Overactive thyroid

The thyroid gland is a hormone gland that regulates several bodily functions. If it is overactive it produces too many thyroid hormones. Such overactivity can have various causes. The most common of these is the thyroid condition known as Basedow’s disease.

If the volume of thyroid hormones in the blood is persistently higher than usual, many metabolic processes become imbalanced. This can result in a number of different symptoms, typically including weight loss, perspiration, nervousness or heart palpitations.

If left untreated, an overactive thyroid increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In the case of an overactive thyroid, the thyroid gland often becomes enlarged and visible swelling appears on the neck. Doctors refer to this enlargement as a goiter (struma). In some cases, the only thing to form are palpable or visible nodules. It is also possible for neither a goiter nor nodules to form. Furthermore, an enlarged thyroid or thyroid nodule is not always associated with overactivity.

An overactive thyroid is often indicated by the following symptoms:

• heart palpitations and racing heartbeat, sometimes even cardiac arrhythmia
• high blood pressure
• weight loss despite feeling hungry more often
• diarrhea
• trembling, nervous anxiety, irritability, insomnia
• weakness, fatigue
• perspiration

People with an overactive thyroid also quickly find heat unpleasant. Their skin often feels warm and moist, and their hair starts to thin.

The most common cause of an overactive thyroid is Basedow’s disease, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. This is a condition where the immune system produces antibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland to produce excess hormones.

An overactive thyroid can also be caused when the thyroid gland starts functioning “autonomously”. The thyroid gland is usually controlled by the pituitary gland. When a thyroid gland starts functioning “autonomously”, the thyroid cells stop responding to the signals sent by the pituitary gland. This causes an excess production of thyroid gland hormones.

Autonomous thyroid cells sometimes occur throughout the entire gland and sometimes only in the tissue of one or more benign nodules. Such nodules are known as autonomous thyroid adenoma.

An overactive thyroid is a common condition, affecting about one in every 100 people, usually between the age of 20 and 50.

If not treated properly, an overactive thyroid may cause cardiovascular problems such as atrial fibrillation. In the long term, the accelerated bone remodeling process may also lead to osteoporosis.

The first step in diagnosing an overactive thyroid is a detailed medical consultation. This is usually followed by a physical examination where the doctor feels the thyroid gland to see whether it is enlarged or if a nodule has perhaps formed. An ultrasound examination can be used to more precisely identify and assess changes to the thyroid tissue and existing nodules.

An examination of the eyes can also be useful. For example, bulging, swollen eyes can indicate a presence of Basedow’s disease – the most common cause of an overactive thyroid.

Blood tests also provide important information. They can be used to determine whether the thyroid itself is producing too many hormones or whether the overproduction is the result of the pituitary gland not properly controlling production. It is also possible to detect certain antibodies in the blood that can provide further indications of the presence of Basedow’s disease.

Another diagnostic method is scintigraphy, which can be used to detect the activity of a nodule. This is performed using weak radioactive substances, which are usually injected into a vein. The substances themselves emit rays that can be recorded using a special camera. This type of scintigraphy makes it possible to assess if a nodule is “hot”, i.e. producing excess hormones.

In mild cases, an overactive thyroid can sometimes go away of its own accord. In most cases, however, the excess hormone production by the thyroid gland has to be stopped using thyreostatics. These are a type of medication that inhibits the production of thyroid hormones.

Taking thyreostatics for a prolonged period can sometimes restore normal thyroid function in people with Basedow’s disease. If that does not work, the gland is removed surgically or radioactive iodine therapy is used. This involves doctors administering radioactive iodine in capsule form. The iodine is deposited in the thyroid gland and destroys the overactive cells.

If the thyroid gland is enlarged because it is operating autonomously, it is first “calmed down” with thyreostatics and then, in most cases, removed surgically. If surgery is not possible or the gland is not severely enlarged, radioactive iodine therapy is possible.

More detailed information on the treatment of an overactive thyroid can be found at gesundheitsinformation.de.