Hyperactive Thyroid
Symptoms And Treatment For The Hyperactive Thyroid
We often aren't even aware of the functions of our thyroid gland unless faced with a problem, such as that of a hyperactive thyroid. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, functions as a type of regulator or pacesetter for various bodily organs. If this regulator begins to operate beyond the normal range, one or more symptoms will soon emerge.
Two common problems encountered in the thyroid gland are the under active thyroid, hypothyroidism, and the hyperactive thyroid, hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the most common of the two but hyperthyroidism, the hyperactive thyroid, generally causes significantly more pronounced and severe symptoms.
The thyroid gland produces two hormones both important at the cellular level and consequently affecting every tissue in our body. An overactive thyroid produces an excess of these hormones and when that occurs other problems begin to emerge. The majority of the symptoms associated with an excessive production of hormones are not just unique to the condition of the thyroid gland but can stem from any number of other causes. Muscle weakness and tremors, disturbed sleep, and eye irritation can result from a number of abnormal health conditions, not just from thyroid problems. Consequently the thyroid gland isn't normally what first comes to mind as the culprit.
Frequent bowel movements and other gastrointestinal disorders, heart rate increase, and heart palpitations may also stem from a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Weight loss is a common symptom as the body's metabolism speeds up to the point where even an increase of food intake will not maintain normal weight. Again, these disorders can often result from malfunctions elsewhere in our system. There are indications that if not treated, an overactive thyroid can lead to osteoporosis. An enlarged thyroid is of course a very pronounced symptom caused either by a deficiency of iodine in the diet or a hyperactive thyroid or a combination of both. Depending upon the severity, an enlarged thyroid gland can cause a great deal of discomfort, both emotionally and physically.
Certain symptoms, particularly those associated with heart rate can be countered with beta blockers. However it is the symptom and not the cause in this case that is being treated. There are several courses of treatment of the basic condition, the goal of each being to reduce hormone production, the primary function of the thyroid but a function which itself must be regulated. Reduction of hormone production can be accomplished through medication although more drastic procedures such as iodine radiation or invasive surgery are sometimes called for.
One thing to be certain to check for in the case of an enlarged thyroid gland is the appearance of tiny nodules. The vast majority of these nodules will almost always be benign but there is always a possibility of malignancy. It is therefore of the utmost importance that once a hyperactive thyroid is the diagnosis, immediate treatment should be the next step.