- Signals and symptons
- Subclinical hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism in Pregnancy
- How to know if it is hyperthyroidism
- Treatment
Hyperthyroidism is characterized by excessive production of hormones by the thyroid, which can be caused by changes in the immune system, taking medications to control hypothyroidism, inflammation of the thyroid or nodules such as adenoma, which is more common in the elderly.
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the body itself produces antibodies against the thyroid. Women who have hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease may have babies who are also born with hyperthyroidism.
Signals and symptons
In hyperthyroidism, regardless of its cause, all organic functions accelerate, developing symptoms such as:
- Anxiety, nervousness, irritability; Swelling around the eyes; Increased tear production; Eye changes; Unusual sensitivity to light; Heart palpitations; Increased blood pressure; Feeling of heat even in a cold environment and heat intolerance; Increased humidity skin; Hand tremors; Excessive sweating; Frequent tiredness; Weakness; Greater appetite with weight loss or slightly increased weight; Insomnia; Diarrhea or increased frequency of defecation; Menstrual changes; Breast enlargement in men; Reddish color in the palm swollen legs and feet.
In the elderly the symptoms are slightly different with the presence of weakness, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and swelling in the body.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism
Subclinical hyperthyroidism the signs and symptoms may not be present or be so subtle that the doctor does not suspect the thyroid. This alteration can be diagnosed through the blood test that shows low TSH, less than 0.1 microU / mL while T3 and T4 are with normal values.
In this case, the individual must undergo further tests within 2 to 6 months to check the need for taking medications, because it is not usually necessary to carry out any treatment, which is only reserved for when there are symptoms.
Hyperthyroidism in Pregnancy
Increased thyroid hormones in pregnancy can cause complications such as eclampsia, miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight in addition to heart failure in women.
Women who had normal values before becoming pregnant and who were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism right from the beginning until the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, usually do not need to undergo any type of treatment because a slight increase in T3 and T4 during pregnancy is normal. However, the doctor may recommend medicines to normalize T4 in the blood, without harming the baby.
The dose of the drug varies from one person to another and the first dose indicated by the obstetrician is not always the one that remains during treatment, because it may be necessary to adjust the dose after 6 to 8 weeks after starting the drug. Find out more details by clicking here.
How to know if it is hyperthyroidism
For the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism one must observe the presence of signs and symptoms, and it is very important to perform blood tests that indicate the functioning of the thyroid:
- T3; T4; TSH.
These exams should be performed, every 5 years from the age of 35, mainly on women, but people who are at higher risk of developing the disease should perform this exam every 2 years.
The people most likely to have hyperthyroidism are women, with thyroid problems, goiter, who use drugs such as amiodarone, cytokines and iodine-containing compounds or who have diseases such as Myasthenia gravis, Type 1 Diabetes and Primary adrenal insufficiency.
Treatment
The treatment for hyperthyroidism can be done with the use of medications such as Propiltiouracil and Metimazole, through the use of radioactive iodine or through the removal of the thyroid through surgery.
The choice of treatment will depend on the person's age, the symptoms presented and whether it is possible to regulate the functioning of the thyroid only with medication or not. Thyroid removal is only indicated as a last resort, when symptoms do not disappear and it is not possible to regulate the thyroid by changing the dose of the drugs. See how each type of treatment can be performed by clicking here and get to know the most suitable home remedies and how food can help in the following video.
