Hyperthyroidism

Definition

Hyperthyroidism is also known as Graves' disease, von Basedow's disease, or thyrotoxicosis and it is a metabolic imbalance that may be occur from thyroid hormone overproduction. In which, the most common form of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. Because, it increases thyroxine production, enlarges the thyroid gland, and it may also causes multiple system changes. If you will use treatment for this disease, then patients may lead to normal lives. But, if left untreated, then it may lead to a thyroid storm such as an acute exacerbation of hyperthyroidism that constitutes a medical emergency that can lead to life threatening cardiac, hepatic, or renal failure.

Causes of Hyperthyroidism

It is usually associated with other autoimmune endocrinopathies. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder and it may be occur by the production of auto antibodies that attach to and then stimulate thyroid hormone receptors on the thyroid gland. A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland and it may be occur due to result of increased stimulation or a response to increased metabolic demand. Pituitary tumors with TSH producing cells are rare, as is hypothalamic disease causing thyroid releasing hormone excess, thyrotoxicosis may result from both genetic and immunologic factors including and it may be causes due to various factors such as:

• Increased incidence in monozygotic twins
• Occasional coexistence with other endocrine abnormalities, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroiditis, and hyperparathyroidism
• Defect in suppressor T-lymphocyte function permitting production of autoantibodies
• Clinical thyrotoxicosis precipitated by excessive dietary intake of iodine or, possibly, stress
• Stress, such as surgery, infection. toxemia of pregnancy, or diabetic ketoacidosis, can precipitate thyroid storm
• Medications, such as lithium and amiodarone
• Toxic nodules or tumors

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Enlarged thyroid
• Nervousness
• Heat intolerance and sweating
• Weight loss despite increased appetite
• Frequent bowel movements
• Tremor and palpitations
• Exophthalmos

Other common symptoms of this disease include:

• Central nervous system difficulty concentrating due to accelerated cerebral function; excitability or nervousness caused by increased basal metabolic rate from T 4; fine tremor, and clumsiness from increased activity in the spinal cord area that controls muscle tone.
• Integumentary system
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Gastrointestinal system excessive oral intake with weight loss; nausea and vomiting due to increased GI motility and peristalsis, increased defecation, soft stools or, in severe disease, diarrhea, liver enlargement

Possible complications of hyperthyroidism include:

• Muscle wasting, atrophy, and paralysis
• Visual loss or diplopia
• Heart failure, arrhytlmias
• Hypoparathyroidism after surgical removal of thyroid

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

If you have this disease, then you should be use Possible treatment such as:

• For the treatment of this disease, you should use the primary forms of therapy include antithyroid drugs.
• Another appropriate treatment depends on severity of thyrotoxicosis, causes, patient age and parity.
• Antithyroid therapy includes antithyroid drugs for children, young adults, pregnant women, and patients who refuse surgery. Antithyroid drugs are preferred in patients with new-onset Graves' disease because of spontaneous remission in many of these patients and they're also used to correct the thyrotoxic state in preparation for treatment or surgery.