In an era where health consciousness is on the rise, individuals worldwide are making commendable efforts to adopt healthier lifestyles. Regular exercise and mindful eating have become integral components of many people’s routines. However, despite these positive trends, certain health challenges persist. One such condition that often flies under the radar but can significantly impact one’s health is hyperthyroidism.
Dr Amita Jain, the leading laparoscopic surgeon for thyroid in Delhi, tells us more about its symptoms and treatment in this article.
What is Hyperthyroidism?
When the thyroid gland produces an excess of thyroid hormone, a condition known as hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid occurs. This leads to an acceleration of the body’s metabolism.
What is Thyroid hormone?
Thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. Thyroid hormone, comprising thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, the process through which the body converts food into energy.
What are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?
Some of the symptoms may include:
- Unplanned Weight Loss – Hyperthyroidism causes unintentional weight loss despite increased appetite due to elevated metabolic activity.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat – When there’s too much thyroid hormone, it can make your heart beat harder and faster. This can lead to irregular heart rhythms, like atrial fibrillation, where the upper chambers of the heartbeat in a disorganized way. You might notice this as palpitations when you suddenly feel your heartbeat.
- Psychological symptoms – Hyperthyroidism can cause rapid mood swings and emotional instability due to fluctuating thyroid hormone levels. Symptoms include irritability, anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Insomnia, fatigue, and memory issues may also occur, sometimes escalating to mania or depression.
- Affects Menstrual Cycle – Hyperthyroidism disrupts menstrual cycles by boosting SHBG, and prolactin levels. This causes irregular or absent periods, reduced fertility, and higher miscarriage risk. Symptoms include infrequent, light periods and decreased ovulation.
- Gut issues – Hyperthyroidism triggers the sympathetic system thereby increasing gut motility, leading to diarrhea, malabsorption, and consequently weight loss.
- Profuse Sweating – Hyperthyroidism leads to widespread sweating, including face, neck, armpits, and palms, along with night sweats. Excess thyroxine boosts metabolism, raising body temperature.
- Goiter – Goiters or enlarged thyroid glands can result from hyperthyroidism, often caused by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder leading to excessive thyroid hormone production and swelling.
Now that you have read about the symptoms, let’s find out the treatment options for hyperthyroidism.
1. Medication – Anti-thyroid drugs like methimazole and propylthiouracil alleviate hyperthyroid symptoms by regulating hormone production. Treatment typically spans 12 to 18 months, gradually adjusting dosage based on symptom improvement and blood tests.
Methimazole is preferred due to lower liver damage risk. Rarely, allergic reactions may occur, posing infection risks. This approach is suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
2. Beta Blockers – These drugs prevent thyroid hormones from affecting the body, easing symptoms of hyperthyroidism like fast heartbeat and nervousness. They are usually combined with other treatments for long-term management. These are not advised for asthma patients. The possible side effect is fatigue.
3. Radioactive iodine – Radioactive iodine is an oral medication designed to be absorbed by overactive thyroid cells. Once absorbed, the radioactive iodine targets and eliminates the hyperactive thyroid cells responsible for excessive hormone production.
Symptoms typically diminish within a few months, and the surplus radioactive iodine naturally exits the body within a few weeks. To maintain thyroid function, individuals undergoing this treatment may require daily supplementation with thyroxine. It is important to note that this option is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
4. Surgery – When medications fail to effectively manage thyroid conditions, doctors may recommend thyroidectomy, which involves surgically removing all or part of the thyroid gland. In rare instances, complications such as paralysis of the vocal cords, leading to the inability to speak, or damage to the parathyroid glands, resulting in low calcium levels in the blood, can occur. If hypothyroidism develops after surgery, physicians typically advise patients to take hormone supplements to restore thyroid function.
Thus it is evident that knowledge of hyperthyroidism symptoms aids in prompt diagnosis. Treatment options include medication, beta-blockers, radioactive iodine, or surgery for severe cases.
Dr Amita Jain is a surgeon with highest degree of professional competence, precision and surgical craftsmanship. Performed all complicated general surgery procedures with in depth knowledge of invasive and few minimal invasive and onco surgical techniques. Underwent special training in trauma, executed various trauma-related complex life-saving neurosurgical procedures, reconstructed injured mangled limbs and performed vascular and reconstructive procedures with critical care.
Dr Amita Jain holds 28 plus years of rich experience in Trauma and General Laparoscopic Surgeries (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor Surgery of at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital Delhi Cantt. In 1994 she was commissioned as Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior Consultant, (Speciality: General and Laparoscopic Surgeon) at Artemis Lite Hospital, New Delhi