Hyperthyroidism Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Hyperthyroidism is a condition of a ‘hyperactive’ thyroid gland. This condition produces excessive thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland is located in the neck, front and center, has a shape and size similar to a butterfly. The gland produces thyroid hormone which functions to regulate body growth and metabolism.
Symptom
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism caused by hyperthyroidism vary widely. In mild hyperthyroidism, patients often experience no symptoms at all.
Symptoms that can appear in cases of hyperthyroidism include:
- There is a lump in the neck
- Easily anxious, agitated, or gets emotional
- It’s hard to concentrate on one thing
- pounding
- Appetite increased, but weight decreased
- It’s easy to sweat and complain of being hot
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Irregular menstruation
- Fertility disorders
- Hair loss
- Shaking hands (tremors)
If prolonged, hyperthyroidism can cause complications in the heart. Complications that usually occur are arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) and heart failure.
Another complication is thyroid crisis, which is a sudden and very high increase in thyroid hormone levels. A thyroid crisis is usually precipitated by a severe infection, injury, surgery, or childbirth. This complication is characterized by high fever, restlessness, dehydration, and hallucinations.
Reason
Hyperthyroidism associated with other diseases. Some diseases that can cause hyperthyroidism are:
- Graves’ disease. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland. This disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
- Thyroid nodules. The presence of nodules or tumors in the thyroid gland that secrete thyroid hormone will cause hyperthyroidism. In thyroid nodules, the thyroid gland is usually asymmetrically enlarged.
- thyroiditis. Inflammatory conditions of the thyroid gland. In the early phase of thyroiditis, patients generally experience hyperthyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism.
Apart from being caused by other diseases, hyperthyroidism can also be caused by side effects of drugs. Some drugs that often cause hyperthyroidism include lithium (for the treatment of bipolar disorder) and amiodarone (for the treatment of heart rhythm disorders).
Diagnosis
In the early stages of the hyperthyroidism diagnosis process, the doctor will ask about symptoms through a series of medical interviews. In addition, the doctor will also carry out a physical examination and continue with blood tests.
Blood tests aim to check thyroid hormone levels. The tests carried out are TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels, as well as T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) levels. If necessary, an examination using a radioactive substance, namely a radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) examination is also carried out.
Treatment
To overcome hyperthyroidism, there are two main things to do. The first treatment aims to treat symptoms immediately and the second is to lower thyroid hormone levels.
To deal with the symptoms that appear immediately, the doctor will give a beta-blocker class of drugs. After starting to take this drug for a few hours, generally the symptoms that arise due to hyperthyroidism will begin to subside.
Meanwhile, to lower thyroid hormone levels, there are several therapeutic options, namely:
1. Administration of anti-thyroid drugs
Anti-thyroid drugs, such as methimazole and propylthiouracil (PTU), work by stopping the production of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland. This drug is generally taken for at least 1–2 years to control thyroid hormone conditions.
2. Radioactive iodine
The principle of treatment with radioactive iodine is to destroy active cells in the thyroid gland using radioactive substances. This medication is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and women who are planning a pregnancy.
3. Operation
If other treatments have been carried out and have not been able to overcome hyperthyroidism, then surgical removal of the thyroid gland needs to be considered. This operation can definitely treat hyperthyroidism, but it will also definitely cause complications in the form of hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid hormone).
Therefore, people who undergo surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland must take thyroid hormone substitution drugs (levothyroxine) for life.
Prevention
Until now there is no action that can be done to prevent hyperthyroidism.