Have you heard of hyperthyroidism or know an individual who has hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland is overactive and indicates an increased metabolic rate (Blesi, Kelley-Arney, & Wise, 2012). Thyroid gland is an organ that is positioned in the front of your neck and releases hormones that control our metabolism (energy), breathing, heart rate, nervous system, weight, body temperature, and many other functions in the body and is part of the body’s endocrine system. When the thyroid gland is overactive, the body’s processes increases.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism With hyperthyroidism, individuals may experience some, but not most, of the symptoms: fatigue, muscle weakness, hand tremors, nervousness/anxiety, rapid/irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, mood swings, skin dryness, trouble sleeping, weight loss, increased frequency of bowel movements, …show more content…
The individual’s physician may also select to order either an ultrasound or a nuclear medicine scan of the thyroid to see if it has nodules, or whether it’s irritated or overactive. For the treatment, it varies on the severity and main cause of the symptoms, age, pregnancy, other conditions, and the possible side effects of the medication. The individual will be given antithyroid medications that will hinder with the production of thyroid hormones (methimazole and propylthiouracil is used only for women in their first trimester of pregnancy). They will also receive radioactive iodine therapy, which will cause harm to the cells that make thyroid hormones. In rare cases, a surgery to remove the thyroid (thyroidectomy) may be required. The physician may prescribe beta-blockers to block the effect of thyroid hormones on your body (it also helps decrease a rapid heart rate and reduce hand
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism With hyperthyroidism, individuals may experience some, but not most, of the symptoms: fatigue, muscle weakness, hand tremors, nervousness/anxiety, rapid/irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, mood swings, skin dryness, trouble sleeping, weight loss, increased frequency of bowel movements, …show more content…
The individual’s physician may also select to order either an ultrasound or a nuclear medicine scan of the thyroid to see if it has nodules, or whether it’s irritated or overactive. For the treatment, it varies on the severity and main cause of the symptoms, age, pregnancy, other conditions, and the possible side effects of the medication. The individual will be given antithyroid medications that will hinder with the production of thyroid hormones (methimazole and propylthiouracil is used only for women in their first trimester of pregnancy). They will also receive radioactive iodine therapy, which will cause harm to the cells that make thyroid hormones. In rare cases, a surgery to remove the thyroid (thyroidectomy) may be required. The physician may prescribe beta-blockers to block the effect of thyroid hormones on your body (it also helps decrease a rapid heart rate and reduce hand