This results in an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism. The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is made on the basis of your symptoms and findings during a physical exam and it is confirmed by laboratory tests that measure the amount of thyroid hormones thyroxine, or T4, and triiodothyronine, or T3 and thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH in your blood see the Hyperthyroidism brochure.
The choice of initial diagnostic testing depends on cost, availability and local expertise. Also, in some patients, measurement of thyroidal blood flow with ultrasonography may be useful to establish the diagnosis if the above tests are not readily available.
The treatment of hyperthyroidism is described in detail in the Hyperthyroidism brochure. All hyperthyroid patients should be initially treated with beta-blockers. Antithyroid medications are typically preferred in patients who have a high likelihood of remission women, mild disease, small goiters, negative or low titer of antibodies.
If methimazole is chosen, it can be continued for months and then discontinued if TSH and TRAb levels are normal at that time. If TRAb levels remain elevated, the chances of remission are much lower and prolonging treatment with antithyroid drugs is safe and may increase chances of remission.
Page last reviewed: 24 September Next review due: 24 September There are a number of conditions that can cause your thyroid to become overactive. Graves' disease About 3 in every 4 people with an overactive thyroid gland have a condition called Graves' disease. Thyroid nodules Less commonly, your thyroid can become overactive if lumps nodules develop on your thyroid. A doctor who specializes in diseases related to hormones, known as an endocrinologist , may handle your tests and diagnosis.
Your care team may suggest using one or more of these options to treat the condition. Your doctor may prescribe antithyroid drugs, including propylthiouracil and methimazole, or beta-blockers.
This treatment requires you to take doses of radioactive iodine This usually requires you to swallow small amounts in pill form. Your doctor will explain any important precautions for you to take with this therapy.
Although thyroid surgery is an option, your doctor may not suggest it right away. If surgery is necessary, your doctor will remove your entire thyroid gland, a procedure known as a total thyroidectomy. The goal of this surgery is to eliminate the risk of hyperthyroidism returning. Prompt treatment, however, can improve your symptoms and help lower your chances of health complications. Due to the increased pressure on the optic nerves, untreated Graves ophthalmology can lead to double vision and possibly partial blindness.
It is an important part of the endocrine, or hormonal, system. It regulates metabolism by releasing hormones into the bloodstream. The more hormones it releases, the more quickly metabolism runs. Normally, a chemical called thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH produced in a part of the brain called the pituitary, tells the thyroid how much or how little to produce.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3 ; a doctor may take a blood sample to measure levels of these hormones. The patient consumes a small quantity of radioactive iodine by liquid or capsule. Once swallowed, the iodine collects in the thyroid. The doctor will then perform several scans using a radioactive tracer. The first is usually done hours after the iodine has been taken.
Following this, a second scan is usually taken 24 hours later. Iodine is found in seaweeds, such as kelp and dulse. The NIDDK also advises people to speak to their doctor before taking a multivitamin supplement or using cough medicine, as these can contain iodine. It is important to attend all scheduled health appointments, however, because treatment for an overactive thyroid can trigger an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism.
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