid. Be aware that websites from other countries may have information that differs from New Zealand recommendations.

Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) HealthInfo Canterbury, NZ
Hyperthyroidism DermNet NZ
Thyroid – hyperthyroidism Better Health Channel, Australia
Hyperthyroidism, Graves' affliction and thyroid eye illness The Australian Thyroid Foundation, Australia
Overactive thyroid gland Patient Info, Uk
Overactive thyroid NHS, UK

References

1. Hyperthyroidism 3D Regional HealthPathways, NZ, 2021
2. Campbell K, Doogue M. Evaluating and managing patients with thyrotoxicosis Australian Family Physician. 2012. 41(8):564-572.
3. Direction of thyroid dysfunction in adults BPAC, NZ, 2010
4. Hyperthyroidism Patient Info, UK

Reviewed past

	Dr Alice Miller trained as a GP in the Uk and has been working in New Zealand since 2013. She has undertaken extra written report in diabetes, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and skin cancer medicine. Alice has a special interest in preventative health and self-care, which she is edifice on by studying for the Diploma of Public Wellness with the Academy of Otago in Wellington.

What are the treatment options for an overactive thyroid?

Treatment depends on the crusade of your overactive thyroid, your age, the severity of your condition, other medical conditions that may be affecting your health and your own preference. Your doctor will discuss the best treatment option with yous.

Possible treatment of an overactive thyroid include:

• medicines such every bit carbimazole
• radioactive iodine therapy
• surgery.

Handling	Carbimazole
How does it work?	Carbimazole helps to reduce the amount of thyroid hormones produced by your thyroid gland. Information technology works best if your symptoms are mild.
How long does it accept to work?	Carbimazole takes four–8 weeks to beginning working. This is because it doesn't affect the actress thyroid hormones that have already been made and stored, but reduces farther production.
What is the dose?	The dose of carbimazole needed is different from person to person. A high dose is commonly given in the beginning and is then reduced as your thyroid hormone levels come down.
How long is a course of handling?	Carbimazole is usually taken for 12–18 months at first. After this, in about half of cases, the condition volition accept settled down and the carbimazole can exist stopped. If the condition flares up again in the futurity, a further course may be needed, or an alternative treatment such as radioactive iodine may be recommended. In near half of cases, carbimazole needs to be continued long term to control symptoms. A unlike treatment may then be a improve option if yous do non want to take carbimazole long term.
Are in that location any risks?	In rare cases, carbimazole can cause a sudden drop in your white blood cells. This puts you at run a risk of picking up serious infections. Signs of an infection include high temperature (fever), chills, tiredness, sore throat, sores in your oral fissure or on your skin, feeling unwell or other flu-like symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking carbimazole, contact your physician immediately.
Treatment	Radioactive iodine therapy
How does information technology piece of work?	Radioactive iodine therapy involves taking a drinkable, or swallowing a capsule, that contains radioactive iodine. The handling works by dissentious the cells that produce the thyroid hormones in your thyroid gland. The radiation dose is very small, so information technology is a very safety and constructive treatment.
How long does it have to work?	Radioactive iodine therapy doesn't work immediately. Over a few weeks to months, radioactive iodine amercement the cells in your thyroid gland, causing it to shrink in size. For most people this so leads to your thyroid hormones returning to normal.
Are at that place whatsoever risks?	The primary side effect is an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Y'all will take several blood tests later on treatment to monitor your thyroid hormone levels and tin can be given thyroid tablets if this happens.
Treatment	Surgery
What happens?	This is an operation in which all or part of your thyroid gland is removed. This is chosen a thyroidectomy.
Who is it for?	This is often the last resort and is considered if other therapies and medicines have not worked. People too consider surgery if they are at a college chance of getting side effects from other treatments. Surgery is a good option if yous have a large tumour (called goitre) causing problems in your neck.
Ongoing treatment	If your entire thyroid gland is removed, you will demand thyroid hormone replacement, which means taking thyroid tablets for life.

R eferences

1. Hyperthyroidism 3D Regional HealthPathways, NZ, 2021
2. Treating an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) Healthinfo Canterbury, NZ
3. Carbimazole NZ Formulary

Information for healthcare providers on hyperthyroidism

The content on this page will be of most use to clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, specialists and other healthcare providers.

The post-obit data on hyperthyroidism is taken from 3D Regional HealthPathways, NZ, accessed March 2021:

Cerise flags:
Hyperthyroidism and: significantly unwell, especially if fever or dehydration rapid atrial fibrillation or center failure psychosis signs of astringent and sight-threatening eye affliction.

Clinical guidelines and resources

Hyperthyroidism  3D Regional HealthPathways, NZ, 2021
Carbimazole NZ Formulary
Hyperthyroidism Patient Info, Britain
Management of thyroid dysfunction in adults BPAC, NZ, 2010
Campbell   K, Doogue G. Evaluating and managing patients with thyrotoxicosis  Australian Family unit Doc. 2012. 41(8):564-572.

Continuing professional development

eLearning

New diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in main care BMJ Learning, UK

Regional HealthPathways NZ

Access to the post-obit regional pathways is localised for each region and access is limited to health providers.If you exercise non know the login details, contact your DHB or PHO for more than information:

• Northland
• Auckland Region
• Midland Region
• Hawke'southward Bay
• Whanganui & MidCentral
• Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Majuscule and Declension (3D)
• Nelson-Marlborough
• Due west Coast
• Canterbury
• Aoraki (South Canterbury)
• Southern

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Source: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/o/overactive-thyroid/

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