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Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid produces hormones which effect the body's energy level and metabolism. Thyroid problems are among the commonest medical disorders, but due to their symptoms often appearing gradually, they are commonly misdiagnosed.
The most common cause of overactive thyroid is Graves' disease, this occurs when the body's immune system over-stimulates the thyroid. Patients often complain of feeling hot, nervousness, irritability, jitteriness, shaking, palpitation, loss of weight, fatigue, feeling exhausted, more frequent bowel movements and shorter or lighter menstrual periods. Some physical findings may include hyperkinesis, warm moist skin, a prominent stare, eye irritation, bulging of the eyes and occasionally, double vision or loss of vision (involvement of the eyes is called Graves' Ophthalmopathy).
Once diagnosed there are several methods of treatment, the most popular method is radioactive iodine. Because the thyroid is the only organ in the body that takes up and uses iodine, when a dose of radioactive iodine is given the radiation enters the thyroid and destroys part of it. The main side effect is development of an underactive thyroid which is then treated accordingly. Medications can also be used for treatment, these slow down the working thyroid and restore normal levels. They usually need to be taken for 6-12 months and 60-80% of patients have a relapse when they stop taking them. Surgical removal of part of the thyroid is occasionally used as a treatment
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