Ifoundme's Weblog

people have been asking what hyperthyroidism is and it has become a habit to explain it over and over. to those who don’t know about this, here are some points about this endocrine disorder. books say that it is 2nd to diabetes mellitus in terms of prevalence.

function: thyroid gland regulates our METABOLISM

main problem: over production of the thyroid hormones (T4 and T3)

causes:

1. autoimmune – patient’s own immune system attacks the patient’s own thyroid gland
2. excessive intake of thyroid hormomes
3. thyroiditis – inflammation of the thyroid gland
4. abnormal secretion of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) by the pituitary gland

signs and symptoms:

• heat intolerance
• breathlessness
• palpitations
• nervousness, anxiety, irritability
• increased bowel movement
• fatigue
• amenorrhea
• insomnia
• weight loss
• light hand tremors
• muscle weakness
• exophthalmus – bulging of the eyes
• thinning of bones

diagnostic test result: increased t3 & t4 and normal or decreased tsh

treatment:

• beta blockers – does not cure hyperthyroidism or decrease the amount of the thyroid hormones produced. rather, they prevent the symptoms from occuring
• anti-thyroid drugs – examples are methimazole or PTU (propylthiuracil). they interfere with the ability of the thyroid gland to produce its hormones
• radioactive iodine treatment – the thyroid gland is the only gland that absorbs iodine. so in this case, radioactive kind of iodine is given. when it is absorbed by the thyroid gland, it gives off some kind of “poison” to the gland, thus, some cells end up damaged or killed.
• surgery

self care:

• supplementary diet for weight loss, frequent bowel movement and muscle wasting. so people with hyperthyroidism have to eat, eat and eat
• extra calcium – to prevent bone thinning and osteoporosis
• cold compress, head elevation during sleep, eye lubrication and wear sunglasses – enough reason to be cool but seriously these are just ways to prevent the patient from going blind

so there you have it.