Hyperthyroidism: Is this why you're losing weight and feeling anxious?

Do you also feel like you're just losing weight these days? No matter how much you eat, you can't gain weight? Do you have symptoms like your heart is racing, you get angry at small things, and you sweat all the time? You might think it's because of the stress you're under these days. But these could be symptoms of a condition called 'Hyperthyroidism'. Let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

What is this hyperthyroidism?

Simply put, hyperthyroidism is when the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland in our neck becomes overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone. This is also called an 'overactive thyroid'.

Think of our body as a car. The accelerator that controls the engine speed (metabolism) of this car is the thyroid hormone. Normally, this accelerator operates in a controlled manner. But in hyperthyroidism, it is as if someone has stepped on this accelerator. Then every process in the body, from the heartbeat to the digestion of food, starts happening at a high speed. This is why you feel tired and restless.

The main hormones that control our body's metabolism, that is, the rate at which the food we eat is converted into energy, are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) . The thyroid gland is instructed to produce these hormones by a hormone called TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), which comes from the pituitary gland in the brain. In hyperthyroidism, these T3 and T4 hormones are secreted in excess.

What are the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Because hyperthyroidism affects our entire body, there can be many symptoms. You may have just a few of these, or you may have many at the same time. These symptoms may start suddenly or develop gradually over time.

To make it easier to understand, let's look at these characteristics in a table.

Why does hyperthyroidism occur? What are the causes?

There are several main causes of hyperthyroidism.

• Graves' disease: This is the most common cause. Simply put, our body's own immune system goes haywire and sends the wrong signal to the thyroid gland to 'make more hormones'. This is an autoimmune condition. If someone in your family has thyroid disease or other autoimmune diseases, you are at higher risk of developing this condition.
• Thyroid nodules: Small lumps that form on the thyroid gland. Some of these lumps start producing hormones on their own. These lumps are very unlikely to be cancerous.
• Thyroiditis: Inflammation or swelling of the thyroid gland. This can cause the hormones stored in the gland to suddenly leak into the bloodstream, causing temporary hyperthyroidism. After the condition resolves, the gland may become underactive, causing hypothyroidism.
• Excessive iodine intake: Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. However, taking too much of certain medications or foods (such as seafood) that contain iodine can stimulate the gland to produce too much hormone.
• Pituitary adenoma: This is a very rare cause. A small tumor that develops in the pituitary gland in the brain produces too much TSH, which forces the thyroid gland to keep making hormones.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, they will follow several steps to make a diagnosis.

1. Physical examination: First, the doctor will examine you. They will look for things like a swollen thyroid gland in your neck, a rapid heart rate, trembling hands, and clammy skin.

2. Thyroid blood tests: This is the most important and accurate test. It checks the levels of T3, T4, and TSH hormones in your blood. A person with hyperthyroidism usually has high T3 and T4 levels, while TSH levels are often low .

3. Thyroid antibody blood test: This test helps determine whether Graves' disease is causing this condition.

4. Other tests: If necessary, your doctor may ask you to do something like a thyroid ultrasound or a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test. Don't worry about it, your doctor will explain everything to you.

What are the treatments for hyperthyroidism?

The best part is that hyperthyroidism is a treatable and manageable condition. Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on the cause and condition of your condition.

What happens if left untreated?

This is very important. If hyperthyroidism is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.

• Heart disease: Conditions such as atrial fibrillation (Afib) and congestive heart failure.
• Infertility
• Stroke (Ischemic stroke)
• Osteoporosis: Bones become weak and easily broken, even with a minor fall.

The most dangerous and potentially life-threatening complication of this is 'Thyroid Storm' . This is when a sudden surge of thyroid hormones is released into the body. Symptoms include high fever and rapid heartbeat. This is a medical emergency. If you experience these symptoms, you should go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

Do you need to be careful about food and drink?

Sometimes, eating too many foods high in iodine (seafood, seaweed, crab, shrimp, iodized salt) can make this condition worse. So your doctor may recommend a low-iodine diet.

But remember, this disease cannot be cured by controlling your diet alone. Medical treatment is definitely needed. Be sure to consult your doctor before making any major changes to your diet.

Receiving a new diagnosis can be stressful. But the good news is that hyperthyroidism is a condition that can be treated and managed. If you feel like your body is running too fast, be sure to see a doctor. He or she can run the necessary tests and give you the treatment you need to get your body back in balance.

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