The increase in the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood has consequently accelerated the metabolic activity of the organism. Learn about existing treatments to counteract hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is the name by which the increased functioning of the thyroid gland is known, which implies an increase in the levels of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) in the blood, resulting in the body’s acceleration’s metabolic activity. It is a common disorder, affecting approximately 1% of the population, especially women between 30 and 40.
The thyroid hormones are formed in the thyroid gland, located in the lower part of the neck, just on the edge of the sternum. The thyroid makes two thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, and needs iodine to synthesize them. This mineral is found in salt, vegetables, and seafood, so there are sufficient amounts in a healthy diet to produce thyroid hormones.
The role of thyroid hormones is to stimulate the functioning of different organs, especially the brain, muscles, heart, and kidney. In this way, thyroid hormones facilitate muscle contraction, the functioning of neurons, and so on. It could be said that they have a “natural, invigorating effect.” Hence, the alteration of the amount of these hormones, in excess or deficiency, causes a deterioration of the individual’s overall health.
Natural control of the number of thyroid hormones in the blood depends on:
- Brain control: the TSH hormone ( Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ), secreted by the pituitary gland, located in the brain, is responsible for regulating the excretion of thyroid hormones, according to needs.
- Self-regulation: The thyroid hormones themselves inhibit the excretion of thyroid hormones. This always ensures that levels do not exceed limits.
These are some of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism, among the most common include Graves’ disease, goiter, or thyroiditis, and others that we explain:
Brain control disorders
The TSH hormone secreted by the brain’s pituitary gland can stimulate the thyroid gland to synthesize more thyroid hormones. A tumor may develop in the pituitary gland that uncontrollably secretes TSH, causing the thyroid gland to over-function.
Graves disease
The condition is caused by an abnormal response of the immune system, which has the consequence that the human body’s defenses turn against the thyroid gland but, instead of destroying it, they create substances that stimulate the synthesis of thyroid hormones, in the same way that the TSH of the pituitary.
Toxic multinodular goiter
When little iodine is taken, or for unknown reasons, the thyroid gland increases in size to make up for this lack and capture as much iodine as possible. To grow, the cells that make up the gland multiply; growth sometimes gets out of control, with each cell forming nodules that make thyroid hormones on its own without regulation.
Toxic adenoma
It usually occurs within a multinodular goiter. A nodule further uncontrolled is cell division and undergoes mutations that make it easier to start synthesizing uncontrolled thyroid hormones as if an extra thyroid gland were formed.
Thyroiditis
A viral infection causes inflammation of the thyroid gland, which expels all the stores of thyroid hormones it contains and causes a sudden increase in the blood. It has a fever and pain in the jaw or ear.
Other causes of hyperthyroidism
The excess iodine may cause hyperthyroidism, although not enough to diet. For this to happen is large quantities necessary, which usually come from medication administration or the use of diagnostic tests using iodine.
Rare is also possible is ovarian struma, a type of ovarian cancer made up of cells capable of producing uncontrolled thyroid hormones.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
In general, people affected by hyperthyroidism experience increased arousal in all their organs and systems. These alterations occur little by little, so at first, they can be attributed to stress and nervousness.
In the elderly, however, hyperthyroidism can manifest itself only with tiredness, weight loss, and depression; it’s called listless hyperthyroidism, and it’s harder to detect. At other times the symptoms appear suddenly in their maximum intensity. This is what is known as a “thyroid storm”.
The most important symptoms of hyperthyroidism are:
- Weight loss: the patient’s global metabolism is increased to consume more energy even without exercising. The feeling of hunger, however, increases, and you want to eat more and more often.
- Hyperactivity: the mental state is altered, and patients are restless, wanting to do many activities continuously, even if it is not the right time. This is added insomnia, so it is normal that when the disease has been established for a while, the patient feels fatigued but continues to be nervous.
- Lack of concentration: any external stimulus (a small sound, lights from appliances, etc.) distracts the hyperthyroid’s attention. This is of special importance in adolescents at study time.
- Irritability and mood swings.
- Fine tremor: the nervous and muscular systems are hyperstimulated, even at rest. It is easy to observe a tremor in the hands when the arms are extended (easier to see if you put a sheet of paper on it).
- Exophthalmos: that is, bulging eyes or “look of astonishment. “It occurs for two reasons: first, the muscles and fat behind the eye become inflamed, pushing the eye outward; second, the muscles that open the eyelids are hyperaroused and cause the eye to be always wide open.
- Muscle weakness: the lack of muscle relaxation leads to loss of strength and increases fatigue.
- Palpitations and tachycardia: the heart beats faster, and the pulse is stronger. If the patient had a heart problem before, it is common that it now worsens and, on occasions, requires hospitalization to be able to control it. It is also common to appear cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.
- Increased sweating: the skin is always hot and humid; hyper thyroids do not tolerate heat well, even complaining of heat when the actual temperature is not high.
- Itching and redness of the palms of the hands.
- Brittle hair: hair becomes fine and brittle. 40% of patients continue with diffuse alopecia for a few months after healing.
Increased intestinal rhythm: like the rest of the organs, the digestive tract is overstimulated, and intestinal transit is faster. Therefore, the frequency of defecations increases, sometimes with diarrhea.
