Hyperactive Thyroid

Thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands present in the body. It is situated in the lower neck below the thyroid cartilage. This gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, that regulate the rate of metabolism in the body. A condition in which the thyroid hormone becomes overactive and creates an abundance of thyroid hormones, is known as hyperthyroidism or hyperactive thyroid syndrome. It speeds up every function in the body, and may cause several health hazards.

Hyperactive Thyroid Causes
About 70 percent are due to Graves' disease. It is a condition in which the antibodies, that are normally produced to protect us against the various bacteria and viruses, stimulate the thyroid gland, to produce excessive amount of thyroid hormones. Other causes include inflammation of the thyroid gland, abnormal secretion of the TSH, growth of non cancerous tumors on the thyroid or pituitary glands and excessive intake of iodine or thyroid hormones. Hyperactive thyroid and pregnancy are often linked as this condition is quite common among expectant women.

Symptoms of an Overactive Thyroid
Signs and symptoms associated with this glandular disorder often start showing up slowly and link to stress or other medical conditions. Hence, it becomes difficult to diagnose this condition. Some of the common symptoms include:

• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Unexplained weight loss
• Intolerance to heat
• Irregular bowel movements
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Muscle weakness
• Hair loss
• Nervousness
• Enlarged thyroid gland

These were some of common signs and symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism. However, the symptoms may differ from person to person and also with age.

Hyperactive Thyroid Treatment
There are several treatment options available for an overactive thyroid. However, the doctor recommends a particular treatment method, depending on several factors such as age, sex, cause and severity of the condition and other health issues. Some symptoms may be treated by oral medications. Certain antithyroid medications such as propylthiouracil and methimazole may be used to inhibit the production of thyroid hormones, resulting in decreased thyroid activity as well as low thyroid levels in the blood.

In some cases, radioactive iodine therapy is recommended. This therapy involves administration of radioactive iodine orally. Once it enters the blood stream, it immediately starts its action of absorbing all the hyperactive thyroid cells. It damages all the thyroid cells and shrinks the thyroid, thus reducing the thyroid hormone level in the body. Surgery is recommended in very rare cases to remove the thyroid gland, but doing so may result into hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. This condition may then require a thyroid hormone supplement to regulate the hormone levels.

One could also follow a specific diet, designed by the doctor, to control the thyroid activity and hormone level. Certain foods that inhibit the effect of thyroid hormones on the body include cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, kale, broccoli and mustard. Some other foods such as wintergreen, soy, turnips and walnuts also have a negative effect on the thyroid hormones.

In mild cases of hyperactivity of the thyroid gland, just treating the symptoms can help to alleviate the condition. However, highly overactive thyroid has to be treated with radioactive iodine or surgery.