How to Identify the Signs of Hyperthyroidism

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1Noticing the Signs of Hyperthyroidism

2Identifying Types of Hyperthyroidism

3Seeking Medical Help for Suspected Hyperthyroidism

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Research suggests that hyperthyroidism can speed up your metabolism, which typically causes rapid heart rate and unplanned weight loss. Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland, which is in your neck, produces more hormones than your body needs. Experts agree that hyperthyroidism may effect your entire body, so it's important to get treatment. Talk to your doctor if you're worried you may have hyperthyroidism because it's a treatable condition.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Noticing the Signs of Hyperthyroidism

1. 
   1
   Identify the general symptoms that can come with hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is known for producing specific symptoms in those it affects; however, these symptoms may also indicate other medical conditions. You'll need to visit with your doctor to learn more about your specific condition to properly diagnose a case of hyperthyroidism. To help you talk with your doctor about possible instances of hyperthyroidism, look for these following symptoms:

   • Rapid weight loss
   • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
   • Unusual feelings of hunger
   • Feeling nervous, anxious or aggravated
   • Small tremors in the hands
   • Swelling at the base of your neck
   • Poor sleep
   • Unusually frequent bowel movements
   • Fragile skin, fingernails or hair
2. 
   2
   Look for unusual symptoms. Although most cases of hyperthyroidism will be accompanied with common symptoms, some cases may present less common symptoms. Knowing what these unusual symptoms are can help you work with your doctor to discover if you have hyperthyroidism. Take a look at some of these less common symptoms and discuss them with your doctor to learn more:

   • Males developing breasts
   • Itchy skin
   • Diarrhea
   • Nausea
   • Vomiting
   • Clammy skin or blushing
   • Weakness in hips or shoulders
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3. 
   3
   Learn when the symptoms of hyperthyroidism might be hidden. It's possible for a person to have hyperthyroidism and not display any obvious symptoms. You'll need to have your doctor run detailed tests to look for hyperthyroidism if you believe you have this disorder and are asymptomatic. The main groups of people that could have asymptomatic hyperthyroidism are:

   • Seniors and older adults
   • Individuals taking beta-blockers
4. 
   4
   Know when to see a doctor. Generally, hyperthyroidism isn't noticeable in its early stages and will need to be diagnosed by a doctor; however, hyperthyroidism may present some more serious symptoms that will need to be quickly addressed. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible:

   • Swelling at the base of your neck
   • Rapid heartbeat
   • Abnormal sweating
   • Rapid and unexplained heartbeat
   • A sudden and extreme worsening of any typical symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Identifying Types of Hyperthyroidism

1. 
   1
   Be aware of symptoms associated with Grave's ophthalmopathy. Grave's ophthalmopathy is a form of hyperthyroidism that has different symptoms from regular hyperthyroidism. It is possible to have Grave's ophthalmopathy without having developed any other form of hyperthyroidism. You'll want to report any of the following symptoms to your doctor so that your treatment will be appropriate for this type of hyperthyroidism:

   • Eyeballs that are visibly protruding from your eye-sockets
   • Eyes that are red or swollen
   • Discomfort and excessive tearing in the eyes
   • Inflammation in the eyes
   • Slowed eye movement
   • Sensitivity to light
   • Blurry, fuzzy, or doubled vision
2. 
   2
   Learn more about thyroid nodules. Thyroid nodules are generally harmless, small lumps that grow within your thyroid. These lumps will often times be unnoticed and won't cause any health issues; however, sometimes thyroid nodules may grow large enough to cause issues with your thyroid. To help you learn if you might have thyroid nodules, look for some of these common symptoms:

   • Thyroid nodules may become large enough to see, feel or cause restrictions in your breathing.
   • You may notice the general symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These can include sudden weight loss, tremors, nervousness or irregular heartbeats.
3. 
   3
   Be aware of thyroiditis. Thyroiditis is a condition in which a person's thyroid becomes inflamed, resulting from infection or other immune system problems. This inflammation can make the thyroid function irregularly, causing the following common symptoms to become noticeable:

   • Having an enlarged and firm thyroid
   • Pain ranging from the thyroid up to the ears or jaw
   • Slowed pulse rate
   • Slowed reflexes
   • Loss of appetite
   • Swelling around the eyes
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Seeking Medical Help for Suspected Hyperthyroidism

1. 
   1
   Learn more about the complications of hyperthyroidism. Although many cases of hyperthyroidism can be treated and resolved, some more serious cases can result in complications. These complications can have an effect on the quality of a person's life and may be quite serious in some cases. Learning which complications may arise from hyperthyroidism can help you prepare for them and know what to discuss with your doctor.

   • Issues with the heart may occur; however, many of these problems can be reversed with treatment.
   • Untreated hyperthyroidism may result in brittle bones.
   • Eye problems and vision loss may occur if hyperthyroidism is left untreated.
   • Symptoms may suddenly worsen, resulting in a serious condition know as thyrotoxic crisis.
2. 
   2
   Discover some of the treatments used for hyperthyroidism. If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, your doctor may offer you a method to treat this disorder. Knowing more about the available treatments can help you and your doctor learn which one is right for you. Review these common methods of treatment for hyperthyroidism to learn more before your appointment:

   • Antithyroid medications can help reduce the excessive amounts of thyroid hormones in your body.
   • Radioactive iodine will attack the overactive sections of your thyroid and return it to normal levels of activity.
   • In rare and severe cases of hyperthyroidism, surgery may be required to remove the thyroid.
   • Your doctor may issue other drugs to help reduce the symptoms caused by hyperthyroidism.
3. 
   3
   Learn more about the tests your doctor may perform. There are many tests that your doctor can use to learn more about the health of your thyroid. These tests can reveal if your thyroid is functioning properly or if it is overactive. Learning more about the tests your doctor may use can help you be prepared for your appointment and will allow you to think of questions you might want to ask. Take a moment to review some of these common tests your doctor may use to examine your thyroid:

   • Blood tests will measure your levels of thyroid hormones.
   • Iodine uptake scans will show how well your thyroid is functioning.
   • Thyroid scans will allow your doctor to take a picture of your thyroid.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How can you keep your thyroid healthy when you have Hyperthyroidism?

  

  Damaris Vega, MD
  Board Certified Endocrinologist

  Dr. Damaris Vega is a board certified Endocrinologist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a BS in General Science and subsequently earned an MD from the Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, PR. During medical school, Dr. Vega served as president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was selected as her school's representative for the American Association of Medical Colleges. She then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Mineral, and Metabolism at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Vega has been recognized for excellent patient care multiple times by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and received the Patients' Choice Award in 2008, 2009, and 2015. She is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists and is an active member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. Dr. Vega is also the founder and CEO of Houston Endocrinology Center as well as a principal investigator for multiple clinical trials at Juno Research, LLC.

  

  Damaris Vega, MD

  Board Certified Endocrinologist

  Expert Answer

  Keeping your thyroid healthy with Hyperthyroidism will depend on the causes and treatment prescribed by your doctor. A doctor may prescribe a medication called Methimazole to keep the levels under control. They may also opt for a thyroid ablation or possibly surgery. No matter the specific treatment plan, it is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid sudden weight changes that can alter the dosage of your medication. Keeping a well balanced diet, for example, is very important to feel healthy long term.

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Tips

• Typically, therapy for hyperthyroidism involves strategies to raising your TSH levels.
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