Have you been feeling like everything is happening too fast lately ? Feeling a little nervous, your heart is beating fast, you're losing weight no matter how much you eat, or you're sweating profusely? You might think it's just a normal part of your busy life. But these could be a problem with your thyroid, a small but very important gland in your body. Let's talk about this today.
What is this hyperthyroidism?
Simply put, hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland, which is shaped like a butterfly and is located at the base of your neck, produces more thyroid hormones than necessary. Like every other process in our body, these hormones need to be at a certain level to function properly. So when these hormones increase, our entire body system starts to go haywire. It's like a car with the accelerator pedal pressed down all the time. Everything happens too fast.
This condition usually doesn't get better on its own. It requires medical treatment. So it's very important to be aware of this.
What is the difference between Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism?
Although these two words sound similar, they are two completely opposite situations. Don't confuse them.
| Disease status | Simply meaning |
|---|---|
| Hyperthyroidism | The thyroid gland produces too much hormone (Overactive). |
| Hypothyroidism | The thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones (Underactive). |
The symptoms and treatments for these two conditions are different.
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
When thyroid hormones increase, our body's metabolism, the rate at which food is converted into energy, increases dramatically. This can cause various symptoms.
These symptoms often appear suddenly, so some people may think that this is due to another illness or stress.
See if you have one or more of the following characteristics.
| Type of symptom | Things that can be felt |
|---|---|
| Mental and behavioral changes | - Constantly feeling anxious and restless. - Getting angry over small things. - Insomnia or difficulty sleeping. - Sudden changes in mood (mood swings). |
| Physical changes | - Sudden weight loss without effort. - Rapid or irregular heartbeat. - Constant sweating and feeling hot. - Increased appetite. - Tremor of hands and fingers. - Increased frequency of bowel movements. - A swelling (goiter) in the front of the neck. - Thinning skin and hair loss. - Muscle weakness. |
| Characteristics specific to women | - Changes in the monthly menstrual cycle (e.g., decreased number of days, decreased bleeding). |
| Symptoms related to the eyes | - Eyes appear to be protruding. - Pain or pressure in the eyes. - Redness of the eyes. |
At first, you may feel like you have a lot of energy because your metabolism is high. But over time, this high rate of metabolism takes its toll on your body and you start to feel tired.
How about the elderly?
For older people, these symptoms may not be as obvious. They may only show subtle signs, such as a slightly increased heart rate and sensitivity to heat.
What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?
There are several main reasons for this.
1. Graves' Disease: This is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Simply put, it is a disorder of the immune system. Normally, our immune system fights off bacteria and viruses that enter the body. However, in someone with Graves' disease, the immune system attacks its own thyroid gland. This causes the thyroid gland to become overstimulated and produce too much hormone. This tends to run in families.
2. Thyroid Nodules: Small lumps (nodules) that form in the thyroid gland can sometimes become overactive and produce too much hormone. This condition is common among older people.
3. Thyroiditis: This is inflammation of the thyroid gland. When this happens, hormones stored in the gland can suddenly leak into the bloodstream. This can cause a temporary condition called hyperthyroidism. This can often happen after childbirth, after a viral infection, or from taking too much thyroid medication.
4. Excessive iodine intake: If the body receives too much iodine from certain medications or dietary supplements, the thyroid gland may be stimulated. Because iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones.
Effects on the eyes (Thyroid Eye Disease)
About 30% of people with Graves' disease develop a condition called Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) , which affects the muscles and tissues around the eyes and can interfere with vision.
The main features are:
- Bulging eyes
- Feeling like sand in the eyes
- Eye pain and pressure
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Double vision
- Sensitivity to light
If you have these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor immediately and have your eyes checked.
How to diagnose this disease?
When you go to the doctor, he or she will ask about your symptoms and examine you. They will pay particular attention to things like a swollen neck, a fast heartbeat, and trembling hands. Then, they may do the following tests:
- Thyroid Panel: This is a blood test that measures the levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. In hyperthyroidism, T3 and T4 levels are usually elevated and TSH levels are very low.
- Thyroid Scan: A very small, safe amount of radioactive iodine is injected into the body, and a special camera takes pictures of the thyroid gland. This can help detect things like nodules.
- Ultrasound Scan: A clear image of the thyroid gland is obtained using sound waves.
- Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test: You swallow a small amount of radioactive iodine as a pill. Then, a few hours later, a special device measures how much iodine your thyroid gland has taken up. If the amount taken up is high, it is more likely that you have Graves' disease.
What are the treatments?
Don't worry, hyperthyroidism is a manageable condition. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate treatment for you based on your age, health, and the cause of your condition.
There are three main treatment methods:
1. Radioactive Iodine: This is the most commonly used treatment. In this, a small pill or liquid containing radioactive iodine is given to drink. The overactive cells of the thyroid gland absorb this iodine and are destroyed. This causes the gland to shrink and hormone levels to decrease. After this treatment, there may be a decrease in thyroid function (Hypothyroidism). However, this can be easily controlled with a small hormone pill taken daily.
2. Anti-thyroid Drugs: These medications work by stopping the thyroid gland from producing hormones. Symptoms may start to improve within a few months. However, you may need to continue taking these medications for at least a year. This is a safe option during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
3. Surgery (Thyroidectomy): If other treatments are not effective, your doctor may decide to surgically remove part or all of your thyroid gland. After surgery, you will need to take a pill every day to get the right amount of hormones for your body.
Emergency: Thyrotoxic Crisis / Thyroid Storm
Sometimes, if left untreated or due to a condition such as an infection, the thyroid gland can suddenly release too much hormone into the bloodstream. This is a life-threatening emergency. If you have symptoms such as a very high fever (over 104 F), a heart rate over 140 beats per minute, or confusion , go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately.
What should the diet be like?
While undergoing treatment, it is important to take care of your diet.
| Things that are suitable for eating | Things to reduce as much as possible |
|---|---|
| - Fresh fruits and vegetables - Whole grains - Nuts, Seeds - Lean meats and fish | - Foods high in iodine: iodized salt, seaweed, seafood (shrimp, crab, lobster), milk and dairy products, egg yolks. - Processed foods, sweetened drinks. |
It's best to talk to your doctor or nutritionist about this and create a meal plan that suits you.
Take-Home Message
- Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, causing everything in the body to "speed up."
- If you have symptoms like sudden weight loss, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and sweating, don't ignore them.
- This is most often caused by an immune system problem called Graves' disease.
- Don't worry. This condition can be well controlled with medication, radioactive iodine treatment, or surgery.
- If you suspect you have any of these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor for advice. The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.
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