What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism means overactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in too much thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. The oversecretion of thyroid hormones leads to overactivity of the body's metabolism.

About the thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland. This means that it secretes hormones into your bloodstream. Hormones are chemicals produced by the body to help regulate how your cells and organs work. They are sometimes called chemical messengers.

Your thyroid gland is located in the neck in front of your windpipe. It is about 2cm wide and 4cm high
.
There are several types of hyperthyroidism, each associated with a different particular cause.

The most common type is Graves' disease (also called diffuse toxic goiter), which is possibly a genetically linked disease, caused by antibodies in the blood which stimulate the thyroid to grow and produce excess hormone.
Other causes of hyperthyroidism include toxic multinodular goiter, in which individual thyroid nodule(s) are responsible for excess
thyroid hormone production.

Graves' disease

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. An abnormality of the immune system is the cause. The immune system is a collection of special cells and chemicals that fight infection from foreign agents, such as bacteria and viruses.

A key element of the immune system is the antibody, which is a type of tailor-made 'poison' produced by lymphocytes (white blood cells) to kill a particular foreign agent. In a person with Graves' disease, the immune system manufactures antibodies which behave like TSH and stimulate the thyroid uncontrollably

Symptoms
You may have hyperthyroidism if you:
·    Feel nervous, moody, weak, or tired.
·    Have hand tremors, or have a fast or irregular heartbeat, or have trouble breathing even when you are resting.
·    Sweat a lot, and have warm, red skin that may be itchy.
·    Have frequent and sometimes loose bowel movements.
·    I am losing weight but my appetite has increased
·    I feel like I have a lot of nervous energy that I need to burn off
·     I am having diarrhea or loose or more frequent bowel movements
·     I feel nervous or irritable
·     My skin looks or feels thinner

Expected Duration
In people with hyperthyroidism caused by certain types of thyroid inflammation or viral thyroid infections, levels of thyroid hormones usually return to normal after several months. Most people with Graves' disease require long-term treatment, although the condition occasionally goes away on its own.

Diagnosis
Physicians will look for physical signs and symptoms indicated by patient history. On inspection, the physician may note symptoms
such as a goiter or eye-bulging. Other symptoms or family history may be clues to a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. An elevated basal (lowest range of normal) body temperature above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees centigrade) may be an indication of a heightened basal metabolic rate (which measures the energy used to maintain vitality) and hyperthyroidism.

Prognosis and Treatment
Treatment of hyperthyroidism depends on the cause. In most cases, the problem causing hyperthyroidism can be cured, or the symptoms can be eliminated or greatly reduced. If left untreated, however, hyperthyroidism places undue stress on the heart and many other organs.