What is hyperthyroidism?

What is hyperthyroidism?

Thyrotoxicosis is a condition in which the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormone. When the body has more hormones than it needs, it becomes toxic and has effects on the body, such as weight loss despite eating more, palpitations, rapid heart and pulse, etc. Some people who have it for a long time and do not receive proper treatment may develop an irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or osteoporosis caused by higher than normal levels of calcium in the blood. Which weakens the bones and leads to osteoporosis.

Hyperthyroidism symptoms

• Palpitations, rapid and irregular pulse
• Bulging eyes, big neck
• Weight loss despite eating a lot
• Mood swings, restlessness, irritability
• tired
• Tremors, especially in the hands
• Feeling hot and sweating easily
• Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
• Having trouble sleeping
• Muscle weakness

In critical hyperthyroidism, patients will have symptoms of an abnormally fast heartbeat, fever over 38 degrees Celsius, vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the body and eyes, severe confusion, dehydration, and possible shock. In addition, some patients who are detect late may have symptoms of myocardial ischemia or heart failure. Caused by a rapid and irregular heartbeat.

How to do a basic thyroid test…by yourself

1. Look in the mirror, stretch your neck, and slowly turn left and right to check for any abnormalities in your neck.
2. Using the index and middle fingers of both hands, feel the neck simultaneously on each side, from back to front and from top to bottom.
3. If you find a lumpy sensation…try rolling it.
4. If you find an abnormal lump, see a doctor for a detailed diagnosis.

Hyperthyroidism: How to treat it?

Taking medication : The medication used to treat hyperthyroidism is a drug that works by reducing hormone synthesis, causing the thyroid gland to produce less hormone, the body’s metabolism to decrease, and various symptoms caused by high metabolism will disappear, such as palpitations, fatigue, weight loss, irritability, and tremors.

Most people are given medication for 1-2 years and then stopped. Some patients able to stop taking the medication without it recurring, but some patients will have hyperthyroidism again within 1 year after stopping the medication. Which can treate by taking medication or using other methods.

• The advantage of drug treatment is that it is an initial treatment with fewer side effects than other methods. The thyroid gland is not damag and hypothyroidism will not occur. When the drug is stopped.
• Disadvantages of drug treatment: The drug must adjuste to allow the glands to produce hormones at the right level. Some patients may have relapses when the drug is stop and not completely cured. A mild drug allergy may be just an itchy rash on the skin or may be severe (rare). In some patients, it may found that the drug has the effect of suppressing the white blood cell level, making it easier to get an infection. Therefore, in the first 1-2 months of taking the drug, you must see a doctor for a follow-up appointment. Especially if you have a fever, sore throat, or signs of infection, you must return to see a doctor immediately to measure the white blood cell level.