Hyperactive Thyroid Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Hyeractive thyroid is characterized by the over production of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones are necessary for the regulation of body's metabolism. When the thyroid secretes too much hormone, the body reacts with the following symptoms:

Conditions that cause hyperactive thyroid:

The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormone in response to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland, which is released in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus in the brain. Hyperthyroidism, also known as thyrotoxicosis, is usually the result of difficulties with the thyroid gland.

Graves disease: An autoimmune disease of the overactive thyroid characterized by the immune system attacking the thyroid, resulting in an over production of thyroid hormone.

Subacute Thyroiditis: A condition in which the thyroid gland secretes a large amount of thyroid hormone, goes through a hypothyroid state, then returns to normal activity.

Other conditions may include:

• Solitary or multinodular toxic goiters


• Excessive iodine in the blood


• Dermoid tumors in the ovary producing struma ovarii (thyroid hormone)


• Molar pregnancy - A mass of tissue (hydatidiform mole) that forms an abnormal placenta inside the uterus


• Choriocarcinoma - Is a malignant, trophoblastic and aggressive cancer, usually of the placenta.

Eating beef contaminated with thyroid tissue can also cause hyperactive thyroid, as well as anti-arrhythmic drugs such as Amiodarone.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

• Goiter


• Difficulty breathing or swallowing


• Weight loss


• Irregular heart beats


• Hand tremor


• Feeling overly tired


• Heat intolerance


• Polyuria (increased urination)


• Diarrhea


• Increased perspiration


• Anxiety


• Dry eyes


• Proptosis (bulging eyeballs)


• Irregular menstrual cycles


• Tender breasts or erectile dysfunction in men

Treatment for overactive thyroid:

Hyperactive thyroid is treated depending on the cause. When overactivity is the cause, antithyroid medications such as propylthiouracil and methimazole are used. These drugs inhibit the production of thyroid hormone, resulting in a decreased hormone levels in the blood.

Surgical or partial removal of the thyroid, or radioactive iodine to kill thyroid tissue. Other options include propanolol to decrease heart rate, as well as iodine to treat of thyroid storm. Thyroid storm is an emergency and life threatening event characterized by:

• Fever


• Rapid heart rate


• Nausea/vomiting


• Diarrhea


• Irregular heart beat


• Weakness


• Heart failure


• Confusion/disorientation

Treatment for thyroid storm involves decreasing thyroid hormone levels and inhibiting hormone production, by administering PTU and methimazole. Sodium iodide, potassium iodide and/or Lugol's solution can be given to slow hormone release from the thyroid. Propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA) helps in controlling the heart rate. Additionally, IV administration of steroids help support the circulatory system.

Thyroid storm at one time was one hundred percent fatal, but with the advent of improved treatment, fatality is currently approximately twenty percent.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is marked by low TSH level, however, T4 thyroid hormone levels may be normal with slight to no signs of hyperthyroidism. This condition can be treated or monitored, depending on the severity of the disease.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT